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Neutralizing Sodium Hypochlorite ?

Eric SCHNAIBLE · Mar 17, 2013

Good post Chris. There is no shortage of donkeys that like to villainize our method
for their own selfish interest. Reasonable applied logic has kept us using the same
methods and providing the same excellent results.

Eric SCHNAIBLE · Mar 17, 2013

Good thread Chris, I reckon Citronel is one of those donkeys.

Mar 17, 2013

I too have tried many possible neutralizers, with no obvious effect.

I rely on tarping in some cases and loads of watering in all cases!

If a customer mentions possible plant damage? I even suggest that they run their sprinklers the night before we come and [ if they are not too old or too fancy pants LOL ] that they water their plants for a few days in the morning or at night.

Jobs that concern me, I drive back by 2 days after finishing and if the plants look weakened, I water with Miracle Grow.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/474113

-- Edited by Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 on Sunday 17th of March 2013 10:13:28 AM

Guest

The salt is the easy part to manage IMO.

RCIA Founder

Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 wrote:
I too have tried many possible neutralizers, with no obvious effect.
I rely on tarping in some cases and loads of watering in all cases!
If a customer mentions ossible plant damage? I even suggest that they run their sprinklers the night before we come and [ if they are not too old or too facy pants LOL ] that they water their plants for a few days in the morning or at night.
Jobs that concern me, I drive back by 2 days after finishing and if the plants look weakened, I water with Miracle Grow.
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/474113

There are chlorine neutralizers like sodium metabisulfate, made to use in a swimming pool in case u dump too much Chlorine in.

But, to spray that chit onto the plants in anticipation of the roof cleaning runoff coming down ain't the best thing to do, because your are introducing another chemical into the system. Besides, if you are concerned about the roof cleaning runoff getting on plants, then just cover them, duh!

Chuck, people are always looking for an "easier, softer way" to protect plants. Or, an easier softer way to perform the roof cleaning process.

I have said this before, and I will say it again, if you don't want any problems when cleaning a roof, cover all the plants, spray the chemical, rinse the roof, then pull the tarps. Then rinse some more just for "good measure".

When plants are covered, we water the tarps as run off hits them, to be sure it is diluted.

One local roof cleaner was spraying the plants with a chlorine neutralizer after the roof cleaning, in anticipation of the chemical he left on the roof coming down onto the plants.

That guy was fun to watch, mixing and measuring that crap up, then spraying it on with a hose end garden sprayer.

What a dumb ass he was Chuck. In the time it took him to mix all that crap up and spray it on, he could have partially rinsed the bottom 1/3 of the roof.

Mar 17, 2013

Yes, I tried sodium metabisulfate and Gypsum and lime and others-around my own home, with no noticeable results. Tarps, roof rinse and water if no gutters exist and water, water, water, if gutters do exist, plus a lower 3rd roof rinse, with gutter canes flooding, to care for downspout runoff. I also have 40' roll up tubing to carry runoff away, but only get to use it occasionally. Or I take the downspout off and bag it or dig a hole-if no plant roots are near the downspout. I can remember a few years back, not many people agreed with me using tarps LOL

RCIA Founder

Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 wrote:
Yes, I tried sodium metabisulfate and Gypsum and lime and others-around my own home, with no noticeable results. Tarps, roof rinse and water if no gutters exist and water, water, water, if gutters do exist, plus a lower 3rd roof rinse, with gutter canes flooding, to care for downspout runoff. I also have 40' roll up tubing to carry runoff away, but only get to use it occasionally. Or I take the downspout off and bag it or dig a hole-if no plant roots are near the downspout. I can remember a few years back, not many people agreed with me using tarps LOL

Roger That! Like thay say "Faith will move mountains, but bring a shovel" LOL

Ever try Kitty Litter under a downspout ?

RCIA Founder

Eric SCHNAIBLE wrote:
Good post Chris. There is no shortage of donkeys that like to villainize our method
for their own selfish interest. Reasonable applied logic has kept us using the same
methods and providing the same excellent results.

