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YovaniR · Guest

Measuring vs Pricing Per Gallon?

May 22, 2010

50 gallons of total roof mix = $500

Pricing by the square foot is fine if every roof had conditions that were exactly the same.

In NC this is not the case. So from experience I have learned to ask questions to determine how much chemical I think the roof will need to come clean.

The pitch, color, angle the roof faces the sun, the age, the last time it was cleaned, and if the roof has trees or shade covering it.

You will get a feel for how much more chemical a roof will take from paying attention to these factors through experience.

Worst case- steep roofs-12/12 pitch, north/south facing, lots of trees/shade covering roof, white shingles, and 20+ years old.

These roofs usually consume twice the amount of chemical as a roof the same size that has less severe conditions.

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Pro Greensboro NC (336)362 7659 on Saturday 22nd of May 2010 10:46:44 PM

YovaniR · Guest

Good answer Mike. The different factors you mentioned lead me to believe that even if you had lets say a price per gallon set price, it should never really be the same because of how jobs differ in conditions. Well thanks for your time.

andy hinson · May 23, 2010

Mike has enough experience and knowledge in his business to estimate the amount of chems needed to clean a roof. He can base is estimate from this.
If you have no idea how much it will take per roof then figure your price another way.
Are you asking this because you want to charge by the actual gallons of mix used per job?

YovaniR · Guest

AHINSON I would say that the required time needed to finish a roof cleaning job's biggest factor is determined on how powerful your mix is or how many coats you put on. In in cleaning there's 4 main principles chemical, heat, agitation, and dwell time. For roof cleaning the main ones i would say are chemical and dwell time. Now i believe that once you determine the amount of chemicals used, you would then get a picture of how much time the job is gonna take. Now one thing we should probably look into is running a heated water system somewhere after the pump. The propane type, the one's people use for camping when hot water is needed for taking showers. Hey i use one with my waterfed pole system to clean windows. That way you would be using another element of cleaning which is HEAT. Just something to look into.

rmr1904 · Guest

How do you measure out the gallons of SH when preparing the mix? Do you just estimate? Or do you have a meter on the transfer pump?

Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 · guest

You can mark your tanks and measure them to get a fairly accurate measurment each time.

I estimate similar to Mike. We have a daily minimum and a daily goal per crew. As well as weekly monthly and yearly minimums and goals. We bid on estimated time and materials to try and reach the goal. 2 larger jobs are priced higher than 3 in one day. One large job has to at least hit the minimum. Some customers will actually ask you for your all day rate and have various tasks for you when they know this is available.

El Flojo · Guest

I think the SH fumes would be worse with the hot water. Also you might start to get the Chemical comps. all mixed up.

May 23, 2010

Hot water helps a great deal in the colder winter months. Really depends on your location.

It's not necessary though during the summer months when the roof's surface temperature reaches 120+F and roofs that get plenty of sun in the spring and fall.

Cloudy days or shaded roofs, hot water would come in handy.

I would not make my final mix over 100F because the SH will start to break down too fast and it evaporates quicker on the roof.

A 90F roof mix is a good temperature.

YovaniR · Guest

what about for rinsing purposes. im located in california where we have alot of tile roofs with alot of algae. and we also dont get alot of rain so most customers might want a rinsed roof. would u guys think that heated water might aide in removing this algae and mold?

Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 · guest

It probably would help rinse faster as it will absorb more chem faster

YovaniR · Guest

might have to give it a try. ill let you guys know how everything comes out. any other guys from california out there. if so please let me know how do you guys deal with rinsing since we don't get alot of rain?

Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 · guest

So far this year I have visited La, Fresno and San Francisco CA, Denver, Chicago, Boston, soutern Pa, Carbondale PA, Conneticut, and Cape May NJ. Fresno was the only spot that still had naturally clean roofs, but as near as Half Moon Bay CA the roofs were covered in Algae. You all better get on it or my friends and family might?? South jersey tourist areas are in need of a pro big time!!

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"