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I have been a pressure washing contractor since 1978 and cleaned roofs with pressure washers here in Florida from 1989 to 1991. To my knowledge, there was no other method of removing the black algae stains from tile and shingled roofs etc.

The roofs came clean, but I sure hated watching the granules on the shingles come off with the algae! Same with the tile- I hated watching the nice glazing on some tile roofs get blasted dull, or see the cement along the ridges go flying off into space, when hit with the power of the pressure washer! Even more was that if the tile, or built up roof was painted [roof coatings] inevitably, chips and large areas would be blowing in the air, leaving the now clean roof, looking terrible and in need of an expensive roof coating job!

THEN IN 1991 I CAME UP WITH AN IDEA! USING A STRONGER SOLUTION OF CHLORINE, SURFACTANT ANS SOAP, TO CHEMICALLY CLEAN ROOFS WITHOUT PRESSURE!

It was a great idea, but as it turned out, I was not the 1st to think of it!

Within that year, I found SOFT WASH roof cleaning systems available to buy!

I have owned many since then!

Please read on:

Ugly black algae, left in place on the roof, eats around those granules and the rain removes them. Still eventually destroying the roof and spoiling it's appearance and resale value. With tile roofs, pressure removes the glazing many tile roofs come with. Pressure also blows pieces of cement that hold the ridgecaps in place off into space! If your tile roof is painted, pressure will blow portions of paint off all over the roof, leaving it in need of an expensive paint job!

Even some of these "Non Pressure" systems are what I consider overkill, so I have tried them all and settled on what I consider the best for my customers. Some are designed to do a roof very quickly, using 7 gallon per minute pumps on up! Others [because they are cheap ] very slowly- 1 gpm pumps. I am in the middle and pleased with my results with both 2 gallon per minute pumps and a 2nd system of 3 gpm. I want the cleaning solution to remain on the roof, not to run off the roof or into the gutters.

In my attached web blog, you can read how the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association says to clean roofs. That is the only method I use. So your warranty will not be voided.

Please email me at softwashing@gmail.com

Or call me at:

Englewood  941-474-8883

Cape Haze, Placida, Rotonda, Grove City  941-698-1959

Englewood, Rotonda, Venice, Nokomis, Osprey, Sarasota. Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Placida Florida  941-698-1959

You can go directly to my blog here-

http://bergman-chuck-roof-cleaning-soft-wash.blogspot.com/2011/01/bergman-roof-cleaning-soft-wash-no.html

Or read on below about: HEALTH ISSUES CAUSED BY UNCLEANED ROOFS AS WRITTEN BY
Dr Victor H Morgenroth

Can A Dirty Roof Make You Sick? Read what Doctor Victor H Morgenroth, who is a semi-retired adjunct professor at UM had to say on the subject.
The " dirt " on roofs could actually be causing illness. This is an excerpt from an article that was written by Dr. Morgenroth.
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"Having your roof cleaned actually makes sense.
It isn't just aesthetics. While people like to say that dirty roofs lower a property's value and may make it hard to sell, the "dirt" on a roof actually shortens its life span and can even present a health hazard. Furthermore, the "dark stains" on a roof act as a sponge to absorb the sun's heat, which causes a rise in the temperature inside a home or building, creating higher air conditioning bills.
The dirt isn't just dust – It's alive. Some of the black or very dark roof stains are caused by a resilient type of algae,Gloeocapsa magma (a type of blue-green algae commonly found in climates with warm, humid summers). The algae grow in standing water, as well as in our lakes and ponds. The algal spores are carried to our roofs from the water sources by the wind and birds, and then from roof to roof where it grows and feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles and the real dirt on tile roofs maybe in some cases the tiles themselves. Worse still, as the algae grow, they retain water and foster the growth of other roof inhabitants.
The black stains are also very likely to harbor a number of molds or fungi. Unlike algae the fungi on our roofs lacks chlorophyll. They are unable to manufacture food from raw materials. So, it must get nutrition from some form of organic matter. To thrive, these heterotrophs, who used to be called saprophytes, also require a warm, humid environment.
Fungi normally begin their life cycle as an airborne spore that settles on roofs, especially the asphalt-shingle ones. The spores on the northern exposure of the roof stand a better chance of survival because that portion of the roof is the last part to dry after a rain or morning dew. This raises the humidity on the surface of the shingle, thus creating a perfect feeding and breeding ground.
The tar used in roofing is fossilized, dead organic matter -- and an important food source for fungi. Asphalt, at the granule base, is normally consumed first. Once these granules dislodge, accelerated deterioration will occur. Ceramic granules represent the outer hard shell that protects against hail and other falling debris. Ceramic granules protect against damaging UV radiation and insulate the roof against extreme heat. So you can understand that their dislodgement by the growing fungal colonies can be detrimental to our roofs' longevity. Surprisingly, the blue-green algae are also food for the fungi.
While not all mold (fungi) and algae pose a health danger, some are harmful, especially for us older folks, younger children and people who suffer from asthma and respiratory problems. Their spores, which are on your roof, can get inside your home because they end up on the driveway and walkways from rain, and are easily tracked inside. They can even be drawn into our air conditioning systems and eventually populate our ducts.
Different mold species can have varying health effects, but it is important to remember that any excessive mold growth needs to be taken care of, regardless of the species. Any excessive mold growth can lead to increased allergies, toxicity, and house/building structural problems."
Dr Victor H Morgenroth

-- Edited by Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 on Saturday 30th of April 2011 03:34:20 PM