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Cool! I just left you a voicemail Ted.

While I don't know what Ted (good guy) and you spoke of but some things to consider...

A pump up sprayer from what I've found doesn't apply a heavy enough solution to work on badly infested roofs (dwell time necc.) which is why we use specialy designed higher flow rate pumps. If it is lightly infested it'll work but may need several apps still.

Like others said, multiple trips up and down and the risk of slippage due to the solution which is very slippery.

store bought SH while is labled 5-6% available Chlorine is really only 2-3% due to time manufactured and delivered and transportation in delivery trucks are prone to heat that affects the product. The store bought stuff I get is from canada and I can only imagine how many warehouses etc its past thru.

Just figure the cost it will be to you for spending a day attempting this yourself and the cost for all the store bought stuff with big markups and the potential that the outcome results won't be guaranteed as to you paying a Pro to do for a relatively comparable price. You stateyour budget is around $200, what if you need to do multiple coats and its now over $300? $300 is what from I understand for your area a competitive price to many. Why take a chance of getting solution in your eyes, tripping and falling off the roof etc and causing injury to yourself others and/or landscape?

If you need 45gals of solution at a strenght of 4-5% available chlorine you need to use the SH straight/uncut with water.  Thats 45gals bought at the store for a price per gallon $2-3 a gal? ($3 here).  Thats $90 if at $2.00/gal.

Theres a reason this is a professional industry. H.O.s try to paint their homes, do their own landscaping etc. then hire a pro. Many times the unknown issues and risks are why there is a market for these services. Just a bit of advice, the extra $100 difference may be worth hiring someone to do it for you.

Best of luck on your decision and stay safe.

He's a young, DIY homeowner.  Reminds me of me, less the young part 

What I shared with him was between he and I, in private.  It wasn't public.  And just maybe, after our conversation, he'll become one of us.  I wouldn't be surprised....

Google 'roof cleaning' and look what comes up on page one.  A video that tells a great deal, among other things.    I won't spoon feed a new business owner on here, but I'll help a home owner out in a pinch.  Especially a young gun taking care of his home.

Professional service is virtually non existant in my area.  I have called many roofing companies and they get all "deer in headlights" on me when I ask about this.  I honestly have no clue what the going rate is on roof cleaning because I didn't know there was a market until now.  If it takes more than $200 to clean my roof, that is totally worth it to me, but if I can get the results for less, that is my goal. 

I have googled my ass off and for some reason only found this incredible source of information (roof cleaning institute of america) today.  In my research, I have read so many do's and don't, including don't use bleach (at all), that I had almost given up.  Until I got "spoon fed" today, I would have just been stuck with the same crappy roof, at least now I have a chance. 

What is a forum for anyways?  Why do I have to learn from trial and error, just because I am new or I plan on doing it myself?  I think the fact that this community here (minus one hater, who must have pioneered roof cleaning), is willing to help a stranger with a problem in under 4 hours, will only help promote their business.  Would I give my money to someone with answers; is helpful, prompt, and unselfish, or someone who would prefer to have a secret roof cleaning society? 

Sorry in andvance, I'm really not this dramatic, just struck a nerve.  I will try to keep the info top secret though.

Jesse Pats a good guy, the aprehension for giving too much info out has deep roots but you seem like a good guy.

What you need to understand is roofers get up to ten times the price to replace a roof then treat it. thats why they act ignorant or slander our service.  They rather tell you you need to replace a perfectly working roof than treat it.

Florida has many hacks that low ball, then take the money and run leaving future damage that a H.O. won;t be aware of till months later they get serious leaks.  To fix the damage it cost much much more than if done right the first time.

As a professional contractor many times I get hired for a single service but I spot many potential and current problems that the HO isn't aware of and can point it out and save the new HO's from future probs. and many thousands of dollars.

