NO BLEACH roof cleaning? Help!!

Keenan,
I was thinking that same exact thing. The only thing that I can can infer is that in Florida they have a bunch of places that you drive up and fill your own tanks with SH. It looked like there may have been one of the supply hoses hanging on the wall of the building. Just a guess at best
 
i was just at a job for roof cleaning. The property manager had a roofer meet me out there and the roofers suggested no chlorine on roof that it would damage the flashing and copper gutters and the metal would fail maybe not this year or next but 5 years down the road the affect of the chlorine on the metal and gutters would be bad. I told him that everything would be rinsed very thoroughly and he had a comment for that too. I am at loss here what should i tell the property manager.
 
Sounds like the roofer already planted a bug in this guys ear and nothing you say will convince him otherwise. This may be one of the cases to show the ARMA bulletin which suggest using bleach. And there havent been any lawsuits against the manufacturer by anyone who has followed their suggestion. If this guy is determined to get his roof cleaned he has 2 choices: chemical cleaning with a chlorine based detergent, or pressure washing. Theres no in between. Then I would throw eggs at the roofers house for saying something dumb.
 
Eric, I have not been able to sell a roof wash job yet but I will tell you the printed copies of shingle manufacturers cleaning suggestions have left a big impression. We had a nasty couple of hail storms last year and everybody and their brother got their roofs replaced. Some are getting them replaced now from last year. There is a disconnect between the roofing manufacturers and the roofers if they are saying two different things. Personally, I would take the word of the person or company making the shingles rather than the guy putting them up, but that is just me.
 
Most of the asphalt shingle manufacturer's bulletins are almost the same.

I would print all of them out and show them to customers and explain that is how the manufacturer wants them cleaned so it does not damage the product (using pressure or degreasers) and will not void the warranty.

If they don't want you using the SH, you don't want to use the alternatives (degreasers and pressure) as they will damage the roof so you have 1 less customer.

I would not use pressure on a shingle roof as it will remove a lot of the granules and could possibly start leaks either now or next rain.

Between making money doing the wrong thing or not damaging the roof and losing money and saving a reputation, I would walk.

I would hate to have an insurance claim, bad publicity or anything else happen because of not using the proper cleaning chemicals and methods.

Just my opinion.
 
eric perry said:
i was just at a job for roof cleaning. The property manager had a roofer meet me out there and the roofers suggested no chlorine on roof that it would damage the flashing and copper gutters and the metal would fail maybe not this year or next but 5 years down the road the affect of the chlorine on the metal and gutters would be bad. I told him that everything would be rinsed very thoroughly and he had a comment for that too. I am at loss here what should i tell the property manager.
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Just tell him "the Roofer is wrong and the manufacture of YOUR shingle says he's wrong too....when you are ready to have the roof cleaned the RIGHT way, call me." And next time, don't meet the roofer. The problem is you lost control and let the roofer have it. Feel free to call me some time and I'll walk you through how may can get this back and better prepare you for next time.
 
To answer the original question, no there is no document I know of that specifically lists Sodium Hypochlorite to clean a roof. The funny thing about the ARMA doc is that those guys roof shampoo guys are clueless. look up the term bleach, it is a blanket term describing anything that lightens color, hence the term you may hear 'sun bleached'. Because uv radiation is bleach as well. So is sodium precarb, its even often sold as non-chlorine bleach. the document also uses the term 'high pressure' saying not to use it. Well high pressure is pretty arbitrary and debatable. So if I owned a roof shampoo franchise I would pull out the exact same ARMA doc and say "see we are using bleach and we are not using high pressure" and they would still be telling the truth based on that document being way to vague and open to interpretation. You cannot change the dictionary definition of bleach and there is no federal or scientific classification of 'high pressure'.
So now that your all ruffled up lets get back to the flow. I like to use the ARMA and GAF bulletins, and I like to tell customers to call a roofing manufacturer. Most times it seems that when they call a manufacturer and say we want to either pressure wash it or spray a pool shock solution on it the rep on the phone will do the work for you.
To the person that had a problem with the roofer and the property manager, have the pm call a roofing manufacturer.
This can backfire. I have a document we keep from a cedar roof manufacturer that says you can clean their cedar shingles with high pressure or a no pressure chlorine method, then it emphasizes making sure your contractor is reputable, so this company just threw it back at the contractors. Also Talon shingles does recommend a -1200psi pressure washing method and refer all their warranty work to a pressure washing roof distributor who in turn gives the work to contractors that buy his stuff. They claim to have been doing this with Talon for 25 years. You will not get invited to bid on them through Talon so you wont see these jobs.
 
