Bok Tower Gardens Utilizes Wet and Forget to Spruce Up National Historic Landmark in Central Florida
Wet & Forget Case Study
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Built 80 years ago, Bok Tower Gardens, a National Historic Landmark located in Lake Wales, Florida, was created by the late Edward Bok—editor of Ladies’ Home Journal and Pulitzer Prize-winning author. With a host of beautiful landscapes, the meandering garden is one of the greatest achievements of famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. and features tranquil resting places, shady recesses and picturesque vistas. Additionally, the Bok Tower Gardens is home to the 205-foot Neo Gothic and art deco Singing Tower carillon, one of the world’s finest carillons.
Situation Analysis
The Visitor Center at the Bok Tower Gardens was originally built in 1996 and the 50,000 square foot roof hadn’t been cleaned for 11 years, since it was constructed. With such a sprawling space to clean, Christopher Lutton, facility manager of Bok Tower Gardens, was faced with a daunting challenge—to clean the roof.
But, the size of the roof was not the only issue. The roof was comprised of fragile, concrete S-style Spanish roof tiles. This meant traditional pressure washing could invite physical damage to the tiles from a 100 foot length of heavy pulsing pressure hose. Plus, concrete tiles can be damaged from the spray removing material and pitting the tiles. Additionally, this type of roof tile tends to accumulate a lot of dirt, meaning a cleaning solution was needed as soon as possible.
“When I started the search I knew I needed a solution that would help me easily clean the entire roof, which I thought might be a challenge because the roof was so big,” said Lutton. “Naturally, I thought we were going to have to invest in an expensive solution or hire someone for the job. After initial investigation, both options proved to be somewhat costly so I continued my search.”
The Path to a Solution
After extensive research, Lutton came across an environmentally-gentle, non-abrasive exterior cleaning solution called Wet & Forget, which has been used in Australia and New Zealand for the last 30 years.
The first Wet & Forget test was conducted in 2007 on a 15’ by 15’ patch of the roof using a one gallon pump sprayer. Lutton said he did not revisit this part of the roof for four months, and was surprised to find the test area to be surprisingly clean of the black mildew. “This is what peaked my interest in the product,” said Lutton. “Almost a year after the test application, I was impressed that so much time had passed and that test area of the roof was still clean.”
Bok Tower Gardens placed their first order for Wet & Forget in 2008 and applied the solution to the entire Visitor Center roof in sections using a 30 gallon tank to mix the solution with a 12 volt battery operated pump and 100 feet of 3/8” tubing. The tubing does not abrade the roof tiles. Our initial application was at a 1:3 concentration because of the 11 years of mildew accumulation.
Lutton has been using the product ever since and has also used it to clean the vertical walls throughout the grounds, as well as the river stone sidewalk. “This is a flat, stoned area that was particularly difficult to clean because the stones get wet regularly and are situated next to plant beds that slow the water runoff,” said Lutton. “To our pleasant surprise, the sidewalk was cleaned after application and there was no damage to the surrounding plants.”
Since initial use, Lutton now only needs to clean the roof once a year, which has helped to lower their overall maintenance costs. He particularly likes that he can easily clean the roof during hours of operation without worry. “The spray pump allows for easy application and eliminates the potential for damage to the roof tile. Plus, the roof stays clean longer, which allows us to focus on other maintenance issues. The next application we plan to decrease the concentration ratio to 1:5 which will reduce the cost of the product almost in half.”
Lutton plans to use the product on Pinewood House, a historic mansion located on the grounds, because it is made from colored stucco. “This material is known to be hard to clean and can potentially be damaged when cleaned with chemicals, making Wet & Forget a good candidate for the job.”
About Wet & Forget:
Used for more than 30 years in both New Zealand and Australia, Wet & Forget is an environmentally-gentle, scrub free; non-caustic, non-acidic cleaner that safely removes mold, moss, mildew and algae stains from a wide range of outdoor surfaces. Its bleach-free, biodegradable formula has a pH level close to neutral, making it safe to use on virtually any outdoor surface. Wet & Forget is applied with one application using a simple pump garden sprayer and requires no scrubbing, rinsing or pressure washing. Once applied, the wind and rain take care of the rest. For more information, visit wetandforget.com.
Image courtesy of Flickr user @mbrannon
How does the product work? Why is it non-toxic. Yes, I’ve read all the literature…but is it herbal, bioloical, extract oriented. Don’t give away your trade secrets but please give more information than just “organic”.
Hi Suzie,
Thanks for your inquiry! Wet & Forget is a gentle product that has a pH of 8. Other common cleaning materials such as bleach or TSP have much higher pH levels (between 11 and 13), making them harmful to surfaces they are used on. With a pH of 8, Wet & Forget is almost neutral (pH 7) which is why you can use it on any outdoor surface where you have moss, mold, mildew or algae and no rinsing is needed.
Wet & Forget is also biodegradable and once dried is safe for people and pets to be on the treated surfaces. If you have any further questions or concerns, please let us know.
I scoured the FAQ trying to find more information on the effects Wet & Forget may or may not have on painted/coated/treated surfaces.
Have there been any case studies done to show whether or not this product will affect paint/finishes/treatments when applied?
I represent a growing surface treatment contractor and am considering undertaking the case study on my own behalf to know if there are any liability factors involved.
