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Mitch · Guest

What works for us!

Feb 5, 2009

Sodium Hydroxide is highly corrosive, will melt the tar/asphalt from the shingles, voiding the warranty.

Not recommended by the ARMA* Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association.

http://www.asphaltroofing.org/pdf/tb_217.pdf

http://pressurewashingpro.com/questions.htm

ROOF CLEANER RECALL LINK

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml95/95130.html

Use TSP and/or isopropol alcohol instead.

-- Edited by Mike Sullivan at 16:38, 2009-02-05

Guest

Yea, leave the hydroxide out of your mix. Sodium Hydroxide is a serious degreaser and attacks the asphalt that makes the base of the shingles. I.5 gal. to 30 gal.?� How much PSI in your rinsing? We're all open to new things but hydroxide is out.

Jeff

-- Edited by Raystown Roof Cleaning at 18:44, 2009-02-05

Mitch · Guest

We turn it back to about 700 - 800 PSI and�put a 45 on there...we usually�sit back quite a bit from the shingle... it doesn't take alot of pressure to rinse...�(At the shingle it's propibly closer to 300psi). While developing the way we were going to clean roofs, we have taken many steps to insure that we weren't loosening or blasting off granuals.

We tried sodium hypochlorite along with tsp, but couldn't get the results we were looking for. I understand that there is a battle over chemical base�that people use. The reality is that used improperly.. they all have negative effects.

I'm going to try out some of the mixes that I've seen on the board and see if any of them will work well for me. I'll let ya know and post what I ended up with.

Guest

I.5 gallons to 30 gallons is a serious low percentage of chlorine?
Ok these things always seem to start an arguement. But with that being said, you're probably working to hard and to me 300 psi. is too much pressure. Maybe ok for a good sound roof but there are alot of roofs that aren't sound and you need be careful of these. Properly mixed you should be able to use garden hose pressure to rinse. Mostly the flow alone will rinse. No need for direct pressure. You are definitely saving alot of money with using only 1.5 gallons per 30,...but you will make more money if you can show your potential customers you can clean without pressure, and especially without a pressure washer. Pressure washer's scare roof customers to death. You may spend more money on products, but you will be gaining in the number of customers you get. I'm just offering constructive criticsm,...at least you're out there doing it,..but there are better and easier methods,....just keep asking questions. By the way, I don't even rinse anymore, rainfall is all it takes.

I added a couple pictures to show how a roof ahould look even before they're rinsed. The only thing left from the black streaks should be some very light colored brown where the heaviest of the streaking was.

Jeff

-- Edited by Raystown Roof Cleaning at 13:38, 2009-02-06

Feb 6, 2009

Mitch wrote:

We turn it back to about 700 - 800 PSI and�put a 45 on there...we usually�sit back quite a bit from the shingle... it doesn't take alot of pressure to rinse...�(At the shingle it's propibly closer to 300psi). While developing the way we were going to clean roofs, we have taken many steps to insure that we weren't loosening or blasting off granuals.

We tried sodium hypochlorite along with tsp, but couldn't get the results we were looking for. I understand that there is a battle over chemical base�that people use. The reality is that used improperly.. they all have negative effects.

I'm going to try out some of the mixes that I've seen on the board and see if any of them will work well for me. I'll let ya know and post what I ended up with.

Listen to Jeff, he knows what he is talking about.� All of us RCIA roof cleaners clean roofs the same way.� NO PRESSURE!!

Unfortunately taking steps to avoid granule loss is unavoidable even with low pressure.� If you look inside the gutters you will see granules in them just from the rain taking them off.� It doesn't take much to dislodge them.

1.5 gallons of 12.5% bleach in 30 gallons of mix would work for house washing but like Jeff said, way too weak for roofs.

For 30 gallons of mix you will need 10-12 gallons of 12.5% bleach, TSP and/or alcohol, plus surfactant.�� Bag the downspouts and collect the run-off, and dispose of them away from landscaping.

�

Mitch · Guest

Yeah... as I mentioned in my last post, Im going to try it the way you all are doing it and see what I get in results. I'm not adverse to trying anything that will get the job done right...take less time... and make my customers happy.

Also, I plan to be in Port Saint Lucie, FL late in March. I may ask if I can give a day or two of my labor to see what your doing in action.

Just a small note on a pet peave of mine: That link for the recall has nothing to do with Sodium Hydroxide being in the product... it has to do with the levels exceding the labeling...they never say they changed the product, rather they changed the labeling for compliance, if your going to qoute an article... please do it in the proper context:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml95/95130.html

Feb 6, 2009

I got that link from Chris Tucker with Apple Roof Cleaning. If he uses it, then it must be good. I don't doubt him. He's the best.

Just the fact that Sodium Hydroxide is in it, knowing that it's corrosive with a ph of 14 and not recommended is enough to show customers it should not be used for cleaning asphalt shingles.

We don't have tile roofs in NC, but Chris recommends adding sodium hydroxide for tile roofs. Tile does not have any asphalt in it for the hydroxide to dissolve of course.

After you read the posts on here, you will see the most experienced roof cleaners don't argue or battle each other of what should be used or not used.

We all pretty much do it the same way.

