Help!! New Jersey Roof Cleaning.

S

S.J. power washing

New member
Boy O Boy, Well I been pressure washing for some time and just started the low pressure roof cleaning. I did my research and checked all the posts on this site back to 2005 on roof cleaning. I hate asking questions like if I'am some dummy or wasting someone elses valuble time but Brotha I need some help.I bought all my equipment from BoB at P.T. and whatever else was recommened.My mix was 1 gallon of 12.5 to 3 gal. H2o and the simple cherry. The roof had mild black stains here and there on a very light color roof.The delvan applied good and I let sit for 15 min,Then rinsed with garden hose and all I took off was the cloudy marks and the dark streaks stayed. Reapplied and same deal no different.House was about 1200 Sq.Ft and I wasn't satisfied with job because of streaks still visiable. Also my partner which is a owner of a roofing company wasn't satisfied and he already has me lined up with work Whoops..LOL. If anybody could shed some light on my situation I would kiss there A**. One other thing was mentioned to me from my partner maybe the roof is to old and I said no way because I watched every video I could find on the internet from all the best companies and they clean everthing with low pressure, I love this setup if I don't get it going ASAP then I'am losing the jobs that are lined up for me..Thanks guys, Bryan.
 
Here is the problem, you got some weak/bad 12.5
You made up a 33 percent solution, and if the 12.5 percent was good, it should have cleaned.
The mix works better in the direct sun, and when it is warm out.
Grey, silver, light blue/gray roofs need a bit more dwell time sometimes.
Buy from another place, or make SURE this batch is good.
 
So it is common to recieve weak 12.5 from a supplier, and I got four 5 gallon drums but used two today on that one roof. Oh and could I have screwed up mixing it all together, Thanks.
 
I also had the garden hose with a 1/4 inch valve on the end for a little more pressure and the only way it really made a difference was at close range, maybe 2 to 3 feet away. At this range I kept thinking in my mind what and the world am I gone to do on a high roof with a pitch I can't walk on. Hopfully the batch is bad or the sun comes out next time or something. I looked at my 13 Hp honda like 10 times and kept telling myself no this will work I know it will. LOL
 
Chris is the expert here but IMO you used way to much water. How much roof are you trying to clean with a 4gal total mix? Is this a shed? LOl
I normally always do a minimum of 50/50 and use aprox 60-70 oz of Dawn dish soap in the mix. I never have a problem. Normaly when I'm doing a roof my tank is at about 90-100 gallons. Y'all must have some small houses! LOL:D
 
Hey larry, if you know anybody that can clean a 1200Sq ft house with 4 gallons, LET US ALL KNOW. I said my mix was 1 gallon of 12.5 to 3 gallons of water . Not total 4 gallons for 1200 Sq Ft , thanks for your no good info anyways. This is why I don't post because of people like you who need more work to keep busy..
 
S.J. power washing said:
Hey larry, if you know anybody that can clean a 1200Sq ft house with 4 gallons, LET US ALL KNOW. I said my mix was 1 gallon of 12.5 to 3 gallons of water . Not total 4 gallons for 1200 Sq Ft , thanks for your no good info anyways. This is why I don't post because of people like you who need more work to keep busy..
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Bryan,
When I read your original post I saw what Larry saw and wondered how the heck you were doing a roof with just 4 gallons.You did not specify the actual amout you mixed other than 1 gallon of shc to 3 gallons water.
I would agree that the shc was weak or the mix was not strong enough from the start.

Please check your attitude at the door.Larry was trying to offer some insight no need to shoot the messenger.
 
Never ever said a total amount in any of the posts, only said the mix I was using for others to comment on. Didn't know you all needed to know how much i spent on the job...Thanks again
 
WoW! Rip my head off for reading wrong. SOOOO sorry I missed the word TO. My bad! I really thought you meant a total of 4 gals. My mistake. Hey don't let the little things bother you so much. All ya had to say is that I must have read it wrong. Instead of everyone else trying to get along with you, maybe you should try to get along with everyone else. If you noticed I was joking about it all. Ya know the 2 LOL'S. What the heck is me needing more work to keep busy all about? Isn't having more work the way we stay busy?
 
You're doing great Bryan. Bite the hands that are trying to help feed you. But really, lighten up. Dont ask for help if your not willing to give up a little info.

Your Sh was weak. And stop "looking" at your "13 hp honda" for help. That will only cause you more trouble.
 
hey guys, no offense and im not taking sides, but Kepler did say he used 10 gal of 12.5% mixed at a 1:3 ratio.

"and I got four 5 gallon drums but used two today on that one roof."

