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Jul 14, 2012

Who can do fancy math? LOL I have a math problem for you, that relates to our work.

Skyline Roof Cleaning Virginia · Guest

Hey Chuck,

Here's a start:

Milligrams, a unit of mass, and gallons, a unit of volume, are not actually directly equivalent, however it is common to use the volume and mass of water to "equate" the two.

Using that method, where

1 (U.S.) Gallon of water weighs 128 ounces, and

1 ounce weighs 28.35 grams (approx.) or 28,350 mg

1 Gallon "equals" 128 * 28,350 mg, or 3,628,739 mg

Skyline Roof Cleaning Virginia · Guest

And if your statement is right, then that's .02 mg per 33.814 OZ ...

(33.814 oz per liter) ...

Skyline Roof Cleaning Virginia · Guest

There are 3.78541 liters in a gallon, so ...

If it's .02 mg per liter, that's

.02 x 3.78541 = .0757 mg per gallon.

I think that's right.

Skyline Roof Cleaning Virginia · Guest

Chuck, I just saw that your question said it was .2 not .02. So move the decimal. 0.757 mg per gallon.

Whether the .2 is right or not:

The United States Environmental Protection Agency recommends that in an emergency situation 1/8 oz., or eight drops of Clorox household bleach can be used to purify 1 gallon of potentially contaminated water. Add the bleach to the water and stir thoroughly; then let the water sit for 30 minutes prior to drinking.

Typical household bleach, such as Clorox, is diluted to a concentration of 5.25 percent. However, not all bleach is sold in the same concentration so check the concentration of the bleach. For bleach in a one percent solution, add 40 drops per gallon. For bleach between four and six percent concentration, add eight drops per gallon, and for bleach sold in a 10 percent concentration, add just four drops per gallon.

If you don't know the concentration of the bleach you're using then start with 40 drops of bleach per gallon. Stir thoroughly and let the treated water sit for 30 minutes. The water should be relatively clear and have a slight chlorinated odor. If the water remains murky and has no chlorine scent, add another dose of bleach and let it sit for 15 more minutes. Repeat until the water is clear and has a slight chlorinated odor. If the water smells too strongly of chlorine, let it sit exposed to air for a few hours. Pour the water from one clean container to another to allow the bleach to gas off.

Skyline Roof Cleaning Virginia · Guest

Then you would want to go with the higher amount and calculate on that.

Our drinking water typically contains 0.2 milligram per liter (mg/l) - 1.6 mg/l of chlorine.

I searched for that sentence and found the site that says it. They're saying their water contains anywhere from 0.2 to 1.6 milligrams of chlorine per liter.

The variable is what strength the chlorine is, as mentioned.

Look at it this way:

3.78541 liters in a gallon

Your example said maximum 1.6 milligrams chlorine per liter

1.6 X 3.78541 = 6 mg per gallon

Now go find an accurate milligrams to ounces converter and you have your answer:

6 mg --> OZ = 0.00021 ounces per gallon

I believe this is accurate.

http://calculator-converter.com/converter_mg_to_oz_milligrams_to_ounces_calculator.php

Again, the critical variable here is the strength of the chlorine they are adding, as mentioned. You could ask the water treatment facility.

-- Edited by Skyline Roof Cleaning Virginia on Sunday 15th of July 2012 01:15:09 AM

Skyline Roof Cleaning Virginia · Guest

Agreed. One can easily reference the swimming pools our children enjoy throughout the summer, as well.

Olympic swimmers are a healthy lot.

Masks we use: When spraying cleaning solutions on a hot surface that vaporizes the product, people who are exposed to it daily should filter it. Even your dentist wears a mask. Frequent exposure to many things, even the sun, requires a measure of common sense that we who are certified here employ.

Our methods are safe, approved, and effective, or we would be using something else. Hundreds of thousands of roofs have been cleaned by the methods and people who congregate here. There is a reason for that, and homeowners understand it.

The fact of the matter is, other things have often already been tried by the homeowner prior to contacting us. Various other "eco friendly" products can be purchased to clean one's oven or tarnished brass or barbeque grill, or myriad other difficult and dirty jobs. They are often tried and receive mediocre results. Again, moderate and judicious use of chemical cleaning products are employed successfully by homeowners each and every day.

Kitchen cabinets contain oven cleaner and other harsh chemicals that we would never spray on our skin nor consume in any diluted form.

Could those products be added to one's drinking water? Of course not. We would not add one of those items to our drinking water, nor send our children to swim in them.

Homeowners understand these things.

"Would you like your roof cleaned and protected today?" is really all that needs to be said.

