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

My name is Oscar from Northern Virginia and I'm brand new not only to this site but also to roof cleaning.Heck, I dindn't even know there was such a thing as roof cleaning  until this past August.  So good to see you pros who are willing to share info and answer questions. I'm going to study from this site all I can and ask you pros questions here/there,  for those of you willing to answer a novice's dumb questions at times. Here's my long  story:

 

This past August I visited my local HD store to see if they carried anything to remove the few ugly roof streaks that were becoming more profound on the front roof of my townhouse. I ended up buying  a product by Baer that you sprayed on and simply brushed around with a broom. After a good 1/2 hour of brushing (and granules falling) , the stains faded enough and I stopped. It wasn't but  a little over a month  until the stains started to reappear and I was so disappointed.

 

I went to the trusty Google machine and began my journey to find out if there was anything out there. One search led to another and this is how I found this great site. From here on I was noticing ugly roof stains just about everywhere in town. This is when the though came to mind to perhaps offer soft washing to homeowners.

 

For the past 10 years one way or another I've been working fulltime  as a chemical tech in landscaping. Currently working for a commercial landscaping company. Spraying with a hose is nothing new to me. For a few years I ride around in machines that do all the work for you, so I haven't pulled a hose in a while. And my weight shows this.LOL  Earlier this year I thought of starting my own fertilizing company where I would concentrate on high quality fertilizing programs unlike the big national chains. Then I found about cleaning roofs and think this would  be more profitable instead of driving around to 20 clients a day. Anyway, It;s good to see that there are many of you who make a living doing this and take great pride in your work.  I'd like to be one of you  guys in the near future and do things  the way the RCIA demands it.

 

I was reading on here about lowballers out there. I hate them and  sure hope this industry doesn't end up like landscaping where you have every Dick, Tom and Sally pushing a lawn mower and spraying weeds without a pesticide lisence.

 

I work Mon - Fri and if there's anyone within a two hour drive fron Northern Va, I'd like to ask if anyone would allow me to come work for them on a Saturday?  I'm willing to pay to see how you guys do it if you can pm me with your prices.  Sorry for the looong post.

 

 

 

Thank you sir. I myself see competition as a good thing as long as everyone plays on a level field. No low balling to win jobs or back stabbing others are my beliefs. As of now, I'm simply educating myself about this industry since I know close to nothing thus far. I don't own a truck or any sort of equipment. Boy do I have a lot to learn.LOL

Oscar,

Welcome aboard. I joined in 2008 and did all my research and kept notes in a binder broken down by subject matter. This included photos, mistakes, equipment, etc. I didn't post anything here until last year when I started roof and exterior cleaning as an add on to my existing business. Now they are run as seperate entities. The brotherhood here is strong and we will help where we can. I've received help and referrals from members in PA, NJ, VA(Ted) and Florida(Ray). The members are very passionate about this work and this is evident on a daily basis.

If you have questions later on don't be shy and give me a call.

Hank

-- Edited by waxman18324 on Sunday 4th of November 2012 05:42:40 PM

Maverick, That was life saving advice you gave me regarding the mixing of volatile products.

I hope things will return back to normal soon for all of you folks affected by Sandy up North.

Thank you all

Hi Oscar welcome to the RCIA I think you'll find this site to be chock full of great information to help you build a successful business. Feel free to drop me a line or give me a call if I can ever help you with any questions.