I sat here thinking why that guy would post that about us. I've come up with two possible conclusions:
2. A clean roof makes his job more difficult doing the roof inspection. Hail damage etc is A LOT easier to spot on a roof covered in algae as opposed to a clean roof. I truly think he's pissed because we make him actually put down the binoculars and physically climb the roof.
1. At some point he crossed a roof cleaner using high pressure and damaging shingles.
Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa FL (813) 655-8777 wrote:
Chowell77 wrote:
I sat here thinking why that guy would post that about us. I've come up with two possible conclusions:
2. A clean roof makes his job more difficult doing the roof inspection. Hail damage etc is A LOT easier to spot on a roof covered in algae as opposed to a clean roof. I truly think he's pissed because we make him actually put down the binoculars and physically climb the roof.
1. At some point he crossed a roof cleaner using high pressure and damaging shingles.
I think this is your answer !
My thoughts exactly Chris.
Unfortunately there are more jack-lag gypsy power washing guys out there still pressure washing roofs more than there are RCIA guys who clean roofs right using the no pressure chemical only process.
We will cross that line one day and outnumber the hacks pressure washing roofs!
In August, I was asked to come and speak before my local ASHI group (Home inspector association of some type) which was about a group of 45-55 inspectors. It was a very informative hour, and they kinda reminded me of our association, in that they seemed to share a similar brotherhood. They seemed to appreciate the information that i provided them, and any potential non-believers stayed quiet. I was asked by the former president of the association to join him on a local public radio show that he hosted called THE House P.I. (formerly on HGTV) I accepted and the following was broadcast to millions of people. Just Kidding. maybe 4-5 people?
Any one entertain the idea of associations with National Roofing Contractors Association as well. They do not seem to offer much in the advice department to consumers for cleaning?
http://www.nrca.net/consumer/faq.aspx
Excerpt for consumers- "Q. How do I clean algae and moss from my asphalt shingle roof?
A. Use a mild solution of chlorine bleach and water or mild detergent gently applied with a sponge or hand-held sprayer and rinse thoroughly. Do not use a power washer or high concentrations of bleach, and do not scrub the shingle surface. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association also offers cleaning recommendations."
There is also the roofers coffee shop, some of the other retired /roofers here may already know of this site, but they have one hell of a following and have been around since 1998.
http://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/
If we could get RCIA in the mix of these two might help the SEO? Chris?? What do you all think about getting affiliated with some major orgs like this ?
Roof cleaning is discussed by home inspectors and they might be another point of contact for refferals. But there is one guy ( the Editor) in this forum that does not like us very well, Don't understand why, but maybe we can gain some alliance with them in some way. Here is an excerpt that is sure to piss well everyone, BUT, we need to understand, what is his problem with roof cleaners? and maybe to turn this attitude into a positive one, which can bring a possible alliance with the inspection industry.
Or maybe I could be wrong about that industry?
"Still convinced the stuff (algae) does damage roof covers. ( they agree it does damage roofs)
Bill, for the record, I hate roof cleaning companies. (why) If I were King of the Planet, the state would issue home inspectors seasonal hunting licenses and allow them to thin out the roof cleaner herd once a year. Every inspector would have a 2-kill limit. Inspectors would be lauded as heroes for doing a service to humanity. " ( is this attitude costing us clients? )
ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!
Mike(Is the editor for the web posts @12,632 so he been at this awhile.)
I never did find that exact post you quoted here, but after reading nearly a 100 of his posts, I can see that this guy is a self-appointed hero-expert. Retired military police and detective who got involved in construction when he was a kid. 27 years away from the construction industry and now he's an expert. His whole program is just one man's opinion. Don't think he is worth messing with. He would never change his opinion or else he would suffer from loss of followers. JMHO Gary
Originally Posted by Rick Hurst I've seen people clean the staining off the roofing material with the cleaner made for decks.
Its the same thing I think they use on older fencing to remove the gray before the fencing is stained with color.
