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How to fix chlorine damage to garage door, railings, blinds, door hardware?

Hello, I had a house washer come to clean my house to freshen up the paint etc. It was a disaster.

They used excessive chlorine despite a prior conversation where I expressed concerns about any chemicals whatsoever.

Apart from the death to the lawn and surrounding mature hedging/plants etc, there is damage to most metal finishes on the house. Construction was done 4 years ago so they were in excellent condition before.

Can anyone advise if these are possible to fix?

In terms of what they are made of:

Garage door - Milano door from Personality Garage Doors. I think it's powder coated aluminium/aluminium composite. They have changed hands and said they can't help me with any advice.

External Blind - Evaya ev80. I've asked them to clarify exactly what it's made from but I'd assume it's aluminium/aluminium composite too.

Railings - painted with Murabond bridge paint.

Door hardware - Olivari superinox satin finish.

Any advice on how to repair gratefully received.

Venetian exterior surfaceInterior surface of the VenetianGarage door

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Comments

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Siobhan7. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about chlorine damage.

In my experience, unfortunately, damage caused by excessive chlorine to surfaces like powder-coated aluminium, painted railings, and satin-finish hardware is often irreparable. Once the chlorine has eaten into the surface, causing etching, discolouration, or corrosion, it's not something that can be restored with cleaning or simple touch-ups.

Given the extent of the damage and the cost likely involved in replacing items, I’d recommend contacting the cleaner who performed the work. This seems like a case where insurance will need to be involved—either through liability insurance or potentially your own home insurance, depending on the policy.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

Siobhan7

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/48364#Comment_48364

Thanks for your reply. I feared that might be the answer. It's rather expensive to replace all of these items... the cleaning company (with a 5 star rating on google....until I leave my review I guess) won't engage with any conversation unless I pay their bill (and threatened to take it further) which is absurd given the replacement and repairs costs of the damage they've caused is at least 10x the bill based on the costs I paid in 2019 .... It is a fair trading issue? Do I engage a solicitor? I'm not sure the best course of action.

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/86258#Comment_86258

Hello @Siobhan7,

I propose drafting an email and posting pictures of the damage the cleaning products have had on your house and fittings. I suggest addressing it to the owner and general manager of the cleaning company. In this manner you will have started an email trail that you tried to engage the company in an amicable manner to try and find a resolution.

I strongly suggest trying to settle the issue with communication first, perhaps you just need to speak to the right person in the company.

Let me tag our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Nailbag

My Thoughts @Siobhan7 are exactly the same as with both @EricL and @MitchellMc

I would not attempt any form of repair work yourself as this could result in the cleaners stating you caused the damage. Definitely start by dealing with the company first. Get them to come out and inspect the damage. Record every conversation with an email to the company as to what was discussed and any outcome. This is important to keep communications clear and transparent. Plus it might be required should legal action be required. And don't leave any reviews or post on social media.

Deal only with the highest person within the company and stick to that person. Avoid leaving messages other than to call you. That way there is no 3rd hand info. You will need to get quotes on repair and replacement values for each item as that what you want/need as compensation.

Failing satisfaction with the company, try for their insurance, not yours at this stage. Then I would seek some form of legal advice due to the extend of the damage caused.

Regards Nailbag

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/48381#Comment_48381

Evening @Siobhan7

I am afraid that I agree with all @EricL , @MitchellMc and @Nailbag suggestions right down to the order and how to approach. Far better to be pushy to contact the owner of the company then atually start with Fair trading, while there is conversation there is still an opening for a resolution.

Chlorine on products especially metal is harsh. Talk, find photos of before if you can to show examples to the company or Fair trading if that dosnt work.

Its annoying that you have to but its the way to get the best possible result afterwards. 😕

Dave

Siobhan7

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/86263#Comment_86263

Thanks for the advice.

I have had conversations with the owner and documented all the damage and conversation via text with him, and he has come out and inspected, and also agreed they made a mistake on the chlorine. He sent his team back (twice) to rewash using water only - there was chlorine residue and streak marks all over the paint work on the house - some of which has improved since the water only wash, some streaks still remain and I assume have bleached the paint. They also used a chemical cleaner on some of the railings - which I asked them not to do in the first instance - which worsened the problem rather than improved it.

He says he won't do anything to help fix anything now unless I pay the $2.8k bill for the house wash (which included window cleaning in the first instance but he didn't do in the rewash so I still have dirty windows now...).

The problem I have with paying this bill is that the cost of damage is far greater than this amount. I have no assurance whatsoever that he will appropriately fix the damage once I pay that bill but he says he has no assurance I will pay the bill once he fixes the damage. So that's a stalemate. He has also threatened to take it further because I have not paid the bill. Hence why I wondered if I should go to fair trading or if I should get a lawyer involved. It's really not what I want to do. I also would prefer not to make any claim on my own insurance (if it covers others causing damage like this) because that impacts my future insurance costs.

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/108480#Comment_108480

Morning @Siobhan7

It pretty much comes down to what you want and how much you want to push for it. Sometimes we dont feel like we want the headache. Sometimes we relish atthe prospect. I find a midway approach works best. Maybe offer to pay half and then the rest once he fixes the issue? Negotiation would be far the best course.

If the fault for insurance is with others and determind as others then it wont impact your insurance.

Lawyers fees are extra on top.

Fair trading is free and available for sourcng what to do.

Dave

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