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Mar 6, 2009

Whether you use just chlorine, water and Dawn or a serious concoction: DO YOU RINSE AFTER?

Guest

The roofs I do all have gutters. Roofs without gutters seems to be a Fla. thing. But no, I don't rinse anymore. Maybe for a realtor if they're gonna show it in a few days.

Not rinsing allows me to give the customer a better price and gets me out of the most time consuming part of the job. But I think rinsing or not is just your own approach,..not right or wrong either way.

Jeff

Mar 7, 2009

Just bleach and water plus dawn works if your concentration is high, like around 50/50.

This is too strong from what Chris has told us. It can cause granule loss.

It makes a huge difference in the strength of your bleach to add TSP and/or alcohol to drop your percentage down to 35%.

A more enhanced roof mix will clean better, removing all the streaks so you can allow the rain to do the rinsing for you, saving water and most importantly your time.

The roofs here in NC all have gutters or a drainage system, so I also just bag the downspouts or let it go into the drainage.

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Pro Greensboro NC (336)362 7659 at 11:43, 2009-03-07

RCIA Founder

Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 wrote:

I rinse if there are no gutters. All plants are covered with tarps throughout the job regardlress and if possible I catch downspout runoff.
In the winter I feel safer leaving the chlorine on the roof, in the summer I know there's a good chance it will rain and if it's not a serious downpour for a while, it runs a fairly strong solution of chlorine down, so I rinse it myself first on most summer jobs.
I figure, if i'm doing a roof [which for me probably averages $375.00 in about 2 hours on the job time], I can spare an extra half hours tarping and rinsing and then go do another roof! I almost never mix a full 50% chlorine, except for a few tile roofs.
I just started tarping a few years ago, because I got a few "Brown leaves" complaints.
I don't have any complaints with tarping!
It is harder for me to go back and face an unhappy "brown leaf" customer, than to do a little extra work.
I also suggest that they water for the next 3 days after I leave, if possible.
How about you all?

Your approach to roof cleaning is a good one Chuck.
Gotta watch OUT for those light rains in the summer here in Tampa, and down� where you live in Port Charlotte, FL.
When rinsing, we found that it is always best to allow at lest a 1/2 hour dwell time before rinsing.
I have done experiments over the years, and freshly rinsed roofs didnt stay as clean as roofs we allowed� 1/2 hour roof cleaning chemical dwell time.
We always use TWO people, but I have cleaned roofs alone.
Took my TIME, tarped everything, and then rinsed like all helll
I seldom clean roofs anymore, have employees to do that.'
But every now and then, I do clean roofs, just to show that the "Old Man" STILL hasn't lost it, LOL
ALL my ground men LOVE working with me, because I am a veteran roof cleaner.
In MY�Tampa Roof Cleaning Company Chuck, the Ground Man is the BOSS.
He dictates the speed I can clean at, because only HE can see the run off.
He will order ME to STOP to deal with the run off, if need be.

Tarps work OK on shingle roofs, since chemical is weak.'
But Tile Roof Cleaning with Tarps can do damage when�the tile�roof cleaning chemical hits the tarps, and spots Paint!

You would be Suprised at how much work we get away from one man roof cleaner Chuck because we have TWO men ?

It is MY persnal feeling every roof cleaner should stive to be a Roof Cleaning Company, as opposed to a "guy who cleans roofs"�

There is a LOT of roof cleaning� work in your area Chuck.

It is my feeling you will start getting a LOT more roof cleaning work soon, now that you have an Internet advertising connection.

Pretty soon, Yellow Pages will be obsolete.

The computer is where it is at.

Mar 7, 2009

Hi Chris

Thank you!
I cleaned roofs with 2 men, as you are, from 1991 until around 2003 [I'm guessing}
By then, my son was a 9 year veteran roof cleaner and knew his stuff well enough for us to split up.
I am in a little different situation than you. I also pressure clean the house, cage, deck and driveways on most every roof I do. Which means another pass by all the plants and achance to water them down again, with the pressure washer.
Also, I have no interest in being a larger company. Just father and son. Tried the work crew stuff and prefer just 2 pros, no trainees at any time.
It is our practice also, to do a roof in quarters or thirds and get down and check the tarps, to make sure the wind hasn't removed them [even though we tie them down and run sprinklers on them constantly] I also, if needed, set up lean-to tarps, to move the chem away from the house.
I have never experienced "spotting" on house walls from chem wind whipped drips? Yet I can see that if the chlorine was running off fast and heavy, a splash could spot a wall, for sure! Just never had it happen?
The only instance of chem staining I have ever seen [and have overcome that problem long ago] was painted doors. When they were mildewed and I sprayed [with my downstream chemical injector] chlorine on the door, at first, I noticed it would leave "extra clean" spots and lines. Now we soak the door in water, hit it lightly with chem to kill the mildew and rinse it clean immediately!
I love this website you have and there is always something to learn from other seasoned pros-Especially YOU!
Thanks,
Chuck