-- Edited by Skyline Roof Cleaning Virginia on Sunday 15th of July 2012 05:25:02 AM

Roof Cleaning New Jersey · Jul 15, 2012

I tried to calculate for you Chuck. My final answer was $6.14

Jul 15, 2012

Roof Cleaning New Jersey wrote:
I tried to calculate for you Chuck. My final answer was $6.14

That's probably what I'd come up with too.

My point, is I am looking for the amount of chlorine the average person drinks in a year-or whatever. But I don't understand MG only ounces and gallon measurements. It's just something further I was trying to put together, to counter the "DON'T HIRE ROOF CLEANERS WHO USE CHLORINE - GO GREEN"

Roof Cleaning New Jersey · Jul 15, 2012

I think its clever looking for this type of rebuttal. I would take the lazy route and log in to a math forum and let some super geek solve the riddle. When the answer is found I myself will humor my customers with how much sh they drink.

Skyline Roof Cleaning Virginia · Guest

As Chris has said, folks could spray bleach on their roofs all day long and end up with little more than a suntan. Your proprietary formula gets the job done and has earned you the sheer volume of business that has a "green" company you referenced, green with envy at your success. Be flattered. No wonder they don't understand it. They aren't supposed to. They believe you're cleaning roofs with bleach. Good. Let them. Your satisfied customers speak for you.

Chuck, bleach is green. Ish. Open a bottle and look in. Grin. When used properly, it is environmentally friendly as well, and it is used even in the maintenance of resources in our most precious national forests. Reference the wells that are sanitized, for one.

Fertilizer companies sell "green" products all day long. When used improperly, fertilizer will kill the vegetation it is meant otherwise to improve. Using it properly is key, as with your process. That doesn't mean it shouldn't be used. Fertilizer easily comes to mind when using so called green products to clean a roof. It does because, as many homeowners understand, they've tried bottles of this stuff before seeing you clean neighboring roofs successfully, while theirs sits, still degrading with stains on it, after money spent on snake oil.

You've done a great job assembling information to explain both the efficacy and the safety of your process.

You're a legend in this business for a reason, and you're admired for the help you've given others, and for your business ethics.

Good job, Chuck.

-- Edited by Skyline Roof Cleaning Virginia on Sunday 15th of July 2012 11:11:01 AM

Jul 15, 2012

Skyline Roof Cleaning Virginia wrote:
Chuck, I just saw that your question said it was .2 not .02. So move the decimal. 0.757 mg per gallon.
Whether the .2 is right or not:
Bleach Used Safely
The United States Environmental Protection Agency recommends that in an emergency situation 1/8 oz., or eight drops of Clorox household bleach can be used to purify 1 gallon of potentially contaminated water. Add the bleach to the water and stir thoroughly; then let the water sit for 30 minutes prior to drinking.
Strength Matters
Typical household bleach, such as Clorox, is diluted to a concentration of 5.25 percent. However, not all bleach is sold in the same concentration so check the concentration of the bleach. For bleach in a one percent solution, add 40 drops per gallon. For bleach between four and six percent concentration, add eight drops per gallon, and for bleach sold in a 10 percent concentration, add just four drops per gallon.
Bottom Line
If you don't know the concentration of the bleach you're using then start with 40 drops of bleach per gallon. Stir thoroughly and let the treated water sit for 30 minutes. The water should be relatively clear and have a slight chlorinated odor. If the water remains murky and has no chlorine scent, add another dose of bleach and let it sit for 15 more minutes. Repeat until the water is clear and has a slight chlorinated odor. If the water smells too strongly of chlorine, let it sit exposed to air for a few hours. Pour the water from one clean container to another to allow the bleach to gas off.

A short excerpt from this would be sufficient. Just to show that bleach is not an enemy, as some "Green" guys say.

Like:

The United States Environmental Protection Agency recommends that in an emergency situation eight to 40 drops of bleach [ depending on bleach strength ] can be used to purify 1 gallon of potentially contaminated water. Add the bleach to the water and stir thoroughly; then let the water sit for 30 minutes prior to drinking.
Green Cleaners are usually called "Propritary ingredients" so the public will never know what they are having their roof coated with. Would you dare drink a gallon of water, that had up to 40 drops of "so called green" Bio-Foam in it?
So, don't let the "Go Green" sales pitches fool, or scare you away from having your roof cleaned with the only chemical the roofing manufacturers suggest for roof cleaning. Bleach.

