STOP Cleaning Roofs Everyone !

I saw it posted as a link elsewhere today and didn't even notice it was old.
I appreciated what you had to say in the thread though!
Thanks and I will let it die now, if no-one else has anything to say.
Chuck
 
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No problem, hate to see another drama session out of another bleach vs. whatever debate, they are really getting old when they happen. hahahahaha
 
RAC said:
At the risk of pissing everyone off, I am going to try to clear up a couple of misconceptions so that new people – or those that want to learn what choices they have, aren’t misled by the comments of the 8 people that post virtually everything written on this BBS about Roof Cleaning.

Here are some facts that are constantly ignored:
  • ARMA does not manufacture Roofing Products. And the tech bulletin everyone refers to is only for asphalt shingles. It’s the same one they put out in 1980, with the exception of the added reference to algae resistant shingles.

    That tech bulletin is so good that they have stood behind it for YEARS!
  • There are several roof materials manufacturers that have approved cleaning methods other than drenching a roof with chlorine. American Roof Brite, Roof Reviver, and Roof-A-Cide all have products that have been tested and approved by actual manufacturers of roof materials – but you won’t hear about these if you just contact ARMA, read their bulletin, or rely on BBS sites like this for all of your info & education.

    John, actually my product was tested in ELK's lab by Randy Huges director of warranty claims and was judged safe for shingle roofs. Also we felt so strongly about our product that we stood behind it in writing for 5 years and even went the additional step of stating that if our chemicals and or process voided the manufacturers warranty that we would take over the warranty and honor the provisions of the warranty for the property owner. We never did nor have now any treatment program because our product was designed to last 5 years in Florida on a shingle roof.
  • Everyone that has access to the Internet knows you can get a roof clean with $20.00 worth of pool bleach, but you would be hard pressed to find a Professional Roofer using it.

    The pool bleach is just a small part of the cost. John you know this! We are in the service business. The biggest cost is LABOR. Trying to make this a chemical cost battle is silly. We all know that chems are but a small part of the service and that advertising, facility, transportation, equipment and other costs are way more than just the silly bleach. Also in some parts of the country bleach is $3.00 a gallon. So that would make it $60.00 by your math. Our chemicals in the SoftWash System come out to be about .98 per gallon applied. On a 2,500 square foot house you would need about 40 gallons and that would be about $40.00, however I recommend to all my contractors that they sell the service for $200.00 an hour. That is because payroll is about 50 cents on the dollar and you want to make at least 20 cents profit. That leaves only 30 cents on the dollar for overhead of which bleach is not a large concern.

    Trust me Mallard Systems once used 30,000 gallons a month in sodium hypochlorite with a monthly gross revenue of $360,000.00. That was about 6% of the total overhead.
  • Why? Because they know what it will do to the roof fixtures & underlayment – even though the salt content left behind on an asphalt shingle roof (that has been properly rinsed) is not going to do any damage to the shingles themselves.

    Roofs are made to shed water....chemicals....milk.... when a chemical is topically applied under professional guidelines NO damage is done to the roof, the nails, the underlament, the flashing, the drip edge, etc.
  • Some insurance companies do require homeowners to get their roofs cleaned. Matt Hixon of Hixon Roof Renew in Little Rock, AR just did one last week. The insurance company was not going to renew the policy unless the Homeowner either had it cleaned or replaced. Give him a call & ask him.

    Also many banks will not put a new mortgage on a house unless it has at least 5 years of life left in it.
  • While some companies do use scare tactics (and you’ll see A LOT of scare tactics if you look at the websites of the Contractors that post here), it is a fact that contractors throughout the country are looking for safer and more efficient ways to get a roof clean or keep it clean. They all know you can use bleach. They all know it’s cheap, effective, and relatively easy – but the other issues like employee safety, landscaping, property damage, and equipment damage are obviously more important to them.

    All of these damages are solved by adequate training, education and accountability. Even RAC products can cause damages when used outside of label instructions etc. Not to say RAC is any different from any other chemical. Every chemical and or process should be undertaken by a trained professional and used in accordance with label instructions.
  • Roof-A-Cide is approved by GAF Materials and Monier LifeTile – two of the largest roof materials manufacturers in the US. Our products don’t contain any bleaches or sodium hydroxide and they have been used on over 100,000 roofs in 13 states over the last 10 years.