You're going to be in Saint Lucie FL?�

Cool, you could check out Apple in action in Tampa.� I've been wanting to drive down there to meet him, he's helped me a lot.

http://roof-cleaning-institute.activeboard.com/index.spark?forumID=123190&p=3&topicID=24480017

-- Edited by Mike Sullivan at 11:53, 2009-02-07

RCIA Founder

Mitch, welcome fellow roof cleaner in Florida !
Try our way, we think you will find it faster, safer, and better.
Most of us started out cleaning like you do, but we found a better way.
Think about it Mitch ?
If our way wasn't� best, why would there be all these roof cleaners here ?
They have pressure washers, but dont use them for cleaning roofs.

Roof Cleaning Corpus Christi TX · Guest

Welcome to the board Mitch.

I am sure that once you try this method of low or no pressure, you will be amazed and will switch.

It only takes 100-300psi to remove the granules from what I have read in the past so I would make sure that you switch quick or make sure that you have a very good insurance policy.

If one of your customer's roof leaks and they try to blame it on you, what are you going to say?

Who told you to use pressure on a roof?

When the Roof Manufacturer's tell you what to use and no pressure, what will your defence be?

Any attorney will tear you to shreds without even breaking a sweat.

Not trying to be an ass here but too many people out there not doing any research or trying to get educated. The days of just doing whatever are limited and coming to an end.

You will find a lot of good info here and great people that will help you out. If you have any questions, just ask.

Feb 8, 2009

Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa wrote:

Mitch, welcome fellow roof cleaner in Florida !
Try our way, we think you will find it faster, safer, and better.
Most of us started out cleaning like you do, but we found a better way.
Think about it Mitch ?
If our way wasn't� best, why would there be all these roof cleaners here ?
They have pressure washers, but dont use them for cleaning roofs.
I will attest to that. I do a lot of Power Washing thoughout Pinellas County Florida but when it comes to Roof Cleaning I never even start my Pressure Washer.

Roof Cleaning Corpus Christi TX · Guest

Mitch, listen to these guys, they do a lot of roofs, have customers for many, many years and do it the safe and most cost effective way.

I do it their way because of that, I had learned some other ways, different chemicals, etc..... I looked at how long it took, what it was costing me for each roof and the results, this new way is much better in every way possible.

Mitch · Guest

I'm not argueing that this may be the way to go.� I am always looking for the best way to get the job done fast, safe and effective. If I wasn't looking to provide my customers with the best service I could... I would just use OTS products from Lowes or Home Depot. I am always trying to learn more and more about my industry and though I've done a good amount of roofs... I've been doing my research BECAUSE I don't think what I'm doing is the�BEST that I can be doing.

I am and will continue to do my homework and look for the best solutions for my customers. I won't be cleaning roofs here till mid/late March at the earliest. So I have so time to get myself into a new way of doing things. I'm going to keep looking for the best solutions and I'm here because I think this way�has merit. I just need to learn more about it and I will have to give it a try or see it in action. �I do take everything into account as I learn.

BTW: I didn't see a thread about costing/time etc.
How long do you find it typically takes to do a 2500 sq/ft roof?
What is it costing you in materials?

I do appreciate all the feedback I have gotten... though I can be thickheaded at times... I do listen and take it all in.

Feb 9, 2009

Welcome to the board Mitch. Chris created this board only 6 months ago and amazingly enough it's already ranked #1 on google for roof cleaning! You've come to the right place, any questions asked are more than welcome.

Every job is different. Some roofs go quick (not that moldy)

Others require multiple applications (extremely moldy, old neglected roofs)

Chris being the fastest because he has the best equipment, most experience and good help.

I can do a 2500 sq.ft roof in an average of about 1-2 hours, just depends on several factors.

Height, pitch, age, neglect, color of roof, weather, temperature, gutters, and help.

Average material cost is 15-20 gallons of 12.5% bleach, 5 lbs. TSP, 2 quarts alcohol, and dish soap.

Approximately $30-$50

Pricing of a 2500 sq.ft roof is about $400-$500

-- Edited by Mike Sullivan at 13:31, 2009-02-09

Eric · Guest

ABOUT HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO WORK

Feb 9, 2009

Depends, in good warm weather, 15-20 minutes. Sometimes, very nasty moldy roofs require second or third coats and can take an hour or more.

Guest

I'M REAL NEW TO THIS BUT LEARNING FAST FROM ALL THE GREAT DISCUSSIONS, MY QUESTION IS THAT A LOT OF YOU GUYS SAY YOU DON'T RINSE WHAT HAPPENS TO ALL THE THICK MOSS SOME ROOFS HAVE AND IF YOU APPLY MORE THEN ONE APPLICATION OF CLEANER ARE YOU RINSING IN BETWEEN. THANKS VINNY

-- Edited by TROPO at 12:03, 2009-02-12

Guest

Thick moss should never be allowed to get thick in the first place. Once it gets to that stage all you can really do is treat the problem and allow it to fall off over time,...and it will. I do not rinse between applications.

Jeff

Feb 12, 2009

Or if they insist on you removing the moss, it requires some pressure, which will dislodge the granules. Make sure you cover your azz if they want the moss taken off. The moss attaches itself to the shingles making it difficult to remove.

-- Edited by Mike Sullivan at 14:02, 2009-02-17

Guest

Yea, thanks Mike,...I forgot to add the issues with removing the moss.

Jeff

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum "Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum
"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"