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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

I think I've got the simplest solution. Sh, water, soap. There's 1 small additive but is it VERY cheap (like $2 per 100 gl).

I stopped using TSP because it was so dang hard to mix. I have been reading into borax again. I didn't realize that borax had a ph of 9.5.

if you were able to blend TSP easily would it make a good cleaner?

Roof Cleaning New Jersey wrote:

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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

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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.

Jeff

I love Apple cider! Stayed with it since I started using it. 'Bout a year and 2-3 months now!



-- Edited by gutterdog on Sunday 24th of October 2010 05:28:23 PM

I hate to say it Clyde but I can't say what it is.

Matthew,

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.



-- Edited by Vertical Lift Services on Sunday 24th of October 2010 09:26:21 PM

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.