    Mallard Systems and TerraClean (who were the companies I owned and used to develop the SoftWash Systems line of products) were also approved by GAF and Monier LifeTile as well as Tamco, Elk, Celotec, Semans, Owens Corning, Durolast, Siplast, Decra, Fibertite and the list goes on!
Click to expand...

Just wanted everyone to know (as one of the eight lol) I haven't ignored the facts (points) that John has brought up here. It also takes a proven business system to run a successful roof & exterior soft washing company. John your products are OK in my book. I think they are viable! There is more than one way to skin a cat. I just don't prefer the school of thought you evolved from. I do think your name doesn't speak well of your product. That was a marketing oops, but you seem to have done well despite it.

Above you mention that RAC has been used on over 100,000 roofs. What was your total dollar sales for that 100,000 roofs? What was your average roof? Just would be cool to compare notes.

Thanks,

AC
 
Guys, this is an old thread from a few years ago.

John has not been here in a long time.
 
Truth In Roof-A-Cide Conversation / Manufacturer Approved Cleaning Methods. C.BERGMAN

*1st off, I just re-read my wording. I always tend to be frank and to the point. So, if I sound offensive or argumentative, that's not at all what I'm shooting for.*
WOW! I just happened upon this old 2011 post. Couldn't help but wonder, after all these years, if after all it's "Claims" does Roof-A-Cide, in 2018 have 1 single link, to any roofing manufacturer, that actually shows they recommend RAC's "Feild Application" of his, [what I assume is just copper sulfate] yet?
If so, I'm not looking to have an arguement with RAC franchise owners, I know franchises for RAC are outrageously expensive! I'd just like RAC to post the links. For instance, I am clearly in opposition to seeing anyone completely waste their hard earned money, paying for a RAC application, or the load of other similar, or exact content products out there now, only to get a 2 year warranty. That's nothing at all. You could softwash a shingled roof, with a 2.5% chlorine solution, using the most common delivery pressure of 60 psi, not even adding any surfactants or TSP and it would remain clean for 2-3 years anyway! You could even just pressure wash it, after applying 10-20% downstream chlorine [ as 95% My Guess ] of all pressure washing contractors do and get 2 years of a clean looking roof! Most of mine last 3-5 years, with about 3 1/2 - 4 being how long I tell the customers to expect. I'm in SW Florida, so I'm sure every other stae, or any part of Florida, North of me, would easily get longer, standard results. SO, WHAT IS THE 2 YEAR RAC WARRANTY OFFERING? Maybe a chance for RAC to come back every 2 years?Anyway, that's my feelings, having been in the roof cleaning and pressure washing business, right here in Charlotte County Florida since 1989. In that 29 years, I have tried darn near every "New idea, Go Green, Wet'n-Spayn'Forget- type product that have been spewed out! Nothing does what it claims. So, back to roofing manufacturer links to prove our claims. Here is one of mine: https://asphaltroofing.org/coating-of-asphalt-shingles-after-installation/
One more thing. Those who oppose using the roofing manufacturer method of roof cleaning, which includes Sodium Hypochlorite - Chlorine - the one and only chemical specified by any roofing manufacturer [ that I have seen on any roofing manufacturer site ] to be used as a cleaning chemical for algae infestations on roofs, often speak of the SH getting under the shingles or tile, and causing damage to the nails and underlayment. Below is a very short video of me cleaning a roof, using 2.5% SH. Can anyone honestly say, they believe that my 60 psi pump, which is strictly a delivery system [the 60psi pressure has no part in the cleaning and after traveling through 230' of hose and a gun, is more like 20psi] is blowing the SH up under the shingles or tile and causing damage? Most pressure washing only contractors, use a downstream of around 20% SH [ in actuality, 20% is really 2% in general. SH at a pool store runs 10% to 12% on average. It sits in big tanks, that are regularly topped off. The average % in those tanks, is probably 10% at best. [ according to my supplier] So, it's 90% water. If you put 25 gallons in a 100 gallon tank and fill it with water, you have a 2.5% SH mixture to apply.
I have seen some people, in past years, sort of complain, about revitalizing old posts. I don't understand why? In this case, for instance, I am asking RAC if anything has changed, since 2011. At that time, if you read the thread, you will see, that claims were made that roofing manufacturers accepted the RAC method, but, NO LINKS TO ANY OF THEM COULD BE POSTED-NOT 1. I'm wondering if that has changed, or if those "APPROVED" statements were and are still just words? My guess is, RAC will have nothing to say and if they do, it won't be by providing a link to prove their claims? Maybe I'm wrong? According to my wife, I always am! LOL Thanks for reading! Here's my short video of me cleaning a shingled roof:
https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=DPJOfv6DNSg



