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I have a 3 questions about your 4 step process on 5/12 pitch, 2,000 sf asphalt shingle roof:

* How many guys would you put on that job (ground guy - applicator)?

* How many hours does it take to complete?

* What would you quote for a roof like discribed above?

Just wondering because it sounds very time consuming. I know up north you can get a lot more per SF then down here in Florida but it sounds like it would take a full day for that 2,000 sf roof.

First off, I'm sorry we got off to a bad start. In my own nasty way [and I am not a sweet guy, I'm afraid] I am trying to help you get away from your long drawn out 3 part process of cleaning roofs with a pitch witch. Looks like you spend more time with any one part, than I do with a whole roof!

2nd, I was wrong about the flat surface cleaner from Home Depot, after looking more closely, all I see is the 4 wheeled pitch witch.

Now, you didn't answer my questions. You said you use the spider to rinse, but your video and photos show that you rinse with a garden hose. So part 2 is where you clean the roof with the homemade pitch witch. Why do you say it's for rinsing?

Of course, lots of pressure washing guys [ I am a pressure washing company too-not just softwash roof cleaning ] use a pitch witch to clean roofs, I think having the extra 2 wheels is a good innovation on the Pitch Witch though!

That homemade spider is most certainly nothing but a pitch witch, just with 4 wheels.

You keep saying you fall under certain of the 50 point standards.

You are cleaning roofs with a witch, plain and simple [ we are roof cleaners, we know what we are looking at ] That is not our method of cleaning roofs. If folks like you can come here, unfamiliar with our actual cleaning process and read those 50 points [which I was opposed to ever having-personally] Then they need to be rewritten.

What my video and all the other RCIA roof cleaners videos show, is the RCIA method--period. My "sales pitch" is "based" on the ARMA Bulletin in part.

That bulletin is for do it yourself homeowners. As professionals, we use that as a guide and set our mixture according to a roofs needs. They say up to 2 1/2 bleach and 2 1/2 water & TSP. "Assuming" that the ARMA is talking about household bleach and not pool chlorine- that a 50% mix for shingled roofs. The math is household bleach 5%. We use pool chlorine [both sodium hypochlorite] All my pool stores sell 10% SH and for shingles, I mix it 1/3 or less SH and the rest water-adding only a surfactant/soap to thicken the mix, so it doesn't run right off the roof. So, figure it out, how much stronger is my SH solution, than the ARMA household bleach solution? Plus, mine is in the hands of an expert, not a homeowner.

You asked "I like your video, but doesn't that solution/spray become slippery when you are walking directly on it? Especially
when it is shown from the side view in the end. Looks steep from the side view."

I am 64 and have never slipped off a roof in my 23 years in this business. I have 1/3rd the chance of falling, as your crew has, I am only on it 1 time, not 3. { Remember, I am not being a smart azz, I talk to the point. Everyone here knows that.}

I suggest you benefit yourself with your RCIA membership and learn to clean roofs the RCIA way, instead of nitpicking those 50 point standards to justify cleaning roofs as you already do?

Once you do it our way, you will throw your pump up sprayer and spider away and start making $ without knocking a granule off a roof. Notice, my video was like 3 minutes and I cleaned 1 section of that roof.

Instead of fighting back with me, open your mind up and be ready to change. That's what I did!

I pressure washed roofs for years, used a pitch with and almost took my flat surface cleaner up there one day [like the "roof shampoo" franchise company does roof cleaning.Watch this video: In the beginning, you see the guy with a pressure washing gun, waiting for his soap/chlorine to get to the gun. After lots of testing, of dozens of different downstream chemical injectors [including the Super Suds Sucker] they average 9-10% SH to 90% water. So, that's what these guys apply to kill all that algae and fungus on that roof! Then, at abour 4-5 minutes into the video, out comes the big ole' cement surface cleaner! BYE BYE granules! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewbG622wYiY

I only posted a link, because this discussion is on the Premium side and not public.

In early 1991 I was trying to invent [I thought] our system and failed a few times with pumps that wouldn't push the mix up onto the roofs. After a few months efforts, I gave up.

I was sure happy in late 1991 when I learned this method from another pressure washing company that drove 40 miles to clean in my town! I asked about their method and they were nice enough to show me everything and explain it! Back then, it was a little 1 gpm ShurFlo pump and 1/4" ID hose and a pressure washing gun, with short lance.

At RCIA I have learned many upgrades and tips, making my fees here, well worthwhile!

If you decide to give up the fight [so to speak] and just go ahead and invest the small amount of money needed for our systems, you will think "I'm sure glad that jerk Chuck Bergman gave me such a hard time! Now I do 3 roofs in the time I did one before, with zero granule loss"

You paid to be one of us, may as well be one! I absolutely guarantee you will be glad you did!

