Just wondering after all the testing and experimenting with different products if anyone still uses the original mix and arguably the best mix for roof cleaning?
It seems we've all tried to reinvent,.. simply for the sake of making something our own. I personally have yet to use anything simpler or better than the original. I admit that I have also got away from TSP,..but I'm heading back in that direction,..although not expecting to go back to TSP. This topic isn't about what I'm currently using,.but simply wondering why we've all got away from probably the best mix. I remember using this mix,..and it is still the best. It's thick on it's own without adding soaps and is potent.
I know I like experimenting,..and have used just about every mixture we've discussed over the years. But, I realized this season that simpler is the better way.
I realize that TSP is banned for sale in a few states.
Jeff I couldn't agree more. I've tried most of the mixes and have found that the more you add the weaker the solution seems to get! However roofs in my area are pretty steep so the dwell factor is always an issue.
Mike
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MJFulton Services Non pressure Roof & Exterior Cleaning Charlottesville Virginia 434 906-0414
I find it not difficult at all to mix tsp. Once it's dissolved why would it any harder to mix than any other additive
Ed do you always use TSP I guess you like it, are there any are their any disadvantage, or concerns using TSP, and how much do you use per 100 gallon mix?
Yea, TSP can be a pain to dissolve,...which is why I think it's been done away with in most peoples' mix. I figured that would be the consensus. But it does give the SH extra kick and attacks other air dirt that the SH will not. Nice to see at least a few guys are still using it,...I think keeping it simple is the best.
Just seems like we've been working hard to perfect the best mix that alot of us,..including me,.. has got away from a basic mix that works. I personally don't like soapy soap in my mix,...I think it can be made thick with out soapy bubbles,...which is why I'm now going away from soap.
Good to hear everyones thoughts,..as this isn't a judgment,..it's just kinda' a survey.
Since I do a lot of tile roofs and many are repainted I have never used TSP on them. I do however us it for doing bare concrete driveways and love it for that application.
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Matthew C Perry General Manager Callahan Pro Wash Professional Exterior Cleaning Services Roof Cleaning, Pressure Washing, Paver Cleaning and Restoration 813-727-5161 callahanprowash.gmail.com
I hate to say it Clyde but I can't say what it is.
Scott why is it then that as a moderator you are assigned to chemicals and you are not going to be forthcoming on giving advise on better products? are we going to have to hear you say I'm not allowed to say what I use because of your aggreement with AC, why did you mention it then.
-- Edited by Roof Cleaning NJ on Sunday 24th of October 2010 06:04:26 PM
Since you are cleaning a lot of concrete have you found applying the apple cider mix on the prewet concrete works the best before you run your surface cleaner? If there is something else that works better please either call or email me. Also, what are you using when there is a lot of iron stains also on the algae, mildew stained concrete? Thanks for your assistance.
RoofandConcreteCleaning by Vertical Lift Services
Steve@VerticalLiftServices.com 704-791-8315
-- Edited by Vertical Lift Services on Sunday 24th of October 2010 09:26:21 PM
I love using TSP, and still use it depending on the roof and the whole job, if there are sky lights i stay away from it,if im washing the house I wont add it but it seems to take longer for the roof to get clean when I dont use it , also i noticed when using tsp the roof seems brighter espeacially after a few good rains... so yes Jeff I still use it probley always will...
Dave
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Elite Roof Cleaners Roof Cleaning Missouri & Kansas City
We take the lime and the coconut and mix it all together....
Oh wait that's after work...
My current mix is 1 cup Lauramine oxide 20 gallons SH 30 gallons Water Some algaecide, that AC taught everyone for free in Tampa and some of that secret stuff Scott is talking about that makes the mix work way faster.
I was using Borax and TSP TSP will help trap the borax on the roof, similar to the way phosphates are used to trap nitrogen on farm fertilizers.
The problem is TSP actually causes algae to grow!! That's why it is marked by the EPA. But I did like the way it cleaned, and we use it for paint prep.
Jeff I agree the foaming of the surfactants is not an effect we need and makes it harder to see the roof. We need a nonfoaming surfactant. TSP acts as one, but it's expensive. We noticed that the roofs we cleaned with TSP grew algae back faster.
Remember SH is not giving you a 100% kill ratio. You need to add some fungacides/algaecides for this.
I think longevity is why Chris' Apple Sauce has the addition of Borax in it. CH is probably the best thing I've used for longevity. If it weren't for the drawbacks with it I'd have switched years ago.
There are roofs I've done 5-6 years ago with CH that are still infection free.
I hate to say it Clyde but I can't say what it is.
Scott why is it then that as a moderator you are assigned to chemicals and you are not going to be forthcoming on giving advise on better products? are we going to have to hear you say I'm not allowed to say what I use because of your aggreement with AC, why did you mention it then.
-- Edited by Roof Cleaning NJ on Sunday 24th of October 2010 06:04:26 PM
Clyde, I appreciate the questions.
Being a Mod over a section does not mean that you have to reveal every secret you have. And yes it is because of my contract with AC. I signed an agreement and intend to honor that. I mention it because I posted what mix I use and not at least mentioning the extra ingredient would not be being truthful. I could have left it out and said just SH, Water and soap, but that would not have been true.
Believe me, there are ALOT of secrets every Mod has that you will never see on an open board. Our job is to Moderate these sections, not be the authority over what should or is being used.