Taking marks out of concrete driveway

[mikewhite85]

We did a pretty big Ash removal in a front yard last week. We precariously lowered a lot of stuff that was over the driveway to avoid cracking the concrete. We did, however, put some brown and green scuffs in it from dragging branches. The HO called me yesterday and was somewhat upset about it. I guess you can't please everybody but I do want to make it right with him. I haven't ever had someone complain about this before. Just wondering if you guys have had any experience with this and what's the best way to get the scuffs out? A hose, scrubber brush, and simple green??

 

[MHouse1028]

Can you get your hands on a pressure washer, should take it off, Customers will always find something to complain about, good man trying to make it right

 

[Blakesmaster]

Pressure washer for sure. Don't use simple green of any other cleaning products as you'll only end up making the driveway a different (cleaner) shade where you apply them. The rain will clear things up in a few sprinkles but it sounds like this HO is a PITA and you might want to correct the "problem". On super nice driveways I always put down plywood in every area that we'll be working. Some food for thought for the future.

 

[Knotwiser]

Mike

Explain to the H.O. that the marks will disappear in time after scrubbing. Just need a lot of sunny days which is not happing right now.

 

[Sdh1218]

Pressure washer but as said above watch out for cleaning to well then th HO will complain and you will have to clean the whole thing.

 

[mikewhite85]

Pressure washer! Thanks for the help that's a good idea. I will borrow my father in laws.

 

[ForTheArborist]

That must have been a really fantastic property for them to complain about the streaks.

 

[superjunior]

another vote on the pressure washer and plywood for setting pics (or lowering - whichever) on nice driveways and lawns.

 

[tomsteve]

i sure hope they dont complain about ya hookin up to their water. when ya do it, start wit the p.w. running at low r.p.m's. kick it up if low r.p.m's doesnt work. i say this as theres no sense in using it at full r.p.m.s iffen it'll get cleaned at lower, then end up having to do the whole driveway as the h.o. nags about a really clean spot.

 

[superjunior]

That must have been a really fantastic property for them to complain about the streaks.

Some people are ANAL about their property. We have a customer that we can't bring equipment into the yard, we can't even walk across the lawn.. We have to walk through the beds (and re-rake the mulch after the job is done) and drag everything into the street to the chipper. Multi million dollar property and the people are pricks! I charge them through the nose tho so it is what it is..

 

[ForTheArborist]

That's kind of a good deal then. Mike has to go spend more time and money with his people. Particle boards a good idea. I'm keeping that one. I'm all about keeping those driveways and walkways spotless like they were the floors in the house. HO's have basically no idea what is going on except the tree is gone or not, but the first thing they can figure out after the work is if the ground or concrete works are worse than what they were before we got there.

 

[TreEmergencyB]

Pressure washer! Thanks for the help that's a good idea. I will borrow my father in laws.

be careful not to get to close to the driveway with the sprayer head it will leave clean streaks and you'll have to do the whole driveway

 

[chief116]

Scuff marks

Guess you've gotten the point by now, but the pressure washer should work for you. I use a log and log truck on an almost daily basis to sweep up driveways, streets, and lawns. Sometimes it leaves brown or green marks, and within a couple of good rainstorms, theres no marks to speak of. Pressure washer should accelerate that process.

 

[treemandan]

We did a pretty big Ash removal in a front yard last week. We precariously lowered a lot of stuff that was over the driveway to avoid cracking the concrete. We did, however, put some brown and green scuffs in it from dragging branches. The HO called me yesterday and was somewhat upset about it. I guess you can't please everybody but I do want to make it right with him. I haven't ever had someone complain about this before. Just wondering if you guys have had any experience with this and what's the best way to get the scuffs out? A hose, scrubber brush, and simple green??

From what I gather the problem lies in your salespitch. Ya gotta let em know that this tedious, hairy, dangerous ass work we do for them can make a guy mean. Let them know you work for a living. If they bring something like their sick obsession about their driveway at the time of the estimate then tell em what the additional cost is. Sounds like a good plow customer.

No, I really doubt I would mess with that drive. Its still in one peice? No oil, gas or blood? Job's done, vocalize your feelings to the client.... piss on it.

No, don't do that. I would say " Yeah, I am really sorry about that, we had a hell of time getting that thing down and out for what we charged you, its just some scuffs from the limbs, it shouldn't be there forever."

If you are going to something try a wire brush?

 

[jefflovstrom]

I would just sub it out. :biggrin:
Jeff

 

[mikewhite85]

Despite the complaints it did turn out to be a pretty good job for me with 4 guys (including myself) and no dump fees (I dump chips for free at a big property nearby and left the firewood on site). I made 1500 which is a good day for me as a small company (a ranger, a dated f350 dump, and 9" chipper).

We did have a couple other minor hiccups. 2 of my guys couldn't make it so in a pinch I had 2 labor ready guys come to drag brush. They ended up getting there early and knocking on the customer's door not knowing what they were supposed to do that day. He about flipped out and almost seemed like he wanted to cancel the job when my climber and I got there. I explained that they are covered by worker's comp (as my regular crew always is) and that they would only be doing the most menial tasks.

He watched all day like a hawk and was pretty nervous about the whole situation (he is an older retired gentleman who is a good guy but very concerned about details). Anyways, it came down without a hitch and was really an ideal job. Great access in the front yard and we stacked all the wood at the curb. We rigged down some pretty big chunks and had a lot of fun. Hardest part was quartering the lower spar (3'+ DBH). I actually pruned the tree with another AS member, Beastmaster, about a year ago and it still looked awesome. He wanted it out because he was concerned about it cracking his driveway so I understand his complaints about the scuff marks.

Anyways, I will probably swing by tomorrow in the AM with my father-in-laws pressure washer. No big deal. Thanks for the advice as I would not have thought of doing that. It has actually been raining pretty good all day so who knows if the marks are still even there.

In situations like this I always give the customer the benefit of the doubt. I would not let someone run over me when he is obviously wrong but when I make a mistake I try to own up to it, even when someone might be a little unfair or demanding.

Even things that aren't your fault, when responded to improperly, can really mar your reputation.