I have put considerable time [2 finger typist ] and effort into this post for you. I hope you use it to your benefit.

Here is a longer roof cleaning video of mine, with my son on the roof. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPCtVUu3Si0&feature=plcp

Mean, ugly, Chuck

You are wrong with both of your guesses. The info is on one of my
websites-Brink kanga roof

I am doing what #12,13,16 on your RCIA 50pt standards says I can do.


Sorry you have met a lot of bad roofers. Most of the good and
honest people in the roofing industry aren't found in bars.

Your whole sales pitch is off of two ARMA bulletins that do not say what
you are claiming they say. Read them word for word like I said earlier.

I understand you are using them both as a sales tool. No problem, just don't start believing
and telling me it says something that it doesn't.

If you click on make an appointment on my website, you will see that they can make an appointment
under (roof Cleaning / Roof Repairs / Roof Replacements / or warranty appointment)

If someone chooses a roof cleaning appointment, then I understand that is what they want or think
they want.

but I recommend whatever I believe is in the best.
interest of the homeowner and then let them decide. Everybody should show
video's and pictures to there customers. Otherwise they are making decisions
on something they can't even see. I say don't make the decision for them.

If I went to a home that had green shingles only a year old and they wanted me to
remove the and put on white ones. That is there decision. Do I say, no it's only
one year old and argue. Call them nuts. Make them feel stupid. No, it's there money.
If that's what they want to do then that's fine with me.

Educate the homeowner - do a good inspection - show them all of the inspection results -
Give them some options and let them choose.

Example - Leak in a valley - Roof is 12 yrs. old. Roofer 1 says I will fix it for 200 bucks and
uses some tar and mesh.

Roofer 2 says I'll do it for 1,200. I'll remove the shingles and install a new valley with ice guard/etc.


Who's ripping them off- Roofer 1 comes back once a year for the next 8 yrs. (20yr. roof) (1,600) without inflation.'
or even worse they end up noticing 5 yrs. down the road that it is leaking again. So now...factor in the drywall damages
and insulation that is ruined etc.

Roofer 2 gave them a warranty that would last them 8 yrs. for (1,200)
What's sad is 90% of the roofing company owners are choosing #1 and not offering #2.
That's a scam if you ask me. Offer them both. Don't decide for the homeowner or you are a pushy salesman.

I like your video, but doesn't that solution/spray become slippery when you are walking directly on it? Especially
when it is shown from the side view in the end. Looks steep from the side view.


Click here and you will see where they sell what I refer to as a spider cleaning machine

I just call it spider because I think it sounds better.  I also don't shoot the chemical out of the machine.  Instead

I use back pack sprayers.  The specs for the machine comply with the RCIA 50 pt.  number 12,13, and 16

Read the whole thread from beginning to end since I got in here.
I wasn't in here stirring up anything or or even defending the way I do it. All I
did was introduce myself and it turned into a race to look at my website and try
to stirr things up yourself.

I stuck up for myself when Mr. Bergman started acting like I don't read bulletins
that are written in my roofing industry. I have read the bulletins and pulled him
out on the carpet for using the bulletins by stretching the truth in what it says.
Read what his ad says on his website and Read the bulletins word for word.

If you paid 250 bucks to join a roofing forum, which you wouldn't because they are free and you can
use the logo for free.
But, if you did....and I started saying that you don't know what you are talking about
and do you even read the bulletins in your own industry. You'd defend yourself.
It's not stirring it up Jeff.

I came in here nice. You are determined to say I am blasting off granules.
I go by your 50 pt. standards. You can't even identify the machine but you know
exactly how many granules it is blowing off. Come look in the gutters before and
after I rinse. I said i use it to rinse. Can you please read the whole thing.

I am the nicest guy in the world to any of my workers, children, and strangers. But, I
don't hesitate to slap a jerk that is trying to start something. So, go ahead. Read this post
really carefully.......then pick your belly up off of the keyboard and attack again. lol. Very
predictable.

Yes it is very time consuming. That is why I paid 250 dollars to be part of this forum.
So I could learn ways to speed up the process, and I said that in the last post.

"I am looking for a more productive way. That is why I am here."
That is what I said at the bottom of my last post? You skim over those parts.

Much respect for the ones who private messaged me with tips and help. You have already
helped me more then the few mouths on here ever will.

It's like any forum. You have the group of kids that are in the middle of the playground
playing nice and productively building a sand castle., and then you have the handful
of kids flexing there muscles trying to hold the gate closed and throwing sand at someone trying to get in.

Tallahassee, I just sold one almost exactly that size.  I was 1,590 but they were considering a guy that

uses the surface cleaner machine for 700 dollars.  So, I came down to 1,390 to win the job.  I'm about 75 a sq.

and up.  I am making money, but I would like to speed up the process like I was saying earlier.  That is why I

signed up.