NO BLEACH roof cleaning? Help!!

innovativewash

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We have a few companies in our area promoting NO BLEACH roof cleaning. The shampoo guys. We are getting calls to estimate roof cleaning but the owners want to make sure we are not using bleach or Sodium Hipochlorite!!! I tried to educate the customers but I am having a much harder time. This could get ugly for our roof cleaning business. Is there an actual document stating the roof manufacturers call for Sodium Hipochlorite to clean a asphalt shingle roof in dilution that I can print out and show the customers??
 
Thanks Russ! I owe ya one.
 
Jim,
I keep that bulletin in my briefcase and hand it out to customers who have been given the "bs" that some are telling out there. It makes them realize that they have been lied to, that document is gold in a sense as the company that made their roof shingle recommends that it be cleaned as listed in that bulletin. It is hard to "bs" around that one. It is something to back up the honest approach as well and I know it has sold jobs in the past.
 
To date I have not heard or seen a product other than sodium hypochlorite that can clean a roof instantly. Most other roof cleaners need pressure which is very bad for roofs or they need weeks or months to work and those products contain caustics and or degreasers, also not good for roofs. I know if I paid someone hundreds of dollars to clean my roof I am not gonna pay them till it's clean.
 
I use to have a competitor who advertised "No Damaging Chlorine" Then I snapped this picture.............................never lost a job to them again.

AC
 

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I read the same info on their website. They also pre-emptively strike down the ARMA bulletin and say that its outdated. I will not honor them by providing their link, but heres is a piece of their "Roof Cleaning Science" page. (pffff...Science?)

If you research roof cleaning on the Internet, you will encounter claims, counter-claims, arguments and outright confusing and conflicting information among the different roof cleaning camps. There are those who make the argument that ARMA, [FONT=verdana,geneva]in its 2007 Technical Bulletin[/FONT][FONT=verdana,geneva] recommends the use of bleach to attempt to tackle the roof algae problem. The bulletin does not however, comment on the impact of bleach on your landscaping, or its toxic fumes, or that it voids many termite treatment warranties. In addition, the bulletin states quite specifically when referring to roof cleaning with bleach that "The effectiveness of such cleaning techniques are only temporary, and discoloration will likely recur." [/FONT]

[FONT=verdana,geneva]An important point to make here is that many improvements have been made in the roof cleaning industry since that 2007 Bulletin was published, including the introduction of the eco-friendly Roof Shampoo® roof cleaning process which debuted in 2008.[/FONT]
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I am thinking that all it would take is contact the roof manufacturers and have them update the date on all their reports then print out the updated reports.

Then you have reports that are current and show what is recommended to clean roofs.

Since the roof fungus is an spore and travels in the air, it can land on a roof that has been cleaned and start growing.

Unless the roof shampoo gives an unlimited lifetime guarantee without any type of maintenance then their product will have to be applied when the roof fungus is back just like any other cleaning method out there.

I would tell the customers to not believe everything that they see on the internet and show them pictures of some of your work, explain your process and talk about your guarantee/program that you have.

Documents in hand along with pictures of proof of your work will give you a good amount of credibility when dealing with customers.

Explain to the customers that since the ARMA bulletin states specific chemicals to clean the roofs and does not state roof scampoo or any other brands of lesser-quality cleaners that will require medium to high pressure to clean after application of their chemicals, it is obvious that you have their best interest in mind and the ARMA and other bulletins are there to protect the customer against the internet scams and hacks out there trying to rip them off.

If the ARMA and other bulletins do not recommend any cleaners then they are probably not only safe for the roof, will probably void the roof warranty, not do a good job cleaning without the use of pressure or very hard rains whenever/if they happen to do a partial cleaning when they are paying for an immediate and thorough cleaning.
 
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
 
Tell them you are using Sodium hypochlorite and not hipochlorite.
Sorry about the spelling. Its been a long weekend!
:winknudge:
 
I just got a call from them informing me that a picture on Merchant Circle titled roofshampoo.jpg was a copyright violation.
I thanked her for reminding me that was the title, since I wouldn't want anyone mistakenly thinking I was affiliated with them in any way.
 
I just got a call from them informing me that a picture on Merchant Circle titled roofshampoo.jpg was a copyright violation.
I thanked her for reminding me that was the title, since I wouldn't want anyone mistakenly thinking I was affiliated with them in any way.

LOL They really need to get their head out of their ...... (insert orifice here)

Copyright does not protect a name. Unless that is, you stole their photo and forgot to change the file name.... LOL

Technicalities I know, but you could have some fun with them.... LOL
 
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