I am all for any improvements to roof cleaning Eric, and have tried these so called chlorine neutralizers, as has Chuck Bergman, another veteran Florida roof cleaner. There just is no substitute for tarps, as far as protecting plants goes. If you think that spraying plants with a chlorine neutralizer will protect them as good as Tarps will, you are mistaken. The best way to stop plant damage damage from contact is to prevent contact. And, even IF you are successful at neutralizing some or all of the chlorine (very doubtful), you still have the problem of the salt, that must be diluted with plenty of water.

Mar 18, 2013

Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa FL (813) 655-8777 wrote:
Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 wrote:
Yes, I tried sodium metabisulfate and Gypsum and lime and others-around my own home, with no noticeable results. Tarps, roof rinse and water if no gutters exist and water, water, water, if gutters do exist, plus a lower 3rd roof rinse, with gutter canes flooding, to care for downspout runoff. I also have 40' roll up tubing to carry runoff away, but only get to use it occasionally. Or I take the downspout off and bag it or dig a hole-if no plant roots are near the downspout. I can remember a few years back, not many people agreed with me using tarps LOL
Roger That! Like thay say "Faith will move mountains, but bring a shovel" LOL
Ever try Kitty Litter under a downspout ?

I have been using gypsum pellets in front of downspouts, because I had a bout 40 pounds of it. It may help neutralize that runoff? I haven't gotten any "Grass is dieing" calls and I often do back checks a few days after jobs that worried me-no bad grass so far, so MAYBE it works?

I wouldn't dare spray a mix of it, or any other idea I come up with for neutralizing SH onto anyones plants though! I wouldn't know what the neutralizer would do to the plants? All testing I did was on small portions of my own Hybiscus and my own Plumbago.=Spray a little roof mix on, wait 20 minutes and wash it off one spot with water and off other spots with whatever "supposed" neutralizer I have to test. No difference I can tell so far. I never did test the Gypsum at my house, I think I'll do that tomorrow?

Kitty litter isn't a bad idea though! I'll get a bag of that. I assume when done, you scoop it into a bucket and take it away with you?

What I do most often, is dig a hole under the downspout and let it fill with the runoff, then when done with that particular side of the house, I shoot the bottom 3rd of the roof with one of those jet nozzles for cleaning pool filters-from the ground, if possible, then put a gutter cane in and flood the gutters with pure water, which in turn, floods the downspout runoff with pure water. More and more, if I am asked to bid a job any distance from home, I offer them 2 prices. $500.00 and we take all responsibility for plants or $450 and we do all we can while there and then they take over after we leave-watering daily for 3 days in a row and again, if a light rain occurs. I have been happy to see that a lot of people gladly save the $50 and say they will do the watering and I am no longer responsible. It means a lot to me, because I am very consciencious and lay awake worrying about plants on some jobs. I don't know why really, it's not that costly to replace a plant or 2. It just makes me feel sick to get a call, saying "Some of my plants look like they are dieing" I HATE THAT AND GO RUNNING RIGHT TO THE JOB! Then I water for an hour more!

I have only replaced 11 plants in the last 3 years and 8 were touchy, wimpy Plumbagos! Probably the only plant worse than Hybiscus! Hmmmm, no, maybe Blue Daze?