apwasher said:
To answer the original question, no there is no document I know of that specifically lists Sodium Hypochlorite to clean a roof. The funny thing about the ARMA doc is that those guys roof shampoo guys are clueless. look up the term bleach, it is a blanket term describing anything that lightens color, hence the term you may hear 'sun bleached'. Because uv radiation is bleach as well. So is sodium precarb, its even often sold as non-chlorine bleach. the document also uses the term 'high pressure' saying not to use it. Well high pressure is pretty arbitrary and debatable. So if I owned a roof shampoo franchise I would pull out the exact same ARMA doc and say "see we are using bleach and we are not using high pressure" and they would still be telling the truth based on that document being way to vague and open to interpretation. You cannot change the dictionary definition of bleach and there is no federal or scientific classification of 'high pressure'.
So now that your all ruffled up lets get back to the flow. I like to use the ARMA and GAF bulletins, and I like to tell customers to call a roofing manufacturer. Most times it seems that when they call a manufacturer and say we want to either pressure wash it or spray a pool shock solution on it the rep on the phone will do the work for you.
To the person that had a problem with the roofer and the property manager, have the pm call a roofing manufacturer.
This can backfire. I have a document we keep from a cedar roof manufacturer that says you can clean their cedar shingles with high pressure or a no pressure chlorine method, then it emphasizes making sure your contractor is reputable, so this company just threw it back at the contractors. Also Talon shingles does recommend a -1200psi pressure washing method and refer all their warranty work to a pressure washing roof distributor who in turn gives the work to contractors that buy his stuff. They claim to have been doing this with Talon for 25 years. You will not get invited to bid on them through Talon so you wont see these jobs.
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Actually it says "the use of high pressure WASHING SYSTEMS for algae removal should not be used. "
 
That's a good point Doug but still open to interpretation. I had a roof shampoo guy tell me it is a low pressure system, and in comparison to hydro blasting i guess it is lol. I had some PWNA big wigs a couple years ago try to tell me that 12v pumps could be considered power washers as they are powered pumps. They said this under the claim that some people did not think no pressure roof cleaning could be added to the Power washers org, as it didn't fit the name. So they just made it fit the name. Silly how easily this can be done.
 
I have been having a company in my area advertising yard signs saying "safe roof cleaning, Shingle & tile - no bleach used - safe for pets & landscaping"...sooo I was curious as to how they are cleaning roofs and gave them a call.

Said my name was blah blah and I have black streaks on my shingle roof, I didnt know those could be cleaned (laughing inside as I said it) and how do you do it?

It was a lady who answered and this is her exact words..."well we don't use a pressure washer because that is not recommended to properly clean roofs, we use a soft wash process and special detergents called Sodium Hypochlorite..or however your pronounce it (and chuckled) mixed with average dish soap". So I replied... "isn't that a fancy name for Bleach? I thought your sign said bleach free?"

She then replied..."Oh well Im not really sure Im new at this, my husband jeff can meet you and give you a free estimate and fully explain the cleaning process better I just answer the phone, would you like to set up an estimate?

....its a shame that people have to be dishonest in there advertising just make their phone ring.
 
Dan Manley said:
I have been having a company in my area advertising yard signs saying "safe roof cleaning, Shingle & tile - no bleach used - safe for pets & landscaping"...sooo I was curious as to how they are cleaning roofs and gave them a call.

Said my name was blah blah and I have black streaks on my shingle roof, I didnt know those could be cleaned (laughing inside as I said it) and how do you do it?

It was a lady who answered and this is her exact words..."well we don't use a pressure washer because that is not recommended to properly clean roofs, we use a soft wash process and special detergents called Sodium Hypochlorite..or however your pronounce it (and chuckled) mixed with average dish soap". So I replied... "isn't that a fancy name for Bleach? I thought your sign said bleach free?"

She then replied..."Oh well Im not really sure Im new at this, my husband jeff can meet you and give you a free estimate and fully explain the cleaning process better I just answer the phone, would you like to set up an estimate?