Jul 16, 2012

Skyline Roof Cleaning Virginia wrote:
As Chris has said, folks could spray bleach on their roofs all day long and end up with little more than a suntan. Your proprietary formula gets the job done and has earned you the sheer volume of business that has a "green" company you referenced, green with envy at your success. Be flattered. No wonder they don't understand it. They aren't supposed to. They believe you're cleaning roofs with bleach. Good. Let them. Your satisfied customers speak for you.
Chuck, bleach is green. Ish. Open a bottle and look in. Grin. When used properly, it is environmentally friendly as well, and it is used even in the maintenance of resources in our most precious national forests. Reference the wells that are sanitized, for one.
Fertilizer companies sell "green" products all day long. When used improperly, fertilizer will kill the vegetation it is meant otherwise to improve. Using it properly is key, as with your process. That doesn't mean it shouldn't be used. Fertilizer easily comes to mind when using so called green products to clean a roof. It does because, as many homeowners understand, they've tried bottles of this stuff before seeing you clean neighboring roofs successfully, while theirs sits, still degrading with stains on it, after money spent on snake oil.
You've done a great job assembling information to explain both the efficacy and the safety of your process.
You're a legend in this business for a reason, and you're admired for the help you've given others, and for your business ethics.
Good job, Chuck.

-- Edited by Skyline Roof Cleaning Virginia on Sunday 15th of July 2012 11:11:01 AM

I just like a lot of bullits in my gun.

"Bleach" is what the naysayers call it to make it sound like nothing and when a pressure washing"only" guy bids a job against you, he warns the customer not to get a cheap "bleach job"

In fact, many have it written right into their websites.

I started a friend, John Hoover in business maybe 17 years ago?

He was a "REAL GO-GETTER" and covered all of 4 counties with massive advertising campaigns and soon became a large company. A while back he sold the company to some other guys and they try to make themselves look good, by putting other competitors down.

They also specifically put down our manufacturer recommended method and call it a "bleach job" saying it does all kinds of damage. It's ridiculous, when you read it, unless you are an uninformed homeowner.

Here is a post I made on RCIA a long times ago:

Roof Cleaning by The Roofing Manufacturer's Method

From GAF Roofing Manufacturers about black algae removal:

http://www.gaf.com/Documents/Algae_Staining_on_Shingled_Roof_Surfaces_-_Steep_Slope_Techn-43-808-v3.pdf

Below is a partial "cut and paste" excerpt from GAF on how to clean a roof:

"If a new roof is not an option, GAF recommends cleaning the roof with a special mixture. That mixture is:
4 gallons of water, 1 gallon of bleach and 1 cup of TSP"

"What NOT To Do! Do not power wash the shingles to clean the shingles. Some roof cleaning companies offer this service.
However, it is not recommended."

From ARMA roofing manufacturers Association-how to clean roofing.

http://www.asphaltroofing.org/pdf/tb_217.pdf

Below is a partial excerpt cut and pasted below from ARMA:

Algae discolorations to remove from roofing surfaces, applying a solution of
chlorine bleach, trisodium phosphate, and water. Solutions for these ingredients depend on the amount of discoloration. Solutions range to one cup TSP and 2.5 gallons each of bleach and water.
First, gently disperse this solution on the roofing surface. Avoid scrubbing the surface, as this friction may loosen and remove granules.
Caution!
High pressure washing systems for algae removal should not be used.

Owens Corning Roofing manufacturers says the same thing:

"USE CHLORINE and TSP" "DO NOT USE A PRESSURE WASHER"

Corning info in link below.

http://webapps.easy2.com/cm2/flash/generic_index.asp?page_id=36077811

So, those who manufacture your roofing and warranty your roofing are the folks to listen to!

Not those who pressure wash roofs, or try to sell you a so called "Green" Eco-Friendly" chemical.

We clean roofs ONLY by the roofing manufacturers methods, so your warranty will not be voided!

WE ARE RCIA CERTIFIED ROOF CLEANERS: ROOF CLEANING INSTITUTE OF AMERICA. LINK BELOW:

http://roof-cleaning-institute.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=123190&p=3&topicID=41055740&page=1

Charlotte & Sarasota County Florida Roof Cleaning by Chuck Bergman Since 1991

941-698-1959
941-474-8883
941-483-3673
941-255-8600

Chuck Bergman Soft Wash Roof Cleaning has been serving Charlotte and Sarasota Counties in Florida since 1991 { Prior to that as Chuck Bergman Pressure Cleaning since 1989 }

With years of experience , it became clear to me that while pressure washing roofs made them look clean, damage was occurring on the roofs. Pressure cleaning machines can only be turned down so far and still accomplish roof cleaning and any amount of pressure, even as low a setting as 300 psi { 3000 to 4000 psi is what most pressure cleaning contractors use } will still remove around 15-20% of the granules that make up the color and protection of your shingle roof per cleaning.

