Roof wash equipment needed?

J

Jared

Member
We have a single story roof to wash but I'm not sure how to set up for it. We have used a whisper wash on the roof but don't want to do that again. I know there is a way to do a soft wash but i have never done that before. We have 8 gpm 3500 psi hydrotek units and we use the x-jet end of the line Chem feed for siding but the x-jet seems to be a bit much for doing a roof. I don't want to ruin shingles!
I will buy the equipment for this job but not sure what is needed. I have 30 ga Chem tank with a weak pump(12v?) we use for degreaser on flat work on the front of my rig. Could I just put a stronger pump and shoot using our existing Chem tank and line? What do you use for applying the chemical?
 
Yes thats what I would do just spray cleaner from Chem tank and lines you have. What GPM is 12v pump? I use a 5 GPM 12v pump and it works great. I then just have garden hose hooked up to pump with nozzle on the end and spray away.
 
Man, honestly if you dont know and are not set up plus if you have never done one I would just punt, you need to research videos, I have a few as well on youtube myself, read read read.

Please unless you understand mix ratios, runoff control, divertion of chems, know when and when not to rinse and a ton of other variables you are setting you and the customer up for a disaster. Your insurance has to be upgraded to cover roof cleaning as well or you ARE NOT covered.

Please do a lot more research before just "cleaning" a roof and DO NOT do it with a surface cleaner as this will void the customers roof warranty and take years off the life of the shingle.
 
Alright, who's signing in under a new screen name here with the jokes?

Dude if you're for real, completely fill in your info in the signature to give a little more credibility among those here. Read some books, search these forums like crazy before even thinking about roofs. Then call a reusable equipment dealer for the right stuff. Don't mean to seem like a smarts$$, but it's gonna take more time to help you out than anybody here has to type up a quick answer to. Put some time into your research and good luck.

Whisper Wash on the roof, wow...
 
The whisper wash was used once. I'm sure everyone has a learning curve that sometimes includes a stupid move at the beginning. That was mine and I haven't done a roof since. We don't offer the service but as this roof is simple I thought I could try learning the right way. After reading 'some' of the material that has been posted here I thought it would possible to make the step for this roof with a bit of input. The post on getting started and using the Oxiclean seemed reachable to me but perhaps I'm mistaken??? Any suggestions on where to learn a step by step process and the right chemical use would be appreciated.:idea:
 
Jared said:
We have a single story roof to wash but I'm not sure how to set up for it. We have used a whisper wash on the roof but don't want to do that again. I know there is a way to do a soft wash but i have never done that before. We have 8 gpm 3500 psi hydrotek units and we use the x-jet end of the line Chem feed for siding but the x-jet seems to be a bit much for doing a roof. I don't want to ruin shingles!
I will buy the equipment for this job but not sure what is needed. I have 30 ga Chem tank with a weak pump(12v?) we use for degreaser on flat work on the front of my rig. Could I just put a stronger pump and shoot using our existing Chem tank and line? What do you use for applying the chemical?
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www.roofcleaninginstitute.org

Chris Tucker & AC Lockyer are experts in the industry.

Check the Website and look at there Forum as well. The info is here also on PWI, Chris Tucker was a resident Expert here for many years prior to the founding of the RCIA.

All the info you will need exists here and there.

There is also another Site called www.roofcleaningforums.com I never go there but some say its also a good source.

Good Luck and Russ is on track I'm sure as he has been a commercial Sidewalk cleaner for over tens years now has a tremendous amount of experience with Larger projects, Stadiums, goverment jobs and muni. Russ is and exterior cleaning specialist and started the PWNA water reclaim program in 2008.

Good Luck and Welcome to the www.pressurewashinginstitute.com
 
Do yourself a huge favor and do some reading here and on the roof cleaning forum.

A lot of times guys will come here and want this, want that, and will have a hissy-fit if the info is not spoon fed to them. There is a lot of great info here to read and learn so you don't fall off a roof, don't kill their garden and lawn and so you do a good job.

There are countless stories of guys that just want to make a quick buck, learn just what they need to get the job done and that is what gives the industry black eyes, the ones that will not learn how to do things right, take the time to learn the right way, get the right equipment, training, proper insurance, etc....

It is up to you, there are guys that will let you help them on-site for free so you can learn, you just have to call around and see and ask, some will charge to teach you.

Do the right thing if you are really serious about learning how to clean roofs so we don't hear about someone falling off a roof, damaging someone's roof or killing their landscaping.
 
Thanks. All very helpful! There is a lot to learn. We are a large window cleaning company that started flat work about 3 years ago because of our window customers. We pw homes because of our windows as well. We have been trying to learn from some companies we are friends with but there is more to learn than is immediately apparent. I want to make sure we do it right and well so the input is helpful. If you take a look at our webpage you can see we aren't a small nor new outfit. Just learning a new area.
 
Those units would be fine for rinsing with a low pressure nozzle but for application of the cleaners the downstream method usually puts on too weak a mix for roofs, especially with an 8 gpm unit. Most common is a direct application method with roof cleaning, Shurflo pumps, delavan, Udor penta pumps or air driven pumps are the most common with the serious roof cleaning contractor. Let me know if I can help further.
 
I talk to Jared today and he is not a newbie by any stretch. He is new to roof cleaning. His company is very professional and they do 7 figures a year. It's not easy for people to ask question here. Everyone on here has asked a dumb or newbie question at one point or time. If you want the respect, give some!
 
To surface clean or softwash a ROOF!!

Jared said:
The whisper wash was used once. I'm sure everyone has a learning curve that sometimes includes a stupid move at the beginning. That was mine and I haven't done a roof since. We don't offer the service but as this roof is simple I thought I could try learning the right way. After reading 'some' of the material that has been posted here I thought it would possible to make the step for this roof with a bit of input. The post on getting started and using the Oxiclean seemed reachable to me but perhaps I'm mistaken??? Any suggestions on where to learn a step by step process and the right chemical use would be appreciated.:idea:
Click to expand...

Does anyone know of any good YOUTUBE videos of guys pushing a surface cleaner around on a roof, I'd like to watch them. LOL Not trying to knock BA, you look like you have your thing together!! But they would make for a good show. I may take mine up on the roof tomorrow just to see how many hits I get.
 
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