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I'M NOT AN EXPERT!!!

Okay having made that disclaimer...

A slightly damp roof isn't a problem. I've wet one or two down myself on purpose on a really hot day. Done a few on a morning when the dew hadn't dried all the way either.
Unless you see puddles I wouldn't worry about it. If you do see puddles, the guy needs more than a roof clean.

Just my opinion.

I have cleaned plenty of wet roofs, after a rain. It is really cool spraying a wet roof, and watching it clean, it kind of cleans in waves, just takes chemical a little bit longer is all. It has been so hot here in Tampa lately we have been pre wetting some shingle roofs intentionally, to cool em down a bit.

the cleaners are not as effective when the roof is 140 degrees?

Thanks

Wait till you are cleaning a tlle roof on a hot day with a slight breeze & the breeze stops...  The heat radiating from the tiles & the evaporation of the chemicals will knock you for a loop.  Pre wet the roof & you will not have that problem.  You will also not use as much SH because the roof wont evaporate it on contact. 

zjim wrote:

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Chris why would you want to cool a roof down? My way of thinking is the hotter the better is this wrong?

-- Edited by zjim on Sunday 13th of June 2010 10:46:30 PM

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Read, this.

Sodium hypochlorite is most effective at a slightly acid pH (between 6 and 7). Sodium hypochlorite will lose its strength over time due to evaporation of chlorine, so it should be purchased in volumes that can be used in a relatively short time. The rate at which activity is lost is greater at warmer temperatures, so this sanitizer should be stored at room temperature or slightly cooler. For the same reason, sodium hypochlorite should,be used at a temperature below 120°F. Sodium hypochlorite is effectively neutralized by protein and to a lesser extent by other food components, so it is essential to clean well before using it. Sodium hypochlorite corrodes metals and can damage the skin. Nevertheless, the relatively low cost and broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity make sodium hypochlorite the standard against which other sanitizers are measured.

Here in Tampa, it has been 95 degrees lately, meaning roof shingle temperatures may approach 120 degrees, maybe hotter ?  Pre Wetting a roof drops the temperature, lessens fumes as Dan from Pristine pointed out, and even aids in the cleaning!

Read again Sodium hypochlorite is effectively neutralized by protein and to a lesser extent by other food components, so it is essential to clean well before using it

This pre wetting satisfies the above suggestion, especially if a surfactant or TSP is used in the Pre Wetting !

When doing a shingle roof for Mom and Dad, or a really good friend, and you want the very BEST cleaning, here is what you do, if you have 2 tanks like all our roof cleaning trucks do.

Mix one tank with water and whatever soap you have handy, spray the roof with this, then rinse with fresh water. Then, hit the soap/water pre wet and rinsed roof with your roof cleaning mix, and behold. This makes the best looking roof cleaning you can get, it is just very time consuming. But Mom and Dad are worth it, right ?

Try it sometime, you will see a difference, assuming enough roofing granules are still on the shingles before you start.

Markus wrote:

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Chris. You are the Man! My parents and friends will thank you for sharing your roof cleaning secret of spraying the roof cleaning mix after using the soap/water pre wet and rinse method.... Great tip...

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If you want the very BEST cleaning, this is one wat to get it. Remember Markus, sodium hypochlorite is helpless against grease and dirt, oil and grease are in the air we breath in the form of hydrocarbon emissions. The pre wet with a grease eating soap or surfactant like TSP, or whatever you have will pre clean the algae of grease and dirt, and allow better penetration of the roof cleaning mix into the shingles.

Yes, it takes longer, but here are my thoughts on this. Roof Cleaning is not a road race, you want to be seen out cleaning roofs, and you want every job when you are new to cleaning roofs to bea showpiece, remember, we are leaving yard signs out for customers to see. I built Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa on quality work, my roofs stood out from the chlorine cowboys, and splash and dash artists.

 

Well thank you for all your kind and expert advice guys.I did get both roofs done and picked up and cleaned a third today. And yes Chris it was kind of funky watching it work after the rain.It did rain three times today but in between each job thank god.So all three roofs were wet when i shot em in.Im just hoping for a down pour tonite...................

I just havent had to yet Bill. Its good to know other options. To bag or not to bag, To a new guy I would suggest bagging.