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Roof Cleaning Memphis TN (901) 826-8370 wrote:

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This is directed at the guys getting one to three gallons run off.

I get way more than that. Recently, I tried a different method of spraying and got only one to two gallons run off.

I thought Great I figured it out. Then the homeowner called and said his roof was still dirty. I immediately went back. The algae was killed but could still be seen on roof where it had started to run off.

He suggested we wait until after a rain and see what happened.( this guy has a large property management group and was trying me out on his own house) It was a week before it rained and the stuff had time to bake. It didn't come off. So, I went back and hit it again with the stuff and then rinsed. Voila!! It came clean.

Now he wants me to clean a bunch of small roofs for 200-300 bucks a piece.

At that price I will HAVE to conserve mix. I told him I could do that provided we lined up 4-5 houses for each day.

I want low run off but, want them clean when I leave. Cannot asfford to make repeat trips for that price.

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Rodney, you mentioned methods you used, but didn't specify?

After 20+ years of roof cleaning without pressure, my greatest concern is always minimizing runoff. On each job I also water constantly and tarp some or all plants-depending on gutters or touchy plants, like hybiscus etc.

We started out with small Sureflo pumps and 3/8" ID hoses and there was basically no run off to be concerned about.

Then, we tried a dozen other pumps through the years.

Because of being very busy, we even used a Fat Boy and 3/4" garden hose, but the runoff control was more time consuming than using smaller pumps / hoses was!

I didn't feel secure unless I went back and rinsed the plants off the next day or got the homeowner to agree to rinse them for the next 3 days and discounting my price to get them to basically 'work for me'?

We now use a 2gpm Delavan and have basically no run off.

For large roofs or ones with few plants, we use a 5gpm Delavan or my tandem rigged of two 2gpm Delavans, which in actuality puts out almost exactly 3gpm-I test every setup carefully-time them-measure the gpm at the end of my 200' 1/2" ID Kuritec hose etc.

As I said, you didn't specify, but having used every 12 volt diaphram pump [and one roller pump which broke the 2nd week I believe?]

I suggest a 2gpm Delavan / 1/2" or 5/8" hose-up to 200'

The 5/8" hose will get you a bit more gpm than a 1/2"

Hope this is of some help?

The 1st 2 pictures are before and after with tarping [ customer saw one of my ads and requested tarping-otherwise, most tarps wouldn't have been needed-it had gutters almost all the way around! ] and the one with the old van is from my 1st year no pressure roof cleaning / sureflo pump and 3/8" hose!

Chuck

 

-- Edited by Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 on Sunday 17th of April 2011 10:48:46 AM

-- Edited by Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 on Sunday 17th of April 2011 10:50:46 AM

Roof Cleaning Cleveland (216) 323-0552 wrote:

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 Speed is more of a concern for me than run off. My lower gpm pump was great for limiting run off but was slow. I'm using the pentaflex 7 gpm pump now and love it. Almost all homes here have gutters with connected downspouts so I'm not too concerned about run off.

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You have the key Tom!

More speed more runoff- less speed less runoff.

I went from 1.4 gpm Sureflows in 1991 up to a 1.8 Sureflos, up to other odd Flojets - a roller pump - etc, then to a 5gpm Delavan then to a Fat Boy [very very briefly!] then back down to a 2gpm Delavan for most jobs and a 5 for others. Reason being, I do not want the extra speed. I have come to feel that being on a roof for 1 1/4 hours with a 7gpm or for 2 1/4 hours with a 2gpm [ and that's about the difference I saw TOPS! ] ends up not making enough difference down here doing 90% tile roofs. Getting a bit less work done-if that even happens? Doesn't bother me. Run Off keeps me awake at night though!

I have been out in my garage for the last 2 hours, trying to make an ultimate setup for the 2gpm, so that I get all I can possibly get! 3/4" intake { I wish Delavan made the in and outs with male pipe thread and 3/4" in and out ID's so that there would be less constriction than putting an insert into the 1/2" ID's???? } I have drilled out one of my hose reels, for less constriction as the 1/2" hose goes in and comes out and I'm brainstorming some other thoughts as well.

I have been using a tandem of two 2gpm pumps, but what I don't like is the double likelihood of pump failure.

I will be heading back out there now and spend the whole day at it. Because once I find the ultimate setup, I will change all 3 pumps I carry to that configuration-including the 5gpm.

I just want all that each can possibly give me and no pump cycling with smaller tips.

Well, back I go!

SEEYA!

 Chuck

If you get the homes lined up dont worry about run off. If you get a couple of roofs lined up reuse the run off either str8 up on the next roof as the first coat or juice up the run off with some fresh S/H. Run off used right away is still very strong. I think it will save you some money on the job.

I have the fatboy with an accumulator tank. I have been told that I can use whatever tip id like, constricting the amount of love or using alot and the accumulator will allow everything to work great. Im using 200' of 1/2" ID kuri tek. Seems to work fine so far. Does that sound right? If the 7gpm dies I will probably go to a 5.8.

Central Iowa Roof Cleaning 515-971-1430 wrote:

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Since using the Fatboy Bandit from Bob with actuator I get very little run and I don't use surfactant any longer.

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Hi Bruce!

Actuator?

I don't know what that is?

Did you maybe mean accumulator? Or this something new?

Chuck

 

Roof Cleaning Raleigh NC wrote:

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The accumulator comes with 20 psi. from the factory. Is anyone changing the pressure in it?

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I bought one from Bob at Pressure Tek, but haven't hooked it up yet.

If anyone has any advice, including the pressure setting etc, I'd be glad to hear it!

I didn't want to set it up until I get my next new 5gpm pump to use with it.

Thanks,

Chuck

 

Roof Cleaning Raleigh NC wrote:

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That's where I got mine.

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 Have you tried to use it yet?

YOU GO FIRST!

Then you can tell me how to set mine up right!

Chuck

 

landisconstruction wrote:

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I just spoke with Bob today to make sure my accumulator was set right after reading 20psi on this thread. I use a poly gun with this setup, Bob said, set it at 50psi with the gun pulled and the pump switch off. This is what my current setting is and it works great. I can almost get away with no run off on an average job.

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Thanks Barry!

I will try setting mine up this week some time, with your info!

Are you using a 5gpm Delavan?

I stuck it on a pump, when I first got it, set at 20psi and it was like it was not even there?

No change.

Chuck

 

landisconstruction wrote:

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Chuck,

I'm running the 7GPM Fat Boy pump.

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Hmmmm, I wonder if the 50psi is right for the 5gpm???

Thanks barry,

Chuck