Roof Cleaning Methods -Part 2

If the chlorine treatment doesn't sound like the way it should be done, then you only have one other way of successfully completing the job. Using a detergent and then removing the mold and mildew with pressure. Don't get me wrong...this procedure can be just as dangerous as the other. But if you have the skills to do it this way, you will leave at the end of the day feeling good about your services and the way that customers will perceive you and your company. When removing the mildew with pressure it is always best to have a partner helping you, otherwise you may spend a very long, hot eight hours on the roof. This scares a lot of guys so they hunt for a chemical that will do the same job as chlorine without the dangerous side effects. I have to tell you that after several attempts and many conversations with my competition.....there is no miracle chemical that I have yet seen demonstrated. If you know of one that does what it actually says...please let me know with a posting.
Let me make it clear that using pressure on a roof can cause damage and that is why it is so crucial that the p.s.i. is set to a safe pressure prior to removing fungi from the roof!

Roof Cleaning Methods

I'm posting these blogs to help those who are just getting started with their roof cleaning business, thinking about starting one or maybe even those who have had a business up and running but need advice to avoid problems their having.
I have been cleaning all types of roofs full-time for three years. The information I will be providing is what I feel is genuine, honest & kind of hard to come by, if you know what I mean. Please be careful no matter who's advice you take and remember that I am just trying to help and in no way can I be held responsible for a mistake that could happen on your behalf.
My business that I own & operate is based in Florida. There are a zillion roofs here that need to be cleaned at least every 2-5 years. Most of these are tile and shingle, of course. The weather conditions make it a great place to be successful in this industry. The heat, humidity & rain encourage the mold and mildew to thrive just about anywhere....especially roofs!
So how do you clean them? I'll tell you! Why? Because I'm here to help, not to sell you some package for money explaining all the tips and tricks that no one wants to share.
There are only a couple of different ways to clean roofs and I would have to say that about 75% of my competition does it one way and 25% does it the other way. The most popular method of cleaning is using a mixture of chlorine, water and either adding tsp or some kind of mildew inhibitors to it. You have to be really careful when adding something to chlorine. You don't want to add too much tsp. and you never want to add a detergent that has ammonia in it; as a bomb could result from ignorance.
The worst thing about using chlorine is that it is very toxic and will end up killing just about any plant life that it gets on or near. In my experience I have applied full strength and i have tried chlorine/water mixtures like 80/20, 60/40, 50/50, 40/60...maybe I have bad luck and the other guys don't, but I will tell you that no matter which solution I used nothing good ever came of it. Even when I used the weaker mixes I had stress of worrying if the phone was gonna ring with an upset customer three days after servicing. Don't get me wrong, chlorine can be used without it having negative effects on the landscape surrounding the house but you have to make sure that: the mixture is neutral, you water the roots of all landscape before, during and after applying, and the house needs to have gutters to isolate the runoff solution. What if you apply chlorine to a roof without gutters and as soon as you're done it starts raining for 10 minutes. All the rain will rinse the chlorine off the roof onto your customers landscape and proceed to water the roots with a toxic solution. NOT GOOD!!!!!! You will be sorry, trust me!
I had $6000 worth of plant damage to a customers house right after Christmas and it is all because we listened to the pressure washer repair men and changed the way we were cleaning roofs. Needless to say, that was the last time I ever used a toxic chemical on a roof. The guys that repair machines don't want you using safe soaps and water because you will put a lot less money in their pockets. If you don't believe me then you will probably find out the hard way one day, as I did.
So how do you apply the chlorine? Most guys have a chemical tank with nylon tubing mounted to their trailer rigs. This is certainly the best way to apply the chemical if you insist on this method of cleaning. Using a pressure washer with a chemical bypass does protect your pump from getting damaged but still doesn't help your wand, gaskets, etc...You'll end up at the repair shop every other week if you are using your pressure washer.....which is exactly what they want!
So you have a neutral mix, you've watered the plants, you have a tank with nylon tubing, what now? Well, don't climb up that ladder until the morning dew has evaporated, otherwise the roof will be extremely slippery. Also, the hotter it is, the better the chlorine will clean. 10 am is a great starting time. Get on the roof and carefully start misting the surface with your chemical, working bottom to top, and ensuring you never step on a spot you just sprayed. You WILL slip if you do! Within an hour you will be done spraying and you will notice that the roof is extremely clean. Congrats, now pray that you don't end up with a nightmare.