Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

Robert,

Welcome. Great group of guys and gals here. I just liked you facebook page and google+.

Hank

Welcome to the NSWA Robert

Thank you for the welcome guys! Look forward to sharing with you guys.

Thank you for your input. I have no issues with the way you, or others perform your cleaning. I just do not use bleach to clean roofs, and prefer other chemicals and protectants.

Diamond roof Cleaning wrote:

---

Robert I see on your website that you do not use S/H for roof cleaning. Also it say that you apply spray and forget. I just want to let you know that almost 100% of the contractors on here use S/H and it does not dry out the shingles.

---

 Mike if Robert way works for him then thats OK with NSWA. There is no rule here that a member has to use S/H to clean a roof and we don't need to get into debate on whats better. 

I wont debate but it looks like there is some power washing going on there.

Kingwood Pressure Washing takes pride in that our methods and operations of cleaning roofs are supported by ARMA (Asphalt Roofing Manufactures Association), and shingle manufactures like Owens Corning, GAF, and many others. The “Green” chemicals we use are plant and pet friendly and remove the growing fungus from the roots to insure that future fungus growth does not occur for years to come. We do not S/H roofs!! S/Hing a roof dries up your shingles and decreases the lifespan of your roof.

============================

Yikes!

You have been doing it all wrong and most likely, giving your customers sub-standard results. But you have come to the right place to be educated on how to clean asphalt shingles properly.

First off, please take a look at the ARMA Technical Bulletin that I have attached below. You may want to update your site because you do not want to look foolish after customers see your site ... than see this bulletin from the largest asphalt shingle manufacturer in North America.

Soft Washing should not be attempted by non-professionals or fly-by-nights because they damage shingles just like a commercial lawn care professionals spraying a pristine lawn to remove weeds can wipe out vegetation if he has no clue of what he is applying. Rob, I looked at your site and you are not cleaning roof shingles properly. Again, please do not take offense but read the bulletin below and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Ratios of SH will vary for different roof coverings whether it be asphalt, tile of metal and only a true professional knows what it takes to customize the Soft Wash cleaning solution for each individual project.

Also, could you please provide us documentation from ARMA, GAF and Owens Corning on any modification or new recommendations of how to clean asphalt shingles without the use of S/H or sodium hypochlorite (S/H)? 

I could not find any other methods posted on any of the major manufactures sites. Any and all information would be greatly appreciated.

 

ARMA-TECHNICAL-BULLETIN.pdf 

-- Edited by Capital Roof Wash on Saturday 14th of December 2013 06:37:00 AM

Diamond roof Cleaning wrote:

---

I wont debate but it looks like there is some power washing going on there.

---

 

Mike brings up a good point here. I'm probably going to look back at these posts down the road and realize what a dik I am but screw it. New guys are going to get a kick to the nuts and if they get back up and fight, they gain respect. (kiss the ring).

Here's a kick to the nether regions bro ... how do you apply your safe "green" soft wash solution without a surface cleaner on the asphalt shingles? (picture below is from your website)

 

http://www.kingwoodpressurewashing.com/photogallery.htm

 

-- Edited by Capital Roof Wash on Saturday 14th of December 2013 07:24:37 AM

-- Edited by Capital Roof Wash on Saturday 14th of December 2013 07:26:03 AM

Ray in the one picture it looks like a roof-gitter machine. Not so much a surface cleaner but more like a water broom- no matter what it still powered by a pressure washer. The best part is that he says he uses spray and forget.

To all the lovely people out there who are offended by my presence, again, I greatly apologize if my presence on this website disrupts your lives, your business, and hurts your well being. There may be some errors on my website, and my methods of cleaning a roof according to some people. When talking about S/H. I do use a Sodium Hydroxide based chemical application, I just don't use S/H normally. There are times I do use S/H, and a S/H rig to clean tile roofs. It just depends on the job. I do use a machine that is operated by a pressure washer called a pitch witch. This machine puts out little pressure when activated...so much so, that you can place your hand in front of it without any harm. This is to rinse off the dead mold, mildew, ect. I guess you do not consider this soft washing, and for that I apologize and will be glad to leave this website if that is what the majority of you would like.
I did not come to this website to fight, argue, and bicker like a child. I came on this website to learn, and grow with other companies like mine in the industry. I'm sorry that some of you act like a high school bully when someone new comes around that doesn't perform cleaning the exact way that you do. I pray for you, and hope that one day god will change you, and the way you act towards other people.

I am curious though why there is an issue with using spray and forget after cleaning a roof?

Robert,

the main reason I think everyone got hot and heavy is because we mostly sell the fact that we do not even use a pressure washer at all the clean a roof. all shingle manufacturers state in their tech data sheets that anything over 150 psi will void any and all granule adhesion warranties. And it is very hard to get a pw down that low, but it is possible. Also, we use Sodium Hypochlorite for our mixes, hence SH. When you ask why not spray and forget... Because we sell our services that your streaks will be gone by the time we get off your roof, not in months. A lot of us here make our living by selling our services and company, and have tremendous passion for what we do. Once again, your way is your way, but some of us are just trying to educate and share methods that work. 

I only use Spray and Forget after I have cleaned a roof as a protectant. I do not believe that the pitch witch I use gets above 150 psi. I could be wrong. I'm not sure if there is a way to test it. I do feel that it is about the same as putting your thumb over the end of a garden hose to rinse down the roof.
In many cases I do use the chemical only method to clean roofs, and I am leaning to this method more than not...one of the reasons I joined this website, and am looking up more information to be perfect at this procedure. I will be happy to remove certain phrases from my website if you like guys. Again, I am not here to hurt anyone's business, argue, fight, or disrespect anyone in any way.

Robert,

Please stick around. You'll find that everyone here is honest and will be happy to point you in the right direction when it comes to chemical usage, equipment and marketing. Like you we all are very passionate about our businesses and want to see you succeed. Perhaps there are things we can learn from you as well. As Mike pointed out there is a higher profit margin when using sodium hypochlorite to clean roofs and exterior surfaces.

We all network with each other and members here have generated leads for me. Some of those came from areas as far away as Florida and others from members here in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.

If you ever have any question don't hesitate to reach out to us here or just pick up the phone and call. Heck we are getting 10 inches of snow this weekend up here so I'm bored. I'd love to talk shop. That goes for any other member as well.

Hank 

-- Edited by waxman18324 on Saturday 14th of December 2013 11:00:24 AM

Kingwood Pressure Washing wrote:

---

" When talking about S/H. I do use a Sodium Hydroxide based chemical application, I just don't use S/H normally."

---

 When you see SH mentioned here and on other roof cleaning sites,..it stands for Sodium Hypochlorite,..not hydroxide.  Not sure if you made a mistake or not. But I do know there are hydroxide based roof cleaners out there, (or at least used to be),.... Hydroxide will not give rinse free results,..but it's biggest drawback is it's a degreaser,..so obviously spraying it onto an asphalt shingled roof is not a good idea. 

Jeff