Pressure Wash Or Softwash?

Kemp said:
I have out washed a guy 2 to 1 when I was using a 12v pump softwash to put on the soap and rinse with a pressure washer. He was downstreaming only. It all depends on what you are up against and how well you can use your setup.
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Thank goodness you're rinsing properly. Some of the "SoftWashers" really give the rest of us a bad name by hosing everything down with strong bleach and then rinsing with a light spray or not at all.

Like Doug said (and I have heard PT Bob say many times) it's "proper cleaning methods".
 
18 roofs a day is a lot of roofs.

Sounds like you really have a good system of cleaning roofs and concrete also.
 
Hello AC - any news on when another conference call may be available to attend?
 
Potato potat-oe argument , correct, right, safe.

This argument is not good for either market, instead of a cleaning professional being able to sell the home cleaning service we are all running around attempting to disprove each other’s cleaning methods.

Every contractor that’s done the education knows that cleaning with the correct methods results can happen safely.

A pressure washing unit is just at a tool, a 12 volt pump is just another tool. One is easier to control and has less chances of causing damage directly related to psi.
In roof cleaning methods a lower volume pump with a stronger solution might be a faster more efficient safer way.

Washing a Vertical surface not requiring strong chemicals a higher volume low pressure pump might be a more effective way to clean a larger structure.
I believe that using the proper tools at the right procedure is a choice and can remain safe if the contractor uses common sense about this.
Pressure washer can be bad for cleaning Concrete in the hands of someone who doesn’t know better.


Gentleman we should be working towards making things easier for consumers not fighting with one another about what is better or worse.
Of course blasting a roof versus using lower pressure to wash with a chemical process sounds safer faster much easier to accomplish the cleaning.

However here in the desert the try a 12 volt pump on a stucco vertical surface. It’s not the right method to safely clean this type of surface. Dust and dirt will not come off the building safely with this systems can’t compete with a higher volume lower pressure pump. (Normally used on a PW)

I’m sorry; I will make this Challenge to anyone who wants to take it at anytime. I will clean it better more effectively and make more money. I will do it safer as well.


We can keep telling a customer who’s right or wrong, I’ll continue to tell them your both right depending on the surface and the methods they choose.
Industry people showing pressure washers being unsafe to use are wrong.


Second I’ll show you that water melon won’t come clean without pressure. Have you seen our dirt? Have you seen an Adobe home? They make them out of the earth, the dirt is like concrete. It laughs at Bleach……
I’m not telling people Soft washing is Bad, I’m telling them I will use the correct pressure when need an will not damage any surface.
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Debating is good, Started this thread to make others realize there's always the right way.
 
One hundred percent right on, Ron.
I prefer to have the use of the whole tool box, not try to convince people that only vice grips are the responsible choice and that anyone who uses a wrench is a vandal. I want to be able to use the BEST tool for whatever the job is.
When one person accuses 99% of the professional contractors out there of being destructive and unethical we need to speak up with a balanced view.

BTW, I heard you made a heck of a post on Facebook. I wish I had seen it before it got pulled.
 
I agree with you both right here. You have to try things and learn so you can know things. A cookie cutter is great if you only do one thing. Some people only really know one way of cleaning, they should try to learn more ways and how each one is different.

It helps to have more than one tool in your toolbox too.

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I washed a house yesterday. It had been improperly washed several times to the point someone had painted over all the gutters and most of the metal trim. I could see where chemical.... strong chemical had dried on the paint and removed it. I should have taken pictures. Where the water/chems run under the porch and drips hang there you could see paint missing in pattern of drips where chems had concentrated on the paint.

Here's something else: This lady had a guy do it for $200 before, she never told me over the phone why she wasn't using the same guy. She really seemed to be interested in having me wash for her and I was about to let her go since she would not pay what I asked. I offered her a disount price right off the bat, but she wouldn't pay it. Normally someone would have hung-up by now. She said she knew it was worth my price, but she could not afford it. I did it for what she could afford.

Hindsight 20/20: After getting there and seeing how the place was maintained it is obvious she had never had a real pro to do anything around there before. It seems she was reaping what she had sown all these years, but still is not entirely understanding the value of professional services.

Having hacks around definitely takes away from consumer confidence and people feel like paying less for crappy work Vs. paying more for crappy work. Also, I had driven by another PW'er working in the neighborhood. He was on a roof blasting away at some gutters close range. He was still there when I left. How was he going to reach the other gutters where there was no roof to stand on. You can see evidence on the houses where the mold/mildew is still present under the edges of the siding from blasting with a downward angle. This guy is spending all day on these houses for 200 bucks I assume.
 
Point of view on this subject is of less importance, than facts.
With most things you buy, the manufacturer tells you how they should be maintained and cleaned.
Roofing is no different.
We can use all kinds of "tools" and our own thinking, or clean the way the manufacturers, who warranty the roofs, say to clean them.
Also, after coatings are included in these manufacturer links-like Roof-A Cide and others.
Not my opinion here-just a post of manufacturer links, that can be followed or ignored.
The below info and links, prove how those who manufacture and warranty roofing "ACTUALLY" approve of cleaning them!
 __________________________________________________________________
From GAF Roofing Manufacturers about black algae removal:
http://www.gaf.com/Documents/Algae_...of_Surfaces_-_Steep_Slope_Techn-43-808-v3.pdf

Below is a partial "cut and paste" excerpt from the above link: GAF Roofing Manufacturers, on how to clean a roof:

"If a new roof is not an option, GAF recommends cleaning the roof with a special mixture. That mixture is: 4 gallons of water, 1 gallon of bleach and 1 cup of TSP" "What NOT To Do! Do not power wash the shingles to clean the shingles. Some roof cleaning companies offer this service. However, it is not recommended."