RCIA Founder

Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 wrote:
Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa FL (813) 655-8777 wrote:
Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 wrote:
Yes, I tried sodium metabisulfate and Gypsum and lime and others-around my own home, with no noticeable results. Tarps, roof rinse and water if no gutters exist and water, water, water, if gutters do exist, plus a lower 3rd roof rinse, with gutter canes flooding, to care for downspout runoff. I also have 40' roll up tubing to carry runoff away, but only get to use it occasionally. Or I take the downspout off and bag it or dig a hole-if no plant roots are near the downspout. I can remember a few years back, not many people agreed with me using tarps LOL
Roger That! Like thay say "Faith will move mountains, but bring a shovel" LOL
Ever try Kitty Litter under a downspout ?
I have been using gypsum pellets in front of downspouts, because I had a bout 40 pounds of it. It may help neutralize that runoff? I haven't gotten any "Grass is dieing" calls and I often do back checks a few days after jobs that worried me-no bad grass so far, so MAYBE it works?
I wouldn't dare spray a mix of it, or any other idea I come up with for neutralizing SH onto anyones plants though! I wouldn't know what the neutralizer would do to the plants? All testing I did was on small portions of my own Hybiscus and my own Plumbago.=Spray a little roof mix on, wait 20 minutes and wash it off one spot with water and off other spots with whatever "supposed" neutralizer I have to test. No difference I can tell so far. I never did test the Gypsum at my house, I think I'll do that tomorrow?
Kitty litter isn't a bad idea though! I'll get a bag of that. I assume when done, you scoop it into a bucket and take it away with you?
What I do most often, is dig a hole under the downspout and let it fill with the runoff, then when done with that particular side of the house, I shoot the bottom 3rd of the roof with one of those jet nozzles for cleaning pool filters-from the ground, if possible, then put a gutter cane in and flood the gutters with pure water, which in turn, floods the downspout runoff with pure water. More and more, if I am asked to bid a job any distance from home, I offer them 2 prices. $500.00 and we take all responsibility for plants or $450 and we do all we can while there and then they take over after we leave-watering daily for 3 days in a row and again, if a light rain occurs. I have been happy to see that a lot of people gladly save the $50 and say they will do the watering and I am no longer responsible. It means a lot to me, because I am very consciencious and lay awake worrying about plants on some jobs. I don't know why really, it's not that costly to replace a plant or 2. It just makes me feel sick to get a call, saying "Some of my plants look like they are dieing" I HATE THAT AND GO RUNNING RIGHT TO THE JOB! Then I water for an hour more!
I have only replaced 11 plants in the last 3 years and 8 were touchy, wimpy Plumbagos! Probably the only plant worse than Hybiscus! Hmmmm, no, maybe Blue Daze?

Oleanders and Bouganvilla Brother yawn Those 2 will flat shed all their leaves, and die in a NY Second!

Azaleas suck too, and will die if a Dog pees on them!~

Mar 18, 2013

Not many Oleanders around here? Bouganvillas are not so often up tight to a house-they get so big and thorny! haven't had a problem with Azaleas, but all these touchy plants get tarped and while tarped, the roots get garden hose flooded. After rinsing the roof as needed and removing the tarps, they get watered and watered! Still, I envy those northern guys who don't have all this greenery to deal with! Heck, those guys soft-wash houses! If I sprayed a 25% mix on a house, to clean it, I hate to think of the plant damage dreams I'd have!
I've done a few, with stripped out foliage, and of course, driveways [I usually pressure "rinse" driveways to leave them brighter though.

RCIA Founder

Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 wrote:
Not many Oleanders around here? Bouganvillas are not so often up tight to a house-they get so big and thorny! haven't had a problem with Azaleas, but all these touchy plants get tarped and while tarped, the roots get garden hose flooded. After rinsing the roof as needed and removing the tarps, they get watered and watered! Still, I envy those northern guys who don't have all this greenery to deal with! Heck, those guys soft-wash houses! If I sprayed a 25% mix on a house, to clean it, I hate to think of the plant damage dreams I'd have!
I've done a few, with stripped out foliage, and of course, driveways [I usually pressure "rinse" driveways to leave them brighter though.

The Guys up North have their own problems, with very steep 2 and 3 story roofs! Some are 10/12 pitch too.

I am surprised Oleanders are not more popular down there ? They will grow in the freaking sand, but will flat drop leaves if you get chemical on them!

Not crazy about gutter canes sometimes, they can screw up water pressure!

Here is the suggestions of Clorox to prevent plant damage =

Will the runoff from Clorox^® Concentrated Outdoor Bleach Cleaner harm grass or plants?

When used as directed, Clorox^® Concentrated Outdoor Bleach Cleaner will not harm your grass or plants. To prevent burning, rinse grass or plants if product comes in direct contact.

Notice, they do not suggest using bleach neutralizers ?

Roof Cleaning Katy Texas (281) 392-2304 · Mar 19, 2013

I ran upon this article on neutralizing bleach. What are your thoughts on it Chris?

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Roof Cleaning Katy Texas (281) 392-2304 wrote:
I ran upon this article on neutralizing bleach. What are your thoughts on it Chris?

I have seen that article, it talks about residual bleach in low concentrations. And, no matter if you do neutralize chlorine roof cleaning run off (highly doubtful), you still have the salt to deal with.