It does smell like it has a high concentration of bleach in the material.
Rick There is actually a product at home depot just for cleaning roofs. It does not contain bleach. I have used it and it was applied just as Jerry said.
Spray & Forget, No Rinse, Roof and Siding Cleaner - Removes Green & Black Algae, Mildew, Moss, and Lichen Stains from External Surfaces
Here is another one: Roof Cleaner from JNK Products
I did an inspection on a roof years back. The homeowner was having a big party so before the party, they pressure cleaned their roof. They cleaned off all of the granules from almost every shingle. Needless to say, another recommendation for replacement! It was a six year old roof!
And this......
Re: What all causes shingle discoloration I tried something on the house we bought up here, to see what it does and how it works out.
There is a company which 'cleans' shingle roofs with a bleach/water/degreaser solution, which is sprayed out at a low pressure (less than garden hose pressure) through a section of PVC with what looked like (and I am sure it was) a half circle sprinkler head on the end. The spray was minimal, yet you could see it building up on the shingles and running down the roof.
After this set and dried out, they went around and rinsed it off with the same sprayer and plain water from a garden hose (this time at garden hose pressure, they hooked it up to the garden hose).
I was surprised that the solution cleaned as thoroughly as it did (the roof looks great and has NO stains on it). They give a 5 year guaranty too, and will come back at anytime within that 5 years and retreat at no cost (no bull, one of my new neighbors had this done to his house and they were coming back to retreat his (after 3 years, there was limited staining re-appearing) for no charge, so I figured there was not much to lose.
I figure our roof has less than 5 years left on it (it's a 9:12 slope, so it drains very well), so what did I have to lose. The staining was algae - the bleach kills it, the water dilutes the mix, the degreaser is for longevity.
I asked about the solution and they were hesitant to tell me, but I did get out of them that it was not just bleach and water, but the degreaser is what allows them give the 5 year warranty. Don't know what the mix ratio was, couldn't get that out of them.
Talk about roof slope, one neighbor has a 14:12 slope and another has a 20:12 on part of their roof, and another is even steeper on the front section. Talk about a 'water slide' like those kids built.
-- Edited by gutterdog on Sunday 5th of December 2010 11:15:09 AM
My opinion on home inspectors is the vast majority don't know what they are doing without all their bells and whistles. Few could go to a home and do a visual inspection without all their fancy gadgets and be out in 1 - 1 1/2 hrs. Which is what an average inspection should take. The have a disclaimer for everything. Few have the years of experience it takes to understand the workings of a home and all are experts! Just ask them! I have shot more holes in inspection reports over the years when customers call complaining about the report. So, as Gary said about that guy...
"He would never change his opinion or else he would suffer from loss of followers"
Kim has a point to eventually win these guys over but when the godfather is speaking with 1300 posts, that's a tough battle. Kim, you gonna join that forum and win them over?
why not? they agree that pressure has no place on a roof, but the point is why do I care? It is the trickle down effect is the reason and consumer/industry education. They are a classic case of why in some arenas roof cleaning has a not so good reputation. lack of knowledge, simply put. Do I accept the challenge Absolutely. I have nothing to lose. Going back a few months, a local competitor loves to pressure wash roofs and has made it a mission to oust RCIA methods, so it can only be a benefit to add the insight they have experienced during the inspection process of damages from pressure washing, allies are good at any level. KIM R
-- Edited by Presidential Pressure Washing on Monday 6th of December 2010 09:30:59 AM
Any one entertain the idea of associations with National Roofing Contractors Association as well. They do not seem to offer much in the advice department to consumers for cleaning?
http://www.nrca.net/consumer/faq.aspx
Excerpt for consumers- "Q. How do I clean algae and moss from my asphalt shingle roof?
A. Use a mild solution of chlorine bleach and water or mild detergent gently applied with a sponge or hand-held sprayer and rinse thoroughly. Do not use a power washer or high concentrations of bleach, and do not scrub the shingle surface. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association also offers cleaning recommendations."
