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Power Washing, Roof Cleaning -> National Softwash Alliance -> General Discussions and Conversations -> New to roof cleaning
Post Info TOPIC: New to roof cleaning
Curb Appeal Portland


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New to roof cleaning
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Hello and thanks in advance to everyone who takes their time to provide feedback.  I am starting a roof cleaning business with my brother in Oregon and was wondering if there is a specific spot or thread in this group that I should look to for some of the basic knowledge.  I am also interested in some training as well.  My brother worked for a roof cleaning business years ago, so he knows some basics, but we could use some advice.  Some of the questions are:

1) A general use SH mix for treating moss.  The SH I have found in my area is 12.5% and runs about $60 per 5 gallon.  I see some     people talking about Dragon Grip.  Is that product added to an SH+soap+water mix or does it take the place of one of the 3 ingredients?

2) How do you calculate the batch needed based on the roof sqft?

3) What roofing or home materials should not come in contact with SH?  Is there a cleaning mix that is safe for all home materials?

 

I have many more questions, but I will leave it at that for now.

Again, Thanks in advance for everyone's time

 

Albert 



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Curb Appeal Portland

Albert
waxman18324


Founding Member Rest in Peace

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Many of the answers to your questions are here already. You'll need to invest in yourself by doing reading. taking notes, watching videos on line, knowing your market, having a website and possibly a facebook page for your business.

Shop around for a better price on SH. That quoted price is way to high. I pay $2.42 (and that is somewhat high) a gallon and it's delivered right to my shop in bulk.

Now you live in Oregon. Plenty of moisture up there. Try a neighbors, friend or family roof to get started. Try various mixtures. Starting with a 50/50 mix(and then go lower) and some dish washing liquid for a surfactant (1/2 oz per gallon of roof mix to start). Mix detergents to water and not the other way around. Forget about dragon grip for now. Be patient with the detergents.

You ask about batches. If you have the amount of moss up there like I think it is you will have to figure that out on your own. Keep in mind the outside temperature, pitch of roof and shade will play a factor in coverage rate. More is not always better.

You must use safety equipment like ladders with standoffs, gloves, masks, safety cones, caution tape, etc.

Water everything down until you've gain experience. No if, and or buts about that.

One more thing... read, read, and do some more reading/research. Documented it all for future reference. You'll need to properly train others one day.

Hank

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Serving the Pocono and Lehigh Valley(Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, Pike and Wayne Counties), PA community as well as both Warren and Sussex Counties of New Jersey
Art O


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Welcome to NSWA

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Curb Appeal Portland


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Hank,

Thank you for the information. I will continue to do my research for sure. I found Doug Rucker's web school and will be getting involved in that as soon as possible.

Albert

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Curb Appeal Portland

Albert
BlueRidge


Approved Exterior Cleaner

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Welcome Albert. Hank pretty much covered it. I'll ditto his remark, you don't need dragon grip. Many of us use laundry soap, dish soap or other surfactants available locally without shipping. The soaps might be affordable but the shipping is a killer, especially just starting.

If you need a school to help fast track things then get in to one but all of this can be done by reading and watching a few videos.

As to moss, it's a good idea to get as much off that will come of with low pressure.



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Brett Thompson

Blue Ridge Exterior Cleaning

BlueRidgeExteriorCleaning.com

434-466-1324    540-949-6277

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Liberty SoftWash


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Welcome, We use Dragon grip as a soap and per it is less then 3.00 a house to use. But to each his own.

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Eric Seitz

Liberty SoftWash

(717) 324-4208

Roof Cleaner near York PA

Pressure Washer PA

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Doug Rucker


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Welcome to NSWA Albert...if you have any questions about my school feel free to text or call me at 2818833630...in the meantime this forum has, in my opinion the best group of experienced soft wash cleaning professionals around.  Lots of great info here. You can go to the home page and see all the different categories and just start clicking on the ones that you think will be most helpful, and read, read, read....



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Awesome Houston Texas Pressure Washing Services

 http://www.youtube.com/c/PressureCleaningSch
John Aloisio


Approved Exterior Cleaner

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Welcome to the NSWA!!



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