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MPPW · Guest

How long should I expect a roof to stay algae free?

Chesapeake · Guest

I give my customers a 2 year warranty as long as they have me clean the entire roof. They may get 3-5 before signs of algae return. It really depends on the property's landscape.

Guest

Also depends on the proximity of any neighbors who may have the problem and also climate.
Here in Pa I seem to get around three years average before reoccurence.

Jeff

Great White Technologies · Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Certified Roof Cleaner

Michael you need to do some research. This has been addressed several times on past threads. Use the search feature.

RoofBright of Florida · Guest

There are several factors that determine the length of time a roof will remain fungus free. One thing to remember is that airborne spores will attach to the surface before, during and after a cleaning. The salt left behind will continue to kill any algae (fungus) left behind or future growth for a short period. Or until the rains have depleted the salt residue left behind. Please remember, fungus must have 3 nutrients to grow. Heat, moisture and organic matter. The more rain or moisture such as morning dew will encourage fungus growth. Under normal conditions we have found it takes as little as 12 to 16 months for a fungus spore to germinate.
In most cases you are safe in giving a 2 yr. warranty. Providing debris, such as leaves, etc are not allowed to remain on the surface. Increased periods of rain will also have an effect as well has hotter weather conditions which increase the attic temperatures thus increasing the surface temps which creates moisture as the sunsets sets. The quality of the material also comes into play. A 15 yr. to 25 yr. roof will show signs of fungus growth quicker than a 30 or 40 year roof due to the thickness of the material itself as well as the amount of copper granules applied along with the colored ceramic granules.
Tile roofs are a different animal where the climate is the culprit. Sub-tropical climates will show signs of fungus growth much quicker than that of our northern climates.
We have found that giving a 1 year warranty works great and we offer a maintenance program as well.

The information provided is only what I have found in my area.

Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 · guest

Hi Chris, good to see you posting. I lost a job to you recently in queenstown?? I think it was. The guy told me your price after I gave him mine. I told him you were just as good as any certified cleaner and that I was not going to undercut you. I don't play that game. I do come down on price sometimes, but not just to push out another quality contractor. I just wanted you to know that.

As far as the topic of this thread, they can last from 1-5 years depending on many things, that Gary already mentioned. Most asphalt roofs will give you the 2years and sometimes last up to 5. Here in MD the roof algae only really arrived 6-7 yrs. ago and it is getting hardier every year up here, I imagine NJ is the same. When we started roof cleaning in southern MD in 2005, every customer we did was telling us they had never had this problem until that year. Here in MD any competitor that knows what they are doing seems to offer the 2yr guarantee, as do I. You will find that if you do not offer a guarantee, this will be the selling point your competitors use to win jobs against you.

-- Edited by Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 on Tuesday 1st of September 2009 05:06:25 PM

Chesapeake · Guest

Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 wrote:

Hi Chris, good to see you posting. I lost a job to you recently in queenstown?? I think it was. The guy told me your price after I gave him mine. I told him you were just as good as any certified cleaner and that I was not going to undercut you. I don't play that game. I do come down on price sometimes, but not just to push out another quality contractor. I just wanted you to know that.

Thanks Bill. I appreciate your honesty. I feel the same way. I don't lower my prices to beat out my competition. Instead I try to justify my prices and out sell my competition. If I know of another quality no pressure roof cleaning contractor bidding the same job, I will often tell the customer that they will be making a good decision with either one of us, just stay away from the guy that wants to pressure wash your roof.

-- Edited by Chesapeake on Monday 7th of September 2009 07:50:52 PM

Sep 7, 2009

MPPW wrote:
How long should I expect a roof to stay algae/mold free after I clean it? I know it will happen again but is there a specific time frame I can give to a customer?

Depends on the location and the weather. The further south you go the faster the mold will grow. The warmer and wetter climates grow more mold.

Like Gary said, the guys in Florida are getting about 1-2 years.

I offer 3 year warranties in NC. Some can go 5 years without streaking here in NC.

I've had to go behind many competitors who have no idea what they are doing. They use the wrong chemicals and blast away with a pressure washer. These roofs start growing mold after 1-2 years in Greensboro.

It also depends on tree cover/shade and the angle the roof faces the sun. East/West roofs can go much longer without streaks than North/South roofs. The north side always gets the most mold and streaks the fastest. The pitch and color of the roof also will be a factor.

The further north you are, the roofs go longer, 5+ years, except for the Northwest which has a very wet moldy climate.

On average, 2 years is a good warranty for most of the United States.

