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opie451 · Aug 25, 2011

RE: Chris Tucker describes how to do roof cleaning

Aug 25, 2011

Diamond Roof Cleaning New Jersey (1-800-Roof-Clean) wrote:
I walk 90 % off the roofs we do. With that said the stabilizer bar gives some added security and keeps from scratching the top of the gutter. Also it prevents the ladder from moving left to right when pulling up the hose. Most homes are pitched at least 8/12 and up they are not always fun to walk. You can call me what you want but i know im doing it the safest it can be done. If you chose not to use a bar then thats your choice. And Yes it will dent and scratch the gutter without one.

I just took a peek at your website. NICE WEBSITE!

I noticed you have only done this for 4 years. That explains a lot. After 20 or 30 years, you will understand us old timers better.

If you scratch gutters without a standoff, by all means, you should use one.

I've worn out more stabilizers in the last 33 years, than you will see for a long time! biggrin

Aug 25, 2011

opie451 wrote:
Ok I'm a newbie and have a question for Chris or anybody really. In the video Chris said the SH was cut to 33 1/3 in laymans terms around 4%. That's less than bleach you buy in the store. How is it so effective??? Obviously there is surfactants in the mix, but isn't the SH what gives it its mold killing and brightening power???

Also another newbie question; instead of misting the roof over and over again couldn't you stand at the top of the roof with almost an open hose no tip and just let the "love run down the roof( like a garden hose without the squirter at the end). Obviously adding more if needed to reach the gutter??

30 - 35% SH is the common mix for shingles. More is not better.

You could flood it, as you mentioned, but you would waste SH and flood the ground under the roof too.

It may look like "misting" but it's not. It's a reasonably heavy spray coming out.

Some portions of roofs are blacker than others and require more or less SH mix.

A flood running down the roof would have no control over what is needed.

Aug 25, 2011

Ugly Shingles wrote:
I usually walk the roofs to clean them, did this one yesterday. I think it is easier, safer and don't miss any unseen areas.

We do too Bob. We may do 1 out of 25 from a ladder, at most.

Gotta admit, that one you did is one scary looking job! blankstare

We did this one yesterday and walked it all.

It started raining, just as we finished, so I'm going to get "AFTER" pictures tomorrow.

Ugly Shingles LLC · Aug 25, 2011

Randy and Kim stopped by the job Monday and they forgot to bring lunch.

Roof Cleaning West Chester PA · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

that would definitely go under the non walkable for me ... i guess you're just more of a man than i'll ever be, lol ... those are the roofs i look for out in PA, big $$$$

Roof Cleaning Bradenton FL 941-822-2454 · Guest

Next time ok? Speedway menu?

Kim R

Roof Cleaning Tallahassee · Guest

Holy Crap Ugly!!! If my wife saw me walking a roof like that she'd chew me out and make me be the ground guy! biggrin

Nice work!!!

Aug 25, 2011

Roof Cleaning West Chester PA wrote:
that would definitely go under the non walkable for me ... i guess you're just more of a man than i'll ever be, lol ... those are the roofs i look for out in PA, big $$$$

It would go under "JOBS I'M NOT INTERESTED IN DOING" for me!

I have half a dozen or more a year, that I just don't want anything to do with.

RCIA Founder

Some roof we will walk away from, if they are too cheap to allow us a lift.

aaron61 · Guest

Ugly Shingles wrote:
I usually walk the roofs to clean them, did this one yesterday. I think it is easier, safer and don't miss any unseen areas.

Holly Crap Bob! You wouldn't be able to stick a pin up my butt on that 1. Although my boy John would shimmy up that 1 with no problem.

Aug 26, 2011

I don't even bother with renting lifts anymore.
If I pass by one job, there will always be another, it seems.

Maverick Contracting · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

Lol, northern roofs can be super steep to shed snow, that looks like a 16/12 pitch!? I've been on 12/12 repairing a chimney that the slate roofer/bricklayer wouldn't touch, but I'd be watchin where I step with my bare eyes rather than lookin thru a camera/camcorder, thats a bit ballsy! More power to you.