Hi Raydon,
Thanks for your inquiry. Wet & Forget is safe to use on all surfaces including painted, treated or stained surfaces. To see before and after photos where Wet & Forget has been used on some of these surfaces, you can click on the below link which will take you to the photo gallery on our website:
Photo Gallery
Wet & Forget Moss, Mold, Mildew & Algae Stain Remover is a great gentle alternative to power washing or bleaching surfaces. It has a pH of 8, which means it will not harm outdoor surfaces that you use it on. We always like to hear from our customers about their experience with Wet & Forget, so once you try it out, let us know how it goes.
We have published two case studies and one testimonial from commercial users. They are linked below. If you have any further questions or concerns, please let us know. Thank you!
Bok Tower Gardens
New Zealand Department of Conservation
Taronga Zoo (Sydney, Australia)
How about coral tiles around a pool deck? These tiles are fragile and cannot tolerate any harsh chemicals or power washing.
Hi Melody,
Thanks for writing in with your question. Yes, you can use Wet & Forget on pool decks or surrounds. Wet & Forget is a gentle product with a pH of 8. It does not contain bleach or harsh cleaning chemicals. This means you can use it around your pool area on delicate surfaces because it will not harm or discolor any outdoor surface.
We recommend keeping pets and people out of the area when you apply Wet & Forget and while it dries (about 4-5 hours after). Once the Wet & Forget has dried, people and pets can be in the area and use the pool. Here is a link to a blog article we have that talks more about using Wet & Forget around your pool. If you have any further questions or concerns, please let us know.
Thank you!
How can I get it to high locations on the house without using a pressure washer?
Hi Tom,
Thanks for contacting us with your question. If a pump up garden sprayer will not meet your needs, there are backpack sprayers available at your local hardware store that you can use. If you have access to a commercial agricultural sprayer, or tank sprayer with an attached motor that can reach higher areas, that will work as well.
Using a power washer is not ideal, but it can be done if you dilute the Wet & Forget in a large, separate container first. Then put the hose for the incoming water source into the container of mixed solution instead of hooking it up to your water connection. This option is not the best because you will run through the Wet & Forget mixture pretty quickly as it is pulled through the pressure washer. If you have any further questions or concerns, please let us know.
CAN I USE TO SPOT CLEAN ON MY SHOWER DOOR?
Hi Rudy,
Thanks for contacting us with your question. Wet & Forget is specifically formulated for outdoor use only. We would not recommend using it indoors on your shower door, since it needs contact with the wind and rain to work properly. If you have any further questions, please let us know. Thank you!
Hi,
I have used your product on my patio and was impressed.
Questionson use with my 34 foot figerglass sailboat.
Is it safe to use on fiberglass gel coat on boats?
Will it remove polish, change the glass color or tint?
Can I us it on sunbrella fabric on the boat?
Is it safe to use on sails…made of dacron sail fabric
Any issues with use on or around aluminum, stainless steel, nylon ropes, teak and finishes such as varnish and Cetol?
Any issues with overspay or run off in waters?
Thanks for the help,
Bob
Hi Bob,
Thanks for contacting us with your question. Yes, you can use Wet & Forget Moss, Mold, Mildew & Algae Stain Remover on any part of your boat. It will not damage or harm any of the surfaces, finishes, seals or coatings. You can also use it on the Sunbrella fabric. In fact, we have manufacturers of expensive sails in New Zealand that use our product to clean their sails when they have issues with moss, mold and mildew. We do recommend you follow our label instructions for applying Wet & Forget near waterways. It is best to apply Wet & Forget when the boat is out of the water. If you have any further questions, let us know!
am interested in trying `wet and forget on grave monuments.
Is that doable??
Hi Fran,
Thanks for contacting us with your question. Yes, you can use Wet & Forget to clean mold and mildew from grave monuments. We have had many of our customers use Wet & Forget for this purpose because it is a gentle product with a pH of 8 that will not harm even the oldest and most delicate stones and monuments. It works gently over time with the wind and rain to remove mold and mildew. If you would like to read more about how one of our customers used Wet & Forget to clean up the gravestones at their local cemetery, here is a link: A Wonderful Letter From Ray In Missouri
If you have any further questions, please let us know. Thank you!
Hi
Is Wet and Forget suitable to use under the eves of a house?
Will it be exposed to the weather enough to work?
Thanks, Jane
Hi Jane,
Thanks for writing in! Yes, you can use Wet & Forget on areas that are not exposed to the rain, such as under the eaves of a house. You will need to assist the cleaning process by spraying the area down with your garden hose or sprayer every 1 or 2 weeks. This will simulate natural rainfall and keep the Wet & Forget cleaning process going.
Hi
I am interested in Wet & Forget to use in cleaning my asphalt shingled roof. I haven’t seen much about its possible effects on the surrounding shrubs at the foundation line. Are they safe as is, or must I cover the shrubs first to prevent contact from roof drips etc?
Hi Joe,
Thanks for writing in with your question. Wet & Forget will definately work on your asphalt shingle roof. With regards to plants or landscaping in the surrounding area, we recommend covering them or rinsing them with clear water before and after you apply the Wet & Forget. That way, they will be protected from any overspray during the application to your roofing.
I used Wet & Forget for the first time last year. My back yard butts up to a woods and I had a green mold problem on my composite deck and surrounding areas. I tried other products, but the mold always returned. I applied Wet & Forget in the early spring and approximately two weeks later all the mold was gone. I re-applied it in the fall after all the leaves were gone and it has remained mold free. I plan on applying it again in a few weeks as well as traeting my driveway and front porch. This is really a excellent product.
Thanks for contacting us about your experience with Wet & Forget! You’re absolutely right, Wet & Forget is a product that actually works! Good to hear you’re finding new applications, you can use Wet & Forget on any exterior surface!
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