Dharam · Guest

Hi Bill and Chris, I'm up here near Boston. I'm curious what "no pressure" roof washing techniques you guys are using?
What I've been doing, since '88, with slate, asphalt and cedar is applying a pretty strong chlorine (I know the arguments against this) solution with a detergent that has a nice Sodium Hydroxide bite. With asphalt and cedar I like to leave the solution on the surface for at least a night, a week or so is better. I certainly kills stuff, but the longer I leave the dead matter to dry and weather, the lighter the pressure I have to use to do the rinse off. I'm starting to use Sodium Percarbonate and SH with the Delavan 5850. More on that as I get a few more roofs done.

Thanks in advance,
Dharam
www.housewash.com

macoto · Guest

Dharam wrote:

Hi Bill and Chris, I'm up here near Boston. I'm curious what "no pressure" roof washing techniques you guys are using?
What I've been doing, since '88, with slate, asphalt and cedar is applying a pretty strong chlorine (I know the arguments against this) solution with a detergent that has a nice Sodium Hydroxide bite. With asphalt and cedar I like to leave the solution on the surface for at least a night, a week or so is better. I certainly kills stuff, but the longer I leave the dead matter to dry and weather, the lighter the pressure I have to use to do the rinse off. I'm starting to use Sodium Percarbonate and SH with the Delavan 5850. More on that as I get a few more roofs done.

Thanks in advance,
Dharam
www.housewash.com

Hi Dharam,
Search around this forum using the box up top and you'll find the arguments against both Sodium Hydroxide (lye) and Sodium Percarbonate and in favor of Sodium Hypochlorite (12.5% "household bleach" mix, what people here call SH). In talking to customers, most of the businesspeople here simply refer to some technical bulletins, mainly the one from the Asphalt Roofing Manufacters Association (ARMA), that recommends sodium hypochlorite and trisodium phosphate. This is an issue that never seems to die on the internet... except here at the RCIA, where I'm pretty sure everyone is applying some variation of Sodium Hypochlorite mix with a non-pressure pump system (like the Delavan 5850).

Best,
Derek

RoofKleen · Guest

I give a 12 month warranty and sell them an annual maintenance. I tell them up front it will return in 3 to 5 years. Sell about 70% of customers on an annual maintenance.

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

A new roof does not show signs of algae for 5 to 10 years. Why doesn't a newly cleaned roof last longer ?
After a professionally cleaned roof is completed, could the fungus will come back stronger and thicker than before if the roof is not re cleaned after the 2 or 3 year warranty

gr8white · Guest

Chesapeake wrote:

Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 wrote:

Hi Chris, good to see you posting. I lost a job to you recently in queenstown?? I think it was. The guy told me your price after I gave him mine. I told him you were just as good as any certified cleaner and that I was not going to undercut you. I don't play that game. I do come down on price sometimes, but not just to push out another quality contractor. I just wanted you to know that.
Thanks Bill. I appreciate your honesty. I feel the same way. I don't lower my prices to beat out my competition. Instead I try to justify my prices and out sell my competition. If I know of another quality no pressure roof cleaning contractor bidding the same job, I will often tell the customer that they will be making a good decision with either one of us, just stay away from the guy that wants to pressure wash your roof.

-- Edited by Chesapeake on Monday 7th of September 2009 07:50:52 PM

That's kinda funny what you mentioned Bill. Chris and I crossed paths on a job a while back in Queenstown, I actually parked down the street so he could finish his estimate in peace before I pulled in to do mine. I wonder if all three of us bid on the same job? I also used my standard formula for pricing...I have no problem with quality competition, just makes me have to be better wink

, undercutting will turn our industry into what grass cutting is around here...

-- Edited by gr8white on Tuesday 11th of May 2010 08:35:36 PM

gr8white · Guest

Roof Cleaners of Southwest Pa wrote:

A new roof does not show signs of algae for 5 to 10 years. Why doesn't a newly cleaned roof last longer ?
After a professionally cleaned roof is completed, could the fungus will come back stronger and thicker than before if the roof is not re cleaned after the 2 or 3 year warranty

I have roofs that are closing the gap on the five year mark and still look beautiful...just depends on your climate and cleaning techniques. I know a hack around here that doesn't even get a year out of his roofs.