You may just want to contact someone near you that can point out unforseen issues for a free accessment. check this link for someone near you....

http://rcia.uglyshingles.com/roofcleaners.htm

And if there isn't anyone near you on the panhandle, it may be a good business oppy., not sure how many are in the Alabama/Louisiana southern borders.

Maverick, thanks for the link, there was actually a company that serves the area a little west of me but I will call ASAP for an opinion/quote/etc.

Pat, you got me... really that was good.  The nerve thing was about dogging Ted.  Truce?  How about we get new titles, I am a "sponge" and you are an "invested busnessman looking out for the best interest of the group".   I really don't have anything to offer right now, but I will try to keep up with the forum and do my part where i can.  I plan on either biting the bullet this weekend or depending on the quote I get from the pro, may just let them handle it.  Either way, I now have a knowledge that I wouldn't have found anywhere else and at the very least can protect myself from any hacks that might try to take advantage me, in the future.

Quite a rollercoaster ride at RCIA today!  I'm almost ready for a hug!  Thanks for the advice Pat, remember I am a sponge! 

I talked to Russ at Prokleen Power Wash a few minutes ago and he talked me out of the bug sprayer.  He also made me a fair deal that meets my schedule and has a 5 year warranty.  I was actually really looking forward to learning a new trade and seeing where it went, but it's hard to beat letting someone else do it for you, so I am leaning towards going with a pro right now. 

My colleagues, or guild members, are considerate people and are trying to help you, but in different ways.  I know the person who instructed you as one of the most generous and professional people you'll meet, so I know that you were trained as well as that conversation could train you, and you no doubt had an invitation to call with any questions.

However:

1)  Seeing that baby in your arms, I disagree wholeheartedly about what I consider the equivalent of handing you a loaded gun without proper training.  There is a reason information isn't forthcoming here to anyone who wishes to tackle the job to save a few dollars.  It isn't just that people who wish to earn a living at this trade wish to protect a formula that's well known.

There is a reason that the people trained here often carry millions in liability insurance.

How will that baby's father have that ladder secured against that roof or gutter?  Will he tie it off?  How many rungs will be above the roof edge, should he decide to leave the ladder and walk the roof?

Does he have the ladder at the proper angle for climbing?  Does he know what that angle is?  It only takes a second of poor judgment or lack of training.  Consider a Ladder Max or proper stand-off or stabilizer.  Some of the pros here will no longer climb without one.  Why?

Please watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=JMYxPqCfA0E

http://www.cpwr.com/pdfs/Sheet%204.pdf

Where are the pets and where is that child while dad is up there spraying or venturing out on that roof, on slippery algae-coated surfaces that he's spraying a slippery chemical mixture on?

2)  Watch your lungs and your eyes.  Wear protective gear and a respirator.  I personally had a suction tube flip out of a bottle of chemical while not wearing goggles.  It will drop you to your knees and has potential to blind you, so have your drinking water canteen on your hip to flush your eyes.

3)  Know what was in that sprayer before you use it with the chemicals you are using.  If you mix SH with the wrong chemicals you could have toxic gas or an explosion.  STAY WITH THE MIX YOU WERE GIVEN.  DON'T GET CREATIVE.

4)  If you have rust stains in addition to algae and you wish to spray them with an acid based chemical, STOP.  DON'T.  Talk to people here before even thinking about it.

5)  Watch YOUR OVERSPRAY, or you'll be buying your neighbors new plants, siding, paint job on their vehicles.

6)  Be sure that the gutters aren't clogged and aren't pulled away from the fascia, allowing chemical to run behind the gutters and onto awnings, siding, decks, or other surfaces below.

7)  Bag those downspouts and get those cleaning agents away from where the pets drink etc.

Some of the pros here tell people to close their windows and stay inside while the tech is out spraying.  There is a reason for this.

Can you do the job?  Sure you can, and if my colleague instructed you, he did it with a kind heart and he did it well.

Don't take the situation lightly.

Best wishes to you,

Al

(Edited for omission.)