I would like to hear some experience with Man Lifts, both straight and knuckle boom, or Articulating Lifts. Here is a tile roof cleaning we recently did up in Ocala Florida, north of Tampa. The lift we used was a 45 foot articulating kind.
-- Edited by Apple Roof Cleaning at 23:04, 2008-07-29
The articulating boom lifts that I have used make the job incredibly easy. I have used two different types the self propelled are great because you don't have to get down to move them but are a bit more expensive to rent and they have to be delivered.
The tow behind ones are nice because they are a bit more compact and can be moved into some tighter areas. The problem is once you are out of reach you have to get down to move them slowing down job progress.
SOME use a power washer on tile roofs. We clean roofs in tampa chemically, but power washing has it's place. Sometimes, there is a zillion dollars worth of landscaoing. Many tile roof customers do not want to risk chemical cleaning,, and some are just too cheap.
We used to powerwash roofs, Sometimes the landscaping is worth more than my house. LOL. We have decided to pass on those houses. There is always another one out there. Let some hack PW it. I'll go after the ones that are not at risk.
I hear ya. One lady wanted to SUE us because we had to cut a Hibiscus back that was growing 6 feet over her house.
Hey Chris, we had the same problem up here in Palm Harbor, we had a customer that wanted his 8000 sq ft roof cleaned without us walking on it.
We brought in our lift truck and secured the job at a higher price than our competition. We finally broke down and bought a lift truck last year, we have been using it ever since, great addition as you said to the equipment.
-- Edited by Palm Harbor FL Roof Cleaning at 17:52, 2008-10-01
-- Edited by Palm Harbor FL Roof Cleaning at 17:53, 2008-10-01
A lift truck is a great asset to a roof cleaner. Sometimes, the only way to clean a roof IS with a lift mechanism of some kind. One customer had a two story on the waterfront, on stilts! He actually expected us to spray it from a 40 ft ladder. Wind was blowing, and ladder barely reached the edge of the roof. No way I told him. I told him we needed a lift, and he cheaped out. Another roof cleaner was hired, and he fell. He was hurt real bad, a roof cleaner out of Bradenton. He broke several ribs, and his hip. He will never be the same.
I've only had to use a lift on a few jobs. A couple have been for Tile Roof Cleaning In Clearwater Florida and another one that I need one for all the time is for a job we do every year putting up and taking down hurricane shutters for a company in Largo Florida. I may be using one very soon for another big job in Saint Petersburg Florida. Waiting to see if I get that one. I'll post pics If I get it.
Hey Larry, I know this is a year old post but I am curious as to why you had a lift on this tile roof? It looks walkable, did they not want any foot traffic?
If you saw the Roof in person you would see that it is actually pretty steep in some areas. Also I had areas to reach that I never would have been able to get with a ladder or be able to walk on. Even if I could have walked it I don't thing I would have wanted to. The tiles are over 25yrs old and many are already cracked just from age. thats why they look worn too.
Seems like the driveable lifts are way too heavy and would rut a well sprinkled yard. Also, how do you position a lift truck anywhere but the driveway? Seems like a tow-behind is the ticket, but what do I know? Bil jax makes a very small tow behind (model 2622T) that operates to 32 ft. Only weighs 2800 lbs and will pass through a 6ft gate. A manlift that small obviously won't lift far enough to treat both sides of a 2-story house from the front, and many houses have breezeways and other obstructions. That biljax seems like it would pass under a breezeway. I'm still learning, but liking the concept.
Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa FL (813) 655-8777 wrote:
SOME use a power washer on tile roofs. We clean chemically, but power washing has it's place. Sometimes, there is a zillion dollars worth of landscaoing. Many tile roof customers do not want to risk chemical cleaning,, and some are just too cheap.
Chris, if they are too cheap, then they don't get it done at all? Isn't pw more expensive than chemical cleaning?
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Ada Mobile Wash
2694 Ashville Dr. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
616-285-8115
kennethpaul@vzw.blackberry.net
Roof Washing Exterior House Cleaning Grand Rapids, MI
Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa FL (813) 655-8777 wrote:
SOME use a power washer on tile roofs. We clean chemically, but power washing has it's place. Sometimes, there is a zillion dollars worth of landscaoing. Many tile roof customers do not want to risk chemical cleaning,, and some are just too cheap.
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Chris, if they are too cheap, then they don't get it done at all? Isn't pw more expensive than chemical cleaning?
No, power washing is cheaper, because they dont need a ground man, and use mostly water, not roof cleaning chemicals! We do not suggest power washing any roof, but some customers cant put up with ONE yellow leaf, or blade of grass. So, ,let them get their roofs ruined ....
Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa FL (813) 655-8777 wrote:
KP Diamond wrote:
Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa FL (813) 655-8777 wrote:
SOME use a power washer on tile roofs. We clean chemically, but power washing has it's place. Sometimes, there is a zillion dollars worth of landscaoing. Many tile roof customers do not want to risk chemical cleaning,, and some are just too cheap.
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Chris, if they are too cheap, then they don't get it done at all? Isn't pw more expensive than chemical cleaning?
No, power washing is cheaper, because they dont need a ground man, and use mostly water, not roof cleaning chemicals! We do not suggest power washing any roof, but some customers cant put up with ONE yellow leaf, or blade of grass. So, ,let them get their roofs ruined ....
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They can't possibly compete on non-walkable roofs can they? It seems pw those would be way too labor Intensive.
__________________
Â
Ada Mobile Wash
2694 Ashville Dr. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
616-285-8115
kennethpaul@vzw.blackberry.net
Roof Washing Exterior House Cleaning Grand Rapids, MI