Guest

Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 wrote:
Diamond Roof Cleaning New Jersey (1-800-Roof-Clean) wrote:
I walk 90 % off the roofs we do. With that said the stabilizer bar gives some added security and keeps from scratching the top of the gutter. Also it prevents the ladder from moving left to right when pulling up the hose. Most homes are pitched at least 8/12 and up they are not always fun to walk. You can call me what you want but i know im doing it the safest it can be done. If you chose not to use a bar then thats your choice. And Yes it will dent and scratch the gutter without one.
I just took a peek at your website. NICE WEBSITE!
I noticed you have only done this for 4 years. That explains a lot. After 20 or 30 years, you will understand us old timers better.
If you scratch gutters without a standoff, by all means, you should use one.
I've worn out more stabilizers in the last 33 years, than you will see for a long time!

chuck thanks for the compliment on the website. Yes i have been in business for 4 yr but been doing this for 6 yrs. Also i have been in the construction field for 18 yrs so i have more than 4 yrs experiance. Like i said before i choose to use a stabilizer bar and you have the right to choose not to. wink

RCIA Founder

Good post Mike smile My ex driving instructor told me always to wear a motorcycle helmet, then I saw him at Daytona on his Harley, w/o one biggrin

Doug R · Guest

Been doing this for 25 years, same ladder stabilizer all those years. Wouldn't go on a roof without one. Just to use it to I guess.

gutterdog · Aug 30, 2011

Great thread! Glad I found it! We spray the roof and hit it good. There are always touchups. The touchups we see we sprayagain, Wait for the roof to dry some and go back and hit the black and brown stains again. The brown stains do rinse in the rain, but I tightened that up and we are back to spraying the brown ones again. Increased WOW effect!

It was a pleasure watching all 4 videos! Everyone has tweaked and tuned their style of washing roofs. It's best to know the 50 pt standard. And start from their and create your style knowing the dangers. I carry 2 22fts, one with stabilizer, a 28 with stabilizer and a 40 with detachable stabilizer also the mid size little giant. I use a 4gpm washer with m5 to wet down grass trees etc. My roof cleaning style is different, than when I started.

I dont follow all 50 pts, its best to know them. The 50 pt standard took a while to put together.

Aug 30, 2011

I am sure a lot of thought and work went into making the 50 point standard. I am not trying to insult those who worked on it.
Here is my thinking on it though.

My thought is, if the "point" standards are for us roof cleaners to look at and learn from, you can keep all 50 or with some imagination, make it 100.

If it's to read to, or present to a customer, it needs to be short and to the point and specifically addressing concerns they are likely to have in their minds with you in their doorway, bidding the job.

To me, that is:

1. Licensed and Insured? Proof on paper to hand them.

2. Info on years of experience [or number of jobs done locally]

3. Photos of work done handed to owner, to review.

4. Explanation of how you protect their plants and what to expect to see in the way of suds etc runoff in the next rain.

5. Copy of ARMA bulliten - or similar manufacturer cleaning suggestion. That shows chemical and methods roofing manufacturers suggest-that we use. Chlorine & TSP.

I think the KISS principal is important here.
Why make a wordy list that no homeowner is going to read, that includes massive text that overwhelms them and bores them on 1st glance?

The 50 points, if actually read, are more likely to put disturbing fears in the customers minds, that they would never have thought of in a million years! That's why I was uninterested in it from day one!

The above 5 things are what I tell many, but not all customers.
If they act the least bit concerned, or skeptical, I give them all 5.
If they seem like "I couldn't care less, let 'r rip" people, they just get my pictures.
My licensing is on my trucks.

RCIA Founder

Ted Bundy looked perfect, on paper! He had a Beacon Score in the 800's, a college education, and a fairly stable job history, with no police involvement, until he started killing Women.

I think the best standard is the quality of your work.

I personally eat at some places that LOOK like "dives" because the food is wonderful.

A wrapped truck and uniformed employees is no guarantee of a good job. Quality of Work should always be "Job One" for RCIA members.

AaronN · Guest

Ok, when drawing up and planning for my Rig I was planning on a water tank and Chem tank so I did not have to use customers water. I figured that would be one more obstacle in making the sale. Have you guys ran into any trouble with owner supplied water, and obviously without it I'd be constantly headin to the shop to refill.

I see in the video it seems that especially on the gutterless it required more of a rinse then I was expecting.

-- Edited by AaronN on Wednesday 7th of September 2011 01:05:35 AM

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum "Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum
"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"