-- Edited by Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 at 17:28, 2009-03-07

-- Edited by Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 on Sunday 13th of March 2011 06:15:18 PM

RCIA Founder

Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 wrote:

Hi Chris
Thank you!
I cleaned roofs with 2 men, as you are, from 1989 until around 2003 [I'm guessing}
By then, my son was a 9 year veteran roof cleaner and knew his stuff well enough for us to split up.
I am in a little different situation than you. I also pressure clean the house, cage, deck and driveways on most every roof I do. Also, I have no interest in being a larger company. Just father and son and I have a guy I use on rare occasions, who works for me in my Lawn and Landscaping business.
It is our practice also, to do a roof in quarters or thirds and get down and check the tarps, to make sure the wind hasn't removed them [even though we tie them down] I also, if needed, set up leanto tarps, to move the chem away from the house.
I have never experienced "spotting" on house walls from chem drip? Yet I can see that if the chlorine was running off fast and heavy, a splash could spot a wall, for sure!
My gun is a homemade aluminum wand, with a shut off valve and I have one with a 2550 meg tip and another with a 4015 meg tip-so I am not laying it on all that heavy as to create much runoff-just enough to wet it down and keep it wet.
The only instance of chem staining I have ever seen [and have overcome that problem long ago] was painted doors. When they were mildewed and I sprayed [with my downstream chemical injector] chlorine on the door, at first, I noticed it would leave "extra clean" spots and lines. Now we soak the door in water, hit it lightly with chem to kill the mildew and rinse it clean immediately!
I love this website you have and there is always something to learn from other seasoned pros-Especially YOU!
Thanks,
Chuck

-- Edited by Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 at 17:28, 2009-03-07

MOST guys do not have your experience roof cleaning�Chuck.
Like you, I CAN clean alone, because I have the experience and Patience to do so.
But many are not veteran roof cleaners like we are.
I have had too many newbies� get into trouble cleaning roofs alone.
Thus, we suggest to have two people doing the job.
But there are exceptions to every "rule"
Boy, those WOOD doors can be a nightmare on a windy day, LOL
KOI Ponds too.
I once had a guy pul a GUN on me because overspray hit his Grapefruit Tree, LOL
I HATE killing Frogs too blankstare

�

Guest

As I mentioned before, I always rinse. Takes longer than applying the chems, but I can't being myself to leave without rinsing.

Mar 9, 2009

I have made some beautiful tents for Koi ponds!
But, the poor frogs probably "croak"
I have 2 customers who hire me to get the bats out of their tile roofs, I clean them too, but their main concern is driving the bats away. Both jobs are within 5 blocks of each other!

Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa 813-655-8777 wrote:

Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 wrote:

Hi Chris
Thank you!
I cleaned roofs with 2 men, as you are, from 1989 until around 2003 [I'm guessing}
By then, my son was a 9 year veteran roof cleaner and knew his stuff well enough for us to split up.
I am in a little different situation than you. I also pressure clean the house, cage, deck and driveways on most every roof I do. Also, I have no interest in being a larger company. Just father and son and I have a guy I use on rare occasions, who works for me in my Lawn and Landscaping business.
It is our practice also, to do a roof in quarters or thirds and get down and check the tarps, to make sure the wind hasn't removed them [even though we tie them down] I also, if needed, set up leanto tarps, to move the chem away from the house.
I have never experienced "spotting" on house walls from chem drip? Yet I can see that if the chlorine was running off fast and heavy, a splash could spot a wall, for sure!
My gun is a homemade aluminum wand, with a shut off valve and I have one with a 2550 meg tip and another with a 4015 meg tip-so I am not laying it on all that heavy as to create much runoff-just enough to wet it down and keep it wet.
The only instance of chem staining I have ever seen [and have overcome that problem long ago] was painted doors. When they were mildewed and I sprayed [with my downstream chemical injector] chlorine on the door, at first, I noticed it would leave "extra clean" spots and lines. Now we soak the door in water, hit it lightly with chem to kill the mildew and rinse it clean immediately!
I love this website you have and there is always something to learn from other seasoned pros-Especially YOU!
Thanks,
Chuck