If the roof is cleaned properly I don't see why it wouldn't last the same or even longer than a new roof...if the conditions were the same each time. When your dealing with mother nature it's hard to put things in stone...you kinda have to get a feel for your area and make educated guesses

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX · Guest

Chesapeake wrote:

Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 wrote:

Hi Chris, good to see you posting. I lost a job to you recently in queenstown?? I think it was. The guy told me your price after I gave him mine. I told him you were just as good as any certified cleaner and that I was not going to undercut you. I don't play that game. I do come down on price sometimes, but not just to push out another quality contractor. I just wanted you to know that.
Thanks Bill. I appreciate your honesty. I feel the same way. I don't lower my prices to beat out my competition. Instead I try to justify my prices and out sell my competition. If I know of another quality no pressure roof cleaning contractor bidding the same job, I will often tell the customer that they will be making a good decision with either one of us, just stay away from the guy that wants to pressure wash your roof.

-- Edited by Chesapeake on Monday 7th of September 2009 07:50:52 PM

I love hearing local contractors getting along and cooperating. We have actually asked one of our local guys what his price was and over bid it so he would get the job, because we knew he needed it. Plus it was on his side of town. Theres only one local guy that openly underbids us, and usually by 1/2. he's been in business 7 years and is thriving. I dont know how....

RWpaint · Guest

I find that when i bid a job and the consumer gets three or more quotes and one is 30 to 50% less the cheaper bid loses out more often than not.I have had many customers over the years tell me that you get what you pay for and the dont belive they will get the same quality at such a lower price. And the lowest bidder will figure you did the job for less and cut his prices some more.Till he's gone,gone,gone!

Guest

Chesapeake wrote:
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Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 wrote:
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Hi Chris, good to see you posting. I lost a job to you recently in queenstown?? I think it was. The guy told me your price after I gave him mine. I told him you were just as good as any certified cleaner and that I was not going to undercut you. I don't play that game. I do come down on price sometimes, but not just to push out another quality contractor. I just wanted you to know that.

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Thanks Bill. I appreciate your honesty. I feel the same way. I don't lower my prices to beat out my competition. Instead I try to justify my prices and out sell my competition. If I know of another quality no pressure roof cleaning contractor bidding the same job, I will often tell the customer that they will be making a good decision with either one of us, just stay away from the guy that wants to pressure wash your roof.

-- Edited by Chesapeake on Monday 7th of September 2009 07:50:52 PM

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I love hearing local contractors getting along and cooperating. We have actually asked one of our local guys what his price was and over bid it so he would get the job, because we knew he needed it. Plus it was on his side of town. Theres only one local guy that openly underbids us, and usually by 1/2. he's been in business 7 years and is thriving. I dont know how....

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I definently agree Scott that local guys working together is great and benefits us all. Btw, did you see his article in Living Magazine? If not, let me know and ill fax you a copy. It sometimes makes me think that people could care less about the process. TRC right?

Roof Cleaning Katy Texas (281) 392-2304 · May 13, 2010

Prices in Houston have dropped drastically in the last 3 years. Approx 1/3 or more. Low ballers make it not worth doing for the risk. They probably have no insurance. I wonder if their customers are checking or if they are BSing them.

Advanced Roof Restoration · Guest

Only the customer wins if we all undercut one another to win a job. Unfortunately that's how the roofing biz has become. I'd rather loose a job or two to a quality , friendly competitor and maintain my profit margins than give mt product or service away.

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX · Guest

Houston Texas Roof Cleaning (281) 853-5753 wrote:

Chesapeake wrote:
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Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 wrote:
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Hi Chris, good to see you posting. I lost a job to you recently in queenstown?? I think it was. The guy told me your price after I gave him mine. I told him you were just as good as any certified cleaner and that I was not going to undercut you. I don't play that game. I do come down on price sometimes, but not just to push out another quality contractor. I just wanted you to know that.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks Bill. I appreciate your honesty. I feel the same way. I don't lower my prices to beat out my competition. Instead I try to justify my prices and out sell my competition. If I know of another quality no pressure roof cleaning contractor bidding the same job, I will often tell the customer that they will be making a good decision with either one of us, just stay away from the guy that wants to pressure wash your roof.

-- Edited by Chesapeake on Monday 7th of September 2009 07:50:52 PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I love hearing local contractors getting along and cooperating. We have actually asked one of our local guys what his price was and over bid it so he would get the job, because we knew he needed it. Plus it was on his side of town. Theres only one local guy that openly underbids us, and usually by 1/2. he's been in business 7 years and is thriving. I dont know how....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I definently agree Scott that local guys working together is great and benefits us all. Btw, did you see his article in Living Magazine? If not, let me know and ill fax you a copy. It sometimes makes me think that people could care less about the process. TRC right?

Yea I saw it. It was supposed to be our article there, and when the mag came out, we were pissed. We bought other advertising in that mag under the concition that they would run our article as well. We raised hell and got a refund but were still angry.

The people I lose to them arent really customers I want anyhow, if you know what I mean.

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"