There is also the roofers coffee shop, some of the other retired /roofers here may already know of this site, but they have one hell of a following and have been around since 1998.
http://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/
If we could get RCIA in the mix of these two might help the SEO? Chris?? What do you all think about getting affiliated with some major orgs like this ?
KIM R
The MORE exposure for RCIA Kim, the better. The RCCA is up in Michigan, I have contacted them before, nice people!
Roofers Coffee Shop is in dire need of some direction, been reading some posts and many of them , well really most do not know where to send customers for cleaning. there is one member over there that is also a RCIA member, but never really took to roof cleaning in his business. He has referred to RCIA as a source for info. So there is a nitch for us over there. I think a referral type of a program could be beneficial to both entities. And for the inspector web site, posted, will see what happens.
TC Kim R
RCS -Forum dialog Lead near Harrisburg PA ] , Tuesday, June 01, 2010 @ 7:50 PM I am a : Roofer I have a former customer that has moved to the Harrisburg area. He has a mold/algae problem and I told him I would find him a roofer. If interested let me know.
: [ RE: Lead near Harrisburg PA ] , Tuesday, June 01, 2010 @ 9:01 PM I am a : Former Estimator GKRFG I'm in the Harrisburg area, Carlisle. Algae/mold is a common problem in sections of the area. I can only recommend a company or two but in all honesty, my findings of observing roofs they are always the older gray of color shingles. Zinc strips are recommended at the ridges but it may be worhtwhile replacing the roof. I'm not going to recommend any company knowing that they don't want anything to do with it. Sincerely, PC
-- Edited by Presidential Pressure Washing on Monday 6th of December 2010 03:26:27 PM
A roof I sold this year; the HO asked a roofer first how much to clean? The roofer told her it would be about the same price to clean as to replace. Well I got the job.
I got a call for 40 roofs, apt complex. I got there and they wanted a price for repair and replace. Theres a roofing company round the corner from me. I took their info and ran it to the roofing company hoping I could make friends!
Well I dont know if they got the job or what! I told them that if I ever got a call like this again, or if I get a roof that is beyond cleaning I would recomend them! I even spoke to the owner the following day.
I dont think they will throw me any work. Prob lurking here at the RCIA now, lol!!!
I'll try another roofing company maybe. A washer is taking money from a roofer. Why shouldnt the roofer learn how to wash? Or tell them it cant be washed? I'd rather sell a 5-6,000 job that a 5-600?
What's in it for the roofer? To throw work to a roof cleaner? Heck, I'd like to get 10% of that apt job, 10% of a roof clean aint much, compared to if the replaced it or washed it themselves.
Roofers usually do not want to go through the process and do dual duty, while some do, not all. It is just more equipment, time to learn,more employees etc. Many do not see it viable if there isn't what they think is a big profit. But you do have your one man crew that might steal work from you. I would suggest maybe someone in the middle to work with. But I understand what your saying, more competition would suck, any thoughts how to get our names out there without giving away the farm? Kim R
Roofers usually do not want to go through the process and do dual duty, while some do, not all. It is just more equipment, time to learn,more employees etc. Many do not see it viable if there isn't what they think is a big profit. But you do have your one man crew that might steal work from you. I would suggest maybe someone in the middle to work with. But I understand what your saying, more competition would suck, any thoughts how to get our names out there without giving away the farm? Kim R
I dont know?
The wash industry as a whole is changing right now.Not just no pressure roof washing. The book I'm bringing to NOVA meeting tells alot! Info that wasnt there before, for anyone to just buy the book.
What is the book or where did you get it, sounds really interesting. Wish we could be there @NOVA sounds like a great thing to get together. But I am flying out of Mi. on thurs, and Rand will be out of here on the 20th I think. Nice to plan another event before Spring hits, that would be good if we could put it centrally located for everyone. Online would guarantee a large turn out, like a virtual conference room. Is there a way you might be able to video/audio tape the speakers at your event? Kim R