....its a shame that people have to be dishonest in there advertising just make their phone ring.
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Good Post Dan! A fewdo the same things here in Tampa, when selling roof cleaning, so don't feel left out.
One customer actually recorded every roof cleaning company in Tampa she shopped (including, and unknown to us), and after my Son and I cleaned her big tile roof, she asked us if we would like to actually Listen to our competitors!
I do not shop my competitors, ever.
We pretty much have our prices we charge to remain in business, and most of the time we are so busy, I could care less what the others are charging.
But I am only Human, and when the chance came to actually hear what other roof cleaning outfits say to potential customers, I jumped on it.
This lady called everyone and their brother who cleans roofs in Tampa, and actually I was shocked at how good our competitors were at explaining the roof cleaning process!
I honestly thought some of our competitors actually took more time with her (we are very very busy), and did a better job then I did!
Nearly all of them were cheaper then we are, some by nearly half!
She paid 875.00 for a 3000 sq ft barrel tile roof, with 3 car garage.
Some of our competitors were coming in at 450.00 !

A few were outright liars about their process, and their skills, time in business, etc, etc, etc.
But quite a few were pretty darn honest, and quite good at selling the roof cleaning.

However, she went with us!

I asked her why she chose us, and she told me she did her homework. I have links to Both the RCIA Forums on my website, and she followed them, and saw me teaching roof cleaning to others on the RCIA Forums.
Plus, she saw where we won Small Business Of The Year back in 2002.

She told me this is what convinced her to pay a little more, and choose us.

Plus, she also told me that I am "more her age" (she was 61, I am 58)

We are more or less from the same generation, and she said she just felt more comfortable with us.
 
Dan Manley said:
I have been having a company in my area advertising yard signs saying "safe roof cleaning, Shingle & tile - no bleach used - safe for pets & landscaping"...sooo I was curious as to how they are cleaning roofs and gave them a call.

Said my name was blah blah and I have black streaks on my shingle roof, I didnt know those could be cleaned (laughing inside as I said it) and how do you do it?

It was a lady who answered and this is her exact words..."well we don't use a pressure washer because that is not recommended to properly clean roofs, we use a soft wash process and special detergents called Sodium Hypochlorite..or however your pronounce it (and chuckled) mixed with average dish soap". So I replied... "isn't that a fancy name for Bleach? I thought your sign said bleach free?"

She then replied..."Oh well Im not really sure Im new at this, my husband jeff can meet you and give you a free estimate and fully explain the cleaning process better I just answer the phone, would you like to set up an estimate?

....its a shame that people have to be dishonest in there advertising just make their phone ring.
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Dan we are having the LARGEST roof cleaning and soft washing training event in the country in January, Softwashapolooza. This is our 4th time holding it and we have booked an entire church camp and are expecting to top 100 attendees NOT INCLUDING VENDORS, from around 60 soft wash companies. You should check it out. The fee includes the classes, labs, food and lodging.

http://softwashsystems.com/page_softwashapolooza-east.htm

Thanks,

AC
 
apsurfacesolutions said:
Here is owens corning recommended roof cleaning method.

CAUSES
Algae growth causes a dark discoloration on roofs. The algae is usually brown to black in color which results in a streaked, dirty looking rooftop. It can be mistaken for soot, dirt or tree droppings, which typically produce only localized discoloration. It's caused by the growth of air-borne algae which deposits on your roof. The good news is that algae growth does not affect the service life of your roofing material. It occurs most often in warm, humid climates such as the Southeast (where algae-resistant shingles are available).
RECOMMENDATIONS
Discoloration of roofs caused by fungus or algae is difficult to remove, but may be lightened by spraying a diluted solution of chlorine bleach, trisodium phosphate, and water onto the roof. Solutions range from one cup TSP, one gallon bleach and four gallons of water, to one cup TSP and 2.5 gallons each of bleach and water. This solution can then be rinsed from the roof in 10 to 15 minutes. Do not scrub. Scrubbing will loosen and remove granules. After spraying be sure to thoroughly flush the roof and the greenery around the home (grass, bushes and shrubs) with water. The effectiveness of this type of cleaning may only be temporary, and the discoloration may recur. High pressure washing is not recommended due to the possibility of removing granules, thereby shortening the life of the Roofing System.
For a more permanent solution, re-roof with Owens Corning Algae-Resistant Shingles. They are specifically designed to inhibit most algae growth for extended periods of time and are backed by our strongest product and algae resistance warranties* available to homeowners.
*See actual Algae-Resistant shingle warranty for details. Algae-Resistant products are not available in all areas. Contact your local Owens Corning supplier for more informatio
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ARMA has new suggestions for their roof cleaning mixture. The new mixture calls for store bought bleach like Clorox, etc, diluted 50%.
They have dropped the suggestion of using TSP.
FWIW
 
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