[2011 QUOTE=Chuck Bergman;251814]I just read all of the comments here. I am far from infallible, so please supply proof from the roofing manufacturers if I am wrong.

Anyone can "SAY" their products are safer, or approved by manufacturers, but not prove it. On the other hand, the manufacturers do say specifically what chemicals to use and how to apply them. I won't just talk, I will let you see for yourself. After you read what the manufacturers say and the Asphalt Roofing manufacturers say-yes, they have not changed their opinion in all these years. I believe their bulletin was last updated in 2007, still suggesting nothing but Chlorine and TSP. By all means, do more research yourself online, or maybe John from Roof-A-Cide can show us a link to a manufacturer that recommends the use of his product? Or tell us how his franchise guys clean the roofs before spraying on his product?

I'm quite sure Hoover Pressure Cleaning, a roof-a-cide franchise guy here locally, just does pressure washing, so that must be how he cleans a roof before spraying Roof-A-Cide on? Correct me if I am wrong though! { Side note: I started Hoover Pressure Cleaning in business maybe [not sure] 17 years ago? It now has new owners though. I started John Hoover going, sold him 2 used pressure washers and gave him a $3000.00 roof to clean at the Veranda Inn in Englewood,Fl }
I am open to correction-but not just with talk, with manufacturer statements we can all go to online. But talk is cheap and not proof.
Or, as to the methods of roof cleaning used, prior to applying Roof-A-Cide? I notice that John with Roof-A-Cide has not quite hit on that point? Also, my roofs remain clean aprox 4-5 years, using only roofing manufacturer [ provable ] chemicals. Roof-A-Cide only offers a 2 year warranty. What is the benefit of having workers on your roof 2 times - first to clean { With an unspecified by Roof-A-Cide method?? } and then again to spray the roof-a-cide on the roofing, only to have to have them back up there every 2 years?
If you look into it, you will see the reason all the new "Go Green" "Eco-Friendly" Roof-A-Cide folks have disagreements with those of us who only clean with Chlorine and TSP, is because their advertising is centered on putting down our manufacturer approved cleaning, as the only way they can promote their sales. Read all the ads by these people and you will see all the scare tactics and insults about using chlorine. Even lies, saying we spray 80-100% chlorine! has any idiot ever done that? No doubt, but it is grossly misrepresenting and misleading to consumers to suggest that. Could a Roof-A-Cide guy spray double coats etc of Roof-A-Cide? Or add chemicals to his mix that he thinks would enhance it? Of course, but he would not then be properly representing the company method. Same with some dummy spraying 80-100% chlorine. I have been cleaning roofs with chlorine since 1991 and never actually heard of anyone doing that, except I "HEARD" that some of Mallard's guys did it years ago and killed a bunch of plants. But, that's just the one time I have "heard" of it and can not say it is a fact. That kind of advertising starts wars, like the one going on right now between all the upstart "go green" Pray and Forget etc chemicals that take 3 months to a year to clean a roof [in my test of spray and forget, it never did clean a portion of my back roof. I would love to find a product, that was truly green and that you could find as suggested, along with chlorine, on the manufacturers websites! But they are not there.
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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 GAF 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, 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. { Note that they are suggesting up to 50% chlorine!}
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 says the same thing:

"USE CHLORINE and TSP" "DO NOT USE A PRESSURE WASHER"

Corning info in link below.
Click Link, Go to "Do I need a New Roof" Then to "Algae growth" and read what the manufacturer says.

http://webapps.easy2.com/cm2/flash/generic_index.asp?page_id=36077811[/QUOTE]
 
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