I know, this is the Roof Cleaning Institute of America, but we have non roof cleaning forums for Window Cleaning, Gutter Cleaning and Softwashing. So, I was just wondering {and I don't care} why we don't have a Pressure washing forum too? The 1st sticky could say
"RCIA DOES NOT ACCEPT PRESSURE WASHING AS A VALID FORM OF ROOF CLEANING, BUT WE ARE WELL AWARE THAT MANY MEMBERS PRESSURE WASH ALL BUT THE ROOFING ON A PROPERTY - POSTS ON PRESSURE WASHING ROOFING WILL BE DELETED"
Want to test a new "green" product on your roof? Pressure Wash it? Have a coating applied to it, so it will stay clean for 1-2 years? Or instead, be safe and stick with the Manufacturer instructions?
This keeps your roof clean for 3-5 years all by itself!
Below is the manufacturer "non-pressure" gentle dispersion and chemicals we use at
Chuck Bergman Roof Cleaning.
We know your roof is expensive and you probably don't want to have any new chemicals tested out on your roof?
Non manufacturer cleaning methods may void your roofing warranty, according to the information in their links below, so we just clean them as the manufacturer says to. Then we get no lawsuits!
The main manufacturer recommended chemical is chlorine bleach.
Is bleach truly green and eco-friendly?
Yes I would say it is. Chlorine bleach is Sodium Hypochlorite [look at the ingredients in Chlorox etc] and is made from common salt. It bio-degrades back into salt when it dries up.
Chlorine is something we all drink from our tap water, soak in it in our showers and tubs and swim in it in our pools.
AT LEAST WE ALL KNOW WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH, WHEN IT COMES TO CHLORINE. NOT SO WITH UNKNOWN CHEMICALS CALLED "GREEN"
The only real danger from chlorine, is if an unqualified roof cleaner does not care for your plants, directly below a roof edge, he can burn a line in your vegetation. We take professional precautions, before, during and after cleaning all roofs.
HERE ARE THE FACTS FROM THE MANUFACTURERS ETC: Below are the only manufacturer suggested chemicalsI have been able to find on any manufacturer website, bulletin, etc.
Some *alternative chemical users* claim "Approved" but do not supply manufacturer links to prove it.
I recently obtained one of these "Approval" letters from a roof cleaning company. It said their product was approved, but listed everything under the sun, that could void your warranty, if you use it!
The below info and links, prove how those who manufacture and warranty your roofing approve of cleaning them!
Below is a partial "cut and paste" excerpt from the above link: GAF Roofing Manufacturers, on how to clean a roof:
"If a new roof is not an option, GAF recommends cleaning the roof with a special mixture. That mixture is: 4 gallons of water, 1 gallon of bleach and 1 cup of TSP" "What NOT To Do! Do not power wash the shingles to clean the shingles. Some roof cleaning companies offer this service. However, it is not recommended."
From ARMA roofing manufacturers Association-how to clean roofing.
Below is a partial excerpt cut and pasted below from ARMA:
Algae discolorations to remove from roofing surfaces, applying a solution of chlorine bleach, trisodium phosphate, {TSP}and water. Solutions for these ingredients depend on the amount of discoloration. Solutions range to one cup TSP and 2.5 gallons each of bleach and water. First, gently disperse this solution on the roofing surface. Avoid scrubbing the surface, as this friction may loosen and remove granules. Caution! High pressure washing systems for algae removal should not be used.
Owens Corning Roofing Manufacturers say the same thing:
"USE CHLORINE and TSP" "DO NOT USE A PRESSURE WASHER"
YOU WILL NOT HEAR A PRESSURE WASHING MACHINE START UP WHEN WE CLEAN YOUR ROOF. YOU WILL NOT GET THE "BUT WE TURN THE PRESSURE WAY DOWN" STORY
We are certified roof cleaners, through the Roof Cleaning Institute of America. The RCIA is made up of professional roof cleaners, with a membership of aprox 2400.
We have also operated our pressure washing business here in Charlotte and South Sarasota County since 1989. We just don't pressure wash roofing, because it's the wrong way to do it!
Englewood 941-474-8883
Cape Haze, Placida, Rotonda 941-698-1959
Venice, Nokomis, Osprey, S. Sarasota 941-483-3673
Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, PGI 941-255-8600
-- Edited by Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 on Tuesday 27th of September 2011 05:48:05 PM
Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa FL (813) 655-8777 wrote:
Well IF the members want one, we will have one
Maybe we should create a poll Chuck?
I think more than half of us already [pressure clean, besides Non-Pressure Roof Clean. It goes hand in hand.
I see you already have a few YES votes, even without a poll and you have a YES from me too.
I know one thing, it will certainly increase our SEO!
Even though they are wrong, I still think most people who need their roof clean, think of pressure washing.
I do think it needs some thought, as I mentioned, with a sticky, that makes it clear that pressure washing is not to be promoted, in any way, as a roof cleaning method. Otherwise, it's going to be a fight club and counter productive for RCIA.
There would probably be a number of Pressure washing Supply businesses that may go for a banner ad?
{Incidently, I think you should be getting a lot more $ for vendors to advertise here?
With the SEO RCIA has and the large membership?}
I'd be a moderator for it, if you need one?I'm no computer wiz, so if it takes computer brains to moderate, maybe I couldn't do it?But I'd try?
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Serving Englewood Rotonda North Port Cape Haze Venice Port Charlotte Punta Gorda Boca Grande Charlotte and Southern Sarasota Counties in Florida.
My vote would be YES as well. We get almost as many calls for Pressure Washing / Cleaning as we do for Roof Cleaning and we perform Pressure Washing services of some kind on just about every single job that we are called on.