 From ARMA roofing manufacturers Association-how to clean roofing.
http://www.asphaltroofing.org/pdf/tb_217.pdf

Below is a partial excerpt cut and pasted below from ARMA:
Algae discolorations to remove from roofing surfaces, applying a solution of chlorine bleach, trisodium phosphate, {TSP}and water. Solutions for these ingredients depend on the amount of discoloration. Solutions range to one cup TSP and 2.5 gallons each of bleach and water. First, gently disperse this solution on the roofing surface. Avoid scrubbing the surface, as this friction may loosen and remove granules. Caution! High pressure washing systems for algae removal should not be used.

 Owens Corning Roofing Manufacturers say
the same thing:
"USE CHLORINE and TSP" "DO NOT USE A PRESSURE WASHER"
Corning info in link below.
http://webapps.easy2.com/cm2/flash/generic_index.asp?page_id=36077811

This one, from the ARMA, says not to allow anyone to apply any

*after coating*

such as Algae-cides, Fungicides, zinc, copper, or other treatments - not anything!
http://www.asphaltroofing.org/pdf/tb_227.pdf
 
What does that have to do with convincing some poor little old lady that you have to nuke her siding with bleach with your 12v pump because anyone who *heaven forbid!* uses a pressure washer with low pressure tips is a vandal and a con artist? Just spray it with bleach and collect a check. Rinsing is overrated.

Oh, the irony....
 


Here's the trouble, 30 years an this is not addressed by anyone from our professional Orgs.

Now the www.uamcc.org will not be afraid to address the issue. Pressure washers are merely a tool, if used properly it will not harm a surface. Unfortunately we have had Cowboys in the past an will in the future tear peoples properties up with to much pressure.

The consumer much know As well as the contractors who are miss-informed about operating a pressure washer.

I'm glad that we are at least on the same Page with common sense.
 
Thad said:
What does that have to do with convincing some poor little old lady that you have to nuke her siding with bleach with your 12v pump because anyone who *heaven forbid!* uses a pressure washer with low pressure tips is a vandal and a con artist? Just spray it with bleach and collect a check. Rinsing is overrated.

Oh, the irony....
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Oh, the propaganda. +1


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Hmmmm, you read an awful lot into that!!!
You read that I said something about cleaning siding?
You read something about convincing old ladies?
You read that I said something about vandals and con artists?
Nice drama talk, but unrelated to the facts I posted or anything I said.
I didn't say or post anything about siding. I have been a pressure washer since 1989.
If you read all the links and quotes, it's about roofing, not house walls. I don't softwash anything but roofs-I pressure wash all but roofs. Convincing a little old lady" comments are not the most mature way to discuss a subject? As to roofs, I just clean them as any little old lady would want-in a way that will not void her warranty and using the chemicals specified by the roofing manufacturers.
If you have to convince little old ladies, that in spite of how the roofing manufacturers say to clean roofs and specifically say "DO NOT PRESSURE WASH" that's up to you.
I pressure cleaned many hundreds of roofs, before I learned the right way to clean them.
Pressure washing a shingled roof is an outdated method and damaging to the shingles.
Of course, noone can pressure wash a shingled roof a few times and not see that they are blowing the granules off.
 
Chuck that was not directed at your post. You probably need to read this whole thread to understand whats being said. No I agree a PW should never be used on a roof, the argument I have is these 12v roof systems are now being touted as a house/building wash systems by some of the manufactures, and the marketing propaganda that goes along with it.


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Guy Blackmon said:
Chuck that was not directed at your post. You probably need to read this whole thread to understand whats being said. No I agree a PW should never be used on a roof, the argument I have is these 12v roof systems are now being touted as a house/building wash systems by some of the manufactures, and the marketing propaganda that goes along with it.


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Guy nailed it, Chuck.
Sorry if I offended you, it was my fault for poor communication.
 
Hello Guy!
No, I was answering Thad.
I know you know very well how to clean roofs!
I tried chemical cleaning a couple of houses and decided that's what pressure washing machines are made for.
Good to talk to you again!
I had no problem with your comment.
I also did not read the whole thread and that's my fault.
I will go read it all now.
Your friend,
Chuck
 
Hello Thad,
When I saw a post "Pressure Wash or Soft Wash" I automatically assumed it was about roofing, because that's all I would ever consider soft washing [or a driveway here and there]
We just mis-communicated and it was my fault for "assuming" it was about roofs.
I have pressure washed everything but roofs since 1991 and before that, I pressure washed roofs too.
Let's start over! :kiss:
 
soft washing AND pressure washing...that's where it's at. I wonder what the success rate is for those that have 12v or air diaphragm pumps only is. I just can't imagine someone being successful that does not own a pressure washer.
 
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