But yea, guys need to be nice, esp us new guys. This is THE place to watch and learn from the pros! no need snapping at ppl, no matter the reason.
 
25% solution is on the weak side. Couple that with a possibility of weak 12% to start with and this will be very week. I have gotten to the point os just mixing 60/40 water/12% just to be safe. Sounds like it was your first roof anyhow and it will take a couple times to get the hang of it. Stay away from that Pressure washer. IMO, Nothing professional about a pressure washer on a shingled roof.

As for not busy enough.... I despise being busy. I would rather be profitable. I work probably 1/4th of the time most guys do but still make as much or more money. Sell at a premium and have time to come on here to make silly posts. LOL Or ride my Road King. Anyhow, F*&% being busy.
 
Mike I agree with you on the 60/40 I abandoned the 1/3 along time ago, as long as you are careful and have a good ground man to take care of the ground below it is no problem

Also if the mix were good like Chris said, your rinse would be easy and there should be nothing to rinse but the soap

Dont get me wrong I like Bob and I am not talking about him but I would abandon the Simple Cherry and go with TSP , I personally believe it is much better for cleaning roofs

PS..... You need a good soap as well some use 20 MULE TEAM BORAX, I dont but it can be found at Wal Mart
 
Guys, really didn't mean to get snappy with anybody on hear so i do appolgize and it won't happen again. I also see 90% of the posts and replies very proffesional and helpful and i didn't expect the joking around for my first post. Larry sorry for taking your reply to serious and snapping and for the rest of you guys with the ongoing input, I thank you very much because it is needed being a new guy..
 
I use a 60/40 mix with fresh 12.5%, and Simple cherry. I just switched over to the Simple Cherry, and havent decided if I like it yet or not. the upside is that it dissolves better than TSP, so you dont have clumping issues. The downside is that I dont know if it cleans as well. I def. dont like it as a surfactant. However, it does work. If you switch over to TSP, you can use Borax or dawn for your soap and cut you runnoff almost to nothing. I still use TSP for concrete non sealed tile roofs;
 
S.J. power washing said:
Guys, really didn't mean to get snappy with anybody on hear so i do appolgize and it won't happen again. I also see 90% of the posts and replies very proffesional and helpful and i didn't expect the joking around for my first post. Larry sorry for taking your reply to serious and snapping and for the rest of you guys with the ongoing input, I thank you very much because it is needed being a new guy..
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Not a problem at all! I tend to read too fast late at night when I'm real tired and should be in bed... After reading your post 9 times, LOL I realized I missread just about everything. OOOPS. Sorry! My fault. We really are all here to help and to learn. None of us is above that! (learning) Again my appologies for reading it all wrong. As for you getting snappy,,,, Hey I grew up in Rhode Island. Everyone was snappy there. My family is still there and they are snappy too! LOL. Best of luck!
Larry :)
 
Russ Spence said:
Mike I agree with you on the 60/40 I abandoned the 1/3 along time ago, as long as you are careful and have a good ground man to take care of the ground below it is no problem

Also if the mix were good like Chris said, your rinse would be easy and there should be nothing to rinse but the soap

Dont get me wrong I like Bob and I am not talking about him but I would abandon the Simple Cherry and go with TSP , I personally believe it is much better for cleaning roofs

PS..... You need a good soap as well some use 20 MULE TEAM BORAX, I dont but it can be found at Wal Mart
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I agree with a lot of what Russ said.
Our Chemical here in Florida is RED HOT, so 33 percent works fine.
Ni "sin" in going to 40 percent, just have a good ground man, pre wet or tarp, and water like hell, and water again.

As for the Simple Cherry, I think it has it's place.
But it is not as strong as TSP.
It breaks down, smells nice, and don't create additional problems.

Envirospec is sending me some of their new stuff for testing.
 
Thanks guys for all your help, I'll get back to everyone as soon as I get the mix right and still want to buy my 12% from another guy just to make sure its ok.
 
Scott D. said:
I use a 60/40 mix with fresh 12.5%, and Simple cherry. I just switched over to the Simple Cherry, and havent decided if I like it yet or not. the upside is that it dissolves better than TSP, so you dont have clumping issues. The downside is that I dont know if it cleans as well. I def. dont like it as a surfactant. However, it does work. If you switch over to TSP, you can use Borax or dawn for your soap and cut you runnoff almost to nothing. I still use TSP for concrete non sealed tile roofs;
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I thought I was the only one! I have also been somewhat dissapointed in the surfacant qualities of Simple Cherry. In my experience, Dawn is quite a bit better. I usually only add the TSP on tile roofs. In Houston we get a HOT chlorine mix, and 35-40% has been good for everything so far.
 
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