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Iannacchione · Guest

spraying in the rain

Ohio Roof Cleaning · Guest

I'd postpone it... I think most guys here wait until the morning dew is off the roof before starting. I could be wrong.

Guest

Brad if it is raining I would wait, the problem will be is your mix will not have time to dry, this means one it will be strong coming off into the grass or splashing off onto plants. You will still need to wet but also you will not get the full effect of your chemical, this means you may need to also go back. Once the love dries it weakens, but I know how it is when you do not want to get behind and the weather is a problem. I have lost about 2,000.00 from Wednesday thru Friday on jobs but hang in there, remember your word and quality also.

Iannacchione · Guest

The problem is that I did this house last Saturday, and the selling point was that it would make her roof look damn near new again. Well it rained here on Wednesday, and evedentially, I either missed spots or it didnt work as well as I told her it would. This is a touch up, and she is getting new landscaping on Monday, and really wants it done.

I am debating what to do.

Ohio Roof Cleaning · Guest

You can't control mother nature. If it's a "few spots" you may be able to get by with some extra strong Love in the rain (is that a song?). Hard to even guess without seeing it.

Roof Cleaning Toledo Ohio (419) 265-3306 · Guest

Are you at all concerned about the temperature? I was under the impression from reading all these postthat the temperature should be in the sixties. I have roofs I could start doing now but have put them off till spring. I'm in Ohio and the temps have been in the low to mid fifties. Can I still do some roofs? Thanks

Iannacchione · Guest

Yeah, I am concerned about the temps too. Pittsburgh is going to be high 30's to low 40's tommorrow.

guest

Hi James

Quick question. after the love has been on the roof for a day or several days is it a fact that the love doe's weaken. how many days do you suppose it's weak enough that it wouldnt harm any thing after a rain?

RCIA Founder

Iannacchione wrote:

If it is raining, and you have to do a job, does it makes some sense to lighten up on the water in the recipe and shoot a stronger mix? Any thoughts appreciated.......got a job tommorrow and we are expecting light rain and snow in the morning and rain after that.

I have cleaned plenty of roofs in a very LIGHT rain.
A wet roof just takes a bit longer for the roof cleaning chemical to act.

But, beware!
If the rain is heavy, forget about it!

The chemicals dwell time will not be sufficient, and you will toast the plants!@

But a wet roof, or a VERY light rain/drizzle is not to be feared.

As a matter of fact, when I PERSONALLY clean a roof for a good friend, here is what I do.

I WET the shingle roof down with a water hose first!

Then, I spray, and when all that surfactant in the sauce hits a WET roof ..... well ..... it is a beautiful thing!

Yes, the water does slightly dilute the roof cleaning chemical, but it sure is an experience you must see for yourself ?

You spray the wet roof, and watch whole sections start cleaning, right before your eyes.

It just takes a bit longer, but it is so cool to see a wet shingle roof clean up.

Back in the good old days, I cleaned ALL Shingle Roofs this way, with Apple Sauce.

The Borax/TSP in Apple Sauce LOVE a wet roof, and those chemicals really get turned loose by the standing water on a pre wet roof.

Now, if it is drizzling out, you cant just clean the roof, and walk away!

The light rain will kill plants for sure.

You must rinse the roof.

Rinse the bottom half of the roof FIRST during a light rain, water plants off as chemical drips, then do the top half of the roof, and repeat rinsing process.

Then, go to other side of roof, and repeat again.

Then, FLOOD the plants on one side at a time until water STANDS.

Oh, BTW, Grass is a Plant too !

I like to flood TWICE when rinsing a roof, to make SURE the freshly rinsed roof cleaning chemical goes BELOW the freaking root line ?

I am old, and no longer clean many roofs anymore, except some customers insist on me only.

So, every now and then, the old man and his back up truck goes out with some freshly whipped up Apple Sauce, with my buddy Mike, a retired Tampa Fireman working the water hose/ground.

I dont clean many roofs anymore, but when I do, I pre wet them first!

The above only applies to shingle roofs !!!

Do NOT ever pre wet a tile roof, unless you like "roof surfing" ???