Mar 19, 2013

Sodium Thiosulfate was another one I tried. I talked to the one person at the 3 local pool stores I buy from and he said neutralizers work in pools because they circulate through the water. He said he was sure none would help sprayed on chlorine in any concentration and couldn't guess how neutralizer may adversely affect plants. He said, they may do more damage than the chlorine itself. So, I never tried them at customers jobs. At home tests, I saw no positive or neg results from those I tested.

RCIA Founder

Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 wrote:
Sodium Thiosulfate was another one I tried. I talked to the one person at the 3 local pool stores I buy from and he said neutralizers work in pools because they circulate through the water. He said he was sure none would help sprayed on chlorine in any concentration and couldn't guess how neutralizer may adversely affect plants. He said, they may do more damage than the chlorine itself. So, I never tried them at customers jobs. At home tests, I saw no positive or neg results from those I tested.

Yes, both sodium metabisulfate and sodium thiosulfate suck for roof cleaning use. I have tried all that chit too! Both of the chemicals mentioned have SODIUM in them !!!!!!!!!! So, in effect, you are introducing another poison into the Ecosystem!

It has come to my attention that people are being deceived into thinking they "need" these chlorine neutralizers. Some sellers of this shit convince newcomers to buy and use it. Then, these people become salesmen for this shit, thinking that it has helped them protect plants.

What is actually protecting the plants is all the watering of the plants they are doing, not the so called chlorine neutralizer.

There really are a bunch of stupid people in the world Chuck. PT Barnum once said "No one ever went broke, underestimating the ignorance of the American Public"

Mar 19, 2013

Absolutely correct!
This statement "No one ever went broke, underestimating the ignorance of the American Public"
works especially well for all the new "Go Green" folks.
1st they pay more to get a "green roof cleaning" then, in the natural uneducated thinking of an average homeowner, they either get the Spray and "Hopefully" Forget the roof cleaners name, when the roof is still black in 3 month or so. Or, they, unknowing the damage potential, stand by and watch the guys who "claimed" to have sprayed an environmentally friendly, "go green" chemical on their roof [which may be just dish soap?] go ahead and pressure wash the roof. I know for a fact, I can pressure wash a roof with my 5.6 gpm / 3500 psi 18hp pressure washer and use just water and it will appear clean. Of course, it's coated in living algae spores, so it will be blackened again within a year or so and that pressure blast will most certainly dull or remove any glazing on tile, along with chunks of cement along the ridge caps. Or, if shingles-blow off 20 - 30% of the protective granules!
There, I spouted off! Now, I gotta get to a job!

Eric SCHNAIBLE · Mar 20, 2013

Good points guys, but your underestimating the value of the warm fuzzy feeling these people get from paying for the "green" service.
That was great banter Chris and Chuck, and very true.

RCIA Founder

Eric SCHNAIBLE wrote:
Good points guys, but your underestimating the value of the warm fuzzy feeling these people get from paying for the "green" service.
That was great banter Chris and Chuck, and very true.

I have always been an Entrepreneur. When I was still in high school, I sold fruit and vegetables alongside the road here in Tampa on weekends.

I bought all my fruit and veggies from the Tampa Farmers Market. One weekend, I saw a competitor set up his veggie stand across the street from me! He had a sign that said ORGANIC FLORIDA LOCAL GROWN FRESH PRODUCE

He was taking all my customers. He did not know who I was, so I snuck over to his veggie stand, and saw University Professors buying his Tomotoes (we were close to the university of south florida).

These professors were marveling over the "Organic" Tomatoes.

The next week, I saw that rip off mother f'er buying his vegetables from the SAME place I was !

His stuff was no more Organic then mine was, so here is what happened. I beat his freaking azz on the spot, for being a rip off!

Of course, I am not 18 anymore, and have mellowed, somewhat. But I still hate rip offs, and snake oil salesmen.

I have little to No Tolerance for roof cleaning chemicals and equipment, that either do not work, or fail to work as claimed.

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

Will the runoff from Clorox® Concentrated Outdoor Bleach Cleaner harm grass or plants?

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

Will the runoff from Clorox^® Concentrated Outdoor Bleach Cleaner harm grass or plants?