-- Edited by Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 at 17:28, 2009-03-07

MOST guys do not have your experience roof cleaning�Chuck.
Like you, I CAN clean alone, because I have the experience and Patience to do so.
But many are not veteran roof cleaners like we are.
I have had too many newbies� get into trouble cleaning roofs alone.
Thus, we suggest to have two people doing the job.
But there are exceptions to every "rule"
Boy, those WOOD doors can be a nightmare on a windy day, LOL
KOI Ponds too.
I once had a guy pul a GUN on me because overspray hit his Grapefruit Tree, LOL
I HATE killing Frogs too
�

�

Markus · Guest

Hey Everyone,

We are starting a roof cleaning business in upstate NY. I would just like to start off by thanking everyone that contributes to this forum. Your knowledge and willingness to share such valuable information is appreciated. I have spent over 10 hours of reading postings in this forum over the past week. It did not take much reading to begin realizing that any form of power washing (including the pitchwitch with X Jet application which was our first choice) was not the correct way to approach things. We are going to start off with a trailer, 2 Fat Boy pumps (with 2 High End Marine Batteries), the kurri Tek hoses, multiple ladders, and all the other misc. equipment that we have read about on these postings (thanks for the info).

My first question is that it seems like many of you apply the Cider Mix and let mother nature take care of the rest. I fully understand the benefit of having the rain rinse the roof due to the lower PH levels. But, providing you do everything right, will the roof look clean that same day without rinsing or will there be a residue on the roof. If there is an open house the next day, will the home looke fine without rinsing or is some form of rinsing needed.

Second... I understand that you premix the 12.5% Sodium Hypochlorite, Water, and TSP)... and then add the Dawn Surfactant and Isopropol at the work site. If We don't use TSP or AmmonyxM for a thickener, can we just use extra Dawn concentrate for a better mix? Will this still be effective without TSP?

Thanks for the info...

Mark S.
Albany, NY

Jammer · Guest

And to further the question, I have read that the stronger mixes "may clean ALL the streaks". My concern when coming to the Chemical side, in place of the Dark side of Pressure Washing was, will it really make it clean. When it comes to Fiberglass composite shingles, since thats our focus, is there often a time that a second cleaning is needed if you choose to run a weaker mix..perhaps because of dense expensive vegitation and a lack of gutters?

Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 · guest

You both definitely have a lot more reading to do. Welcome to our forum and thanks for introducing yourselves and asking questions. It will help you out a lot more to be active with the members than to just go try it.

80% +_ of roofs you clean will be ready to show that day, but there will be a chlorine smell.
TSP is not a thickener or surfactant as much as it is a ph booster. TSP is marked by the EPA so we just avoid it anymore. You do not have to premix and loramine oxide is way better than dawn.

Making a stronger mix is not something you should do in the hopes to only apply one coat. You will still have to touch up and re-hit some areas. The job should be done the first time you go there, but will generally take 1 application, with a second or third touch up. Read some more brothers and good luck if your getting started.

Markus · Guest

Thanks Bill. You are right. The more reading, the better. As I just read a few minutes ago, stronger is not better, just trust the "Love".

robgee05 · Guest

Roof Cleaning Pro Greensboro NC (336)362 7659 wrote:

Just bleach and water plus dawn works if your concentration is high, like around 50/50.

This is too strong from what Chris has told us. It can cause granule loss.

It makes a huge difference in the strength of your bleach to add TSP and/or alcohol to drop your percentage down to 35%.

A more enhanced roof mix will clean better, removing all the streaks so you can allow the rain to do the rinsing for you, saving water and most importantly your time.

The roofs here in NC all have gutters or a drainage system, so I also just bag the downspouts or let it go into the drainage.

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Pro Greensboro NC (336)362 7659 at 11:43, 2009-03-07

when you say bag the down spouts. Do you mean like a lawn garden bag, then drag it off.

Pristine Roof Cleaning New Jersey · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

im not as good as the big boys but i never rinse and my mix is only 40% sh. never killed a plant(but have killed grass in the begining) i adverage 4-5 roofs a batch

Green Apple Roof Cleaners LLC · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

How gallons is your batch ?

Pristine Roof Cleaning New Jersey · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

i was wrong on my % i have a 250 gal tank i put 60 gal sh 4 bottles of dawn and 2 box of borrax. it works for me kinda week but i dont kill plants

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

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"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"