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 ridge-caps 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!

If you would like your roof restored [most of the time to 90% like new!] using only the methods suggested by your roofing manufacturer, call us for a free estimate! We have been a father and son ONLY business since 1994-so you will always get a professional and never get a crew or a new guy in training on your property!

-- Edited by Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 on Saturday 27th of August 2011 01:16:53 PM

-- Edited by Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 on Saturday 27th of August 2011 01:18:02 PM

Attached Files:

JHWorth said
Aug 27, 2011

Good post, hope potential customers see this in full one day. I see these products online that say no bleach or bleach ruins shingles or discolors tiles and I think that after cleaning roofs for 14 years with bleach I beg to differ.

I have people all the time ask what do I use to clean roofs or they say you do not use bleach right? I say I use the same stuff every "Real Professional Roof Cleaner" uses. They ask what is it? I tell them and educate them on it, let them know that these "magical" new roof cleaner products are a total waste of money and if all roofing manufacturers recommend SH, H2O and TSP then it is what should be used. Why would the roofing manufacturer want to lose money by having to replace a roof for free.

Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 said
Aug 27, 2011

JHWorth wrote:
Good post, hope potential customers see this in full one day. I see these products online that say no bleach or bleach ruins shingles or discolors tiles and I think that after cleaning roofs for 14 years with bleach I beg to differ.

I have people all the time ask what do I use to clean roofs or they say you do not use bleach right? I say I use the same stuff every "Real Professional Roof Cleaner" uses. They ask what is it? I tell them and educate them on it, let them know that these "magical" new roof cleaner products are a total waste of money and if all roofing manufacturers recommend SH, H2O and TSP then it is what should be used. Why would the roofing manufacturer want to lose money by having to replace a roof for free.

I'm glad you like it!

I too have to explain the truth about these new fad products to an uneducated [on roof cleaning] public, who see all the hype green roof cleaning junk on TV and hardware store shelves.

If the roofing manufacturer was not trying to protect their customers for real, they could say nothing and most people would think of pressure washing as the logical solution. Or just say "Most people with roof discoloration have their roofs cleaned by pressure washing" and get to replace the roofs more quickly.

Or they could recommend one of the so called "green" cleaners, knowing that those guys always end up pressure washing the roofs anyway, because the green junk isn't even damaging to simple house plants, let alone that powerful plant growing on the roof!

I would live and let live-except that that's not the approach used by the new green salesman!

Their approach is to cut down professional roof cleaning methods, calling us "Chlorine Cowboys" or our work a "Bleach Job" and speaking negatively of our method and going so far as to make up ridiculous lies [Like on "Hoover Pressure Cleaning" website,] saying we use 80% - 100% chlorine to clean roofs, [obviously, not someone who knows what he is talking about, or more likely, just trying to scare the public with lies. Just one of the many lies, common among those who push the new "Green" junk and those who pressure wash roofs. They can not stand on their own 2 feet and make a living, so they do like politicians do and try to discredit everyone else.

But, how can they dispell the facts from the manufacturers? THEY CAN'T. So I bet they will hate reading my post!!! furious

Hmmmm, I could go on and on and on.

Skyline Roof Cleaning Virginia · Guest

It's good stuff, Chuck, and added to the library of facts.

Thank you.

Jul 16, 2012

Skyline Roof Cleaning Virginia wrote:
It's good stuff, Chuck, and added to the library of facts.
Thank you.

THANKS! smile

sweetwaterfish · Guest

Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 wrote:

I just found this statement as to how much chlorine is in drinking water.
I would like to know how 0.2 milligram per liter (mg/l) - 1.6 mg/l translates into "Ounces per gallon" or "Drops per Gallon"
Thanks, now the smart folks can take over!
Chlorine is added to kill bacteria and prevent waterborne illness, and fluoride provides a defense against tooth decay. Both of these substances are added to water during the water treatment process. Our drinking water typically contains 0.2 milligram per liter (mg/l) - 1.6 mg/l of chlorine.

-- Edited by Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 on Saturday 14th of July 2012 07:11:09 AM

After exhaustive calculations and research the answer is : not very much....as a little SH goes a long way!

RCIA Founder

Before Chlorine in drinking water, people DIED from all kinds of nasty diseases.

Jul 16, 2012

Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa FL (813) 655-8777 wrote:
Before Chlorine in drinking water, people DIED from all kinds of nasty diseases.

Yup!

And roofs died from high pressure cleaning! hmm

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

Bleach Used Safely

Strength Matters

Bottom Line

Bleach Used Safely

Strength Matters

Bottom Line

Roof Cleaning by The Roofing Manufacturer's Method

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