Iannacchione · Guest

Chris,

Your post is much appreciated. Thank you.

Iannacchione · Guest

Does the temperature bother you?

RCIA Founder

Iannacchione wrote:

Does the temperature bother you?

Here in Tampa, Florida, it seldom gets real cold.
But there is a direct connection between cold temperature, and cleaning!

In 45 to 55 degree weather, assuming it is Sunny, we can clean, it just takes chemicals longer to work!

Put a good coat on the roof, and give it time!
Sometimes it may take a few coats, in cold weather, a light color shingle roof, and on overcast day.

Again, put a coat on, and wait

Dont sit and spray over and over again, wait, give it time to work.

Iannacchione · Guest

Hey Chris,

Took your advise today and just got back. It was raining real lightly and about 38 degrees. It worked very well. No problems at all. I used hot water to disolve the TSP this morning and went a bit heavier on the SH.

Just so everyone knows, this mix will work well if it is below 40 and not freezing............my learned lesson of the day.

Thanks Chris, you are the man!!!

Roof Cleaning Toledo Ohio (419) 265-3306 · Guest

Thanks for the info Brad, I have a couple of potential customers that I was putting off until spring. Its suppose to be in the fifties here next week. I'm going to try to make some quick cash before winter.

RCIA Founder

Iannacchione wrote:

Hey Chris,

Took your advise today and just got back. It was raining real lightly and about 38 degrees. It worked very well. No problems at all. I used hot water to disolve the TSP this morning and went a bit heavier on the SH.

Just so everyone knows, this mix will work well if it is below 40 and not freezing............my learned lesson of the day.

Thanks Chris, you are the man!!!

Just eating an Italian Sausage Sandwich on a Hoagie Roll, LOL

I sincerely HOPE you rinsed the roof after you cleaned it, in the light rain ?

Remember, when it comes to watering roof cleaning chemicals off plants and their root zones, there is no such thing as "overwatering" !!!
But, underwater the plants, and be prepared for a ticked off customer.

guest

Iannacchione wrote:

Hey Chris,

Took your advise today and just got back. It was raining real lightly and about 38 degrees. It worked very well. No problems at all. I used hot water to disolve the TSP this morning and went a bit heavier on the SH.

Just so everyone knows, this mix will work well if it is below 40 and not freezing............my learned lesson of the day.

Thanks Chris, you are the man!!!

hey Brad you should of posted that in the cold weather cleaning!

That is great news. what do you suppose the temp was with the wind chill, and what color was the roof, and how dirty was it?
im glad you worked today, because it seems as if on one else did I know Ken didnt

Iannacchione · Guest

Chris,

I did like you said, YES....................I did rinse. Thanks for everything.

Iannacchione · Guest

Clyde,

I would say the wind chill was about 35, not much wind. This was a touch up job that I had to do. There were about 3 or 4 spots that I either missed last week or whatever. I drove by the house after a rain, and noticed that it needed redone.

Rather than having the customer call me to complain, I always like to call them first. I told her that I was very unhappy with the roof cleaning and that I would be right out to make it right.

IMHO, there is no other way to do business. They appreciate the fact that you took the time to check on their house, and admitted to the error. I believe this business is all about the referral.

Have a great weekend everyone. Lets go Steelers!!!!

Satcahr · Guest

This is great info, I was just thinking about starting a thread about this. I live in Washington so I get a lot of rain from about now to around May.

So what I am getting from this is:
-if it is light/drizzle rain it is ok.
-The lower the temperature, the longer it will take to clean because it doesn't dry as quickly.
-Pre-wetting is good but not necessary and cuts into profit margin.

-- Edited by Satcahr on Saturday 17th of October 2009 07:46:30 PM

Guest

Yes Clyde is does weaken once it dry's but also you have other variables, if it does not rain for a few days than the weaker it gets but if it rains that night than it would be a little stronger than a few days later. Brad glad it worked out for you, Chris is the man but again you asked an opinion and gave you mine on what I would do or not do, Chris has been around this industry for many many years. He has the farther time effect, lol. Even the gray hair to go with it, just messing with ya Chris. Again glad things went well for you Brad.

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"