Preventing Mildew from coming back

Steven Button

Steven Button

Administrator
Hey guys

I've got a lead with an HOA about cleaning some shingle roofs - they have a little bit of knowledge about soft washing and were wondering about treating some of their roofs with a mildew-cide or algaecide... in fact, they are really keen on doing this. Is it worthwhile?

Can anyone give me some information on whether it is necessary to apply something like this after a proper roof clean... or will the 'sauce' or chlorine based equivalent be enough to prevent growth for 2-3 years?

What is your experience with required frequency of cleaning after an initial wash.

I am looking for some information that I can provide to educate them, and so that I can close the sale.

I am just getting started on the search for more info, but thought I would post the Question first.

Appreciate any advice and information from you 'roof gurus'... thanks:D
 
I tend to think that the sauce is enough to ward off the growth for at least 3 yrs. I've got some tile and shingle roofs tat I've done over 2 yrs ago that still look fantastic. JMO----May want to check with Chris though. Depends on the area sometimes, surrounding tree lines, and of course the enviroment. Could be a dry year, could be a moist yr. Factors to consider! :)
 
thanks larry

I think you're right with regard to the environment affecting the longevity of the clean - was just wondering if there was an 'accepted' length of time that could be expected for a roof to remain 'clean'.

Is it necessary to upsell a mildewcide or algaecide type of treatment - or just a waste of time. Don't want to try and sell something that isn't necessary, and I know the question of chlorine vs. mildewcides has been flogged to death, but is there a market for selling a preventative treatment or is the initial clean enough? ....

... how are the boots working out for you larry? still got sore feet? lol! :)
 
This is what im trying to do:

Explain to them that this is an air born spore and will re-attach to the roof if there are other dirty roofs in the area. Tell them that the spore is clear at first and by the time the black streaks show up the entire roof is infected. This is sorta like the termite guy. You can't see the damage till its too late. Book them for an initial cleaning at full price and schedule them for a yearly maintenance application for 40% of initial cost. This will snow ball and just think @ ten a year which i think is a very reasonable number in 5 yeas you will have 50 roofs to just touch up with a weaker mix and not nearly as much time. This is just a lil idea i figured i would share with you guys. Also another good thing is that if you are there year after year then they will be giving referrals year after year. Thy won't forget you!
 
hey DJ

how's business? thanks for the pointers.

You make a good point about selling a maintenance package - makes sense. I'll need to feel this one out though, it's a 55+ community and I get the impression that they want a one time clean to last... we'll see though when I meet with them. Get the salesman hat on and work up some magic!! :)

Your right about the 'snowball' work, I am already seeing it work on a small scale with doing work in residential communities - I've not been chasing this work (more commercial) but it seems to be landing at my feet so I'm not going to complain!!!

Hope things are going well for you buddy!
 
DJ made a great point, yearly service is best.
Larry said he has seen roofs last 3 years, so have I.
But I have also seen em dirty in as little as a year and a 1/2.
Even worse under trees.
Here is what I would do, use Borax in your mix.'
IOW, use regualar Apple Sauce
 
Scrappy said:
This is what im trying to do:

Explain to them that this is an air born spore and will re-attach to the roof if there are other dirty roofs in the area. Tell them that the spore is clear at first and by the time the black streaks show up the entire roof is infected. This is sorta like the termite guy. You can't see the damage till its too late. Book them for an initial cleaning at full price and schedule them for a yearly maintenance application for 40% of initial cost. This will snow ball and just think @ ten a year which i think is a very reasonable number in 5 yeas you will have 50 roofs to just touch up with a weaker mix and not nearly as much time. This is just a lil idea i figured i would share with you guys. Also another good thing is that if you are there year after year then they will be giving referrals year after year. Thy won't forget you!
Click to expand...

Maintenance packages are great! We don't do roofs, but we do a lot of outdoor natural stone cleaning and sealing. We communicate to the customer that a restoration clean or sealant is only as good as the maintenance program.

Very good point too about your customers seeing you every year. They will always be reminded of your great service and give you more referrals or have you do more work for them.
 
Steven Button said:
hey DJ

how's business? thanks for the pointers.

You make a good point about selling a maintenance package - makes sense. I'll need to feel this one out though, it's a 55+ community and I get the impression that they want a one time clean to last... we'll see though when I meet with them. Get the salesman hat on and work up some magic!! :)

Your right about the 'snowball' work, I am already seeing it work on a small scale with doing work in residential communities - I've not been chasing this work (more commercial) but it seems to be landing at my feet so I'm not going to complain!!!

Hope things are going well for you buddy!
Click to expand...

I'm gonna give you the line to seal the deal . . . .


ready ????


When they say "we want a one time fix"

"sir let me ask you this does waxing your car make it shine for ever? Does eating once keep you full? Does spraying for dandelion one time make them never come back? The same logic applies here sir. I am one of the only companies offering a maintenence package AND AT A DISCOUNTED PRICE !!!!!

so when can we start and i just need a sig here please."



Okay the last line may be lil much i was on a roll lol :D

But roof cleaning is not something you see every day (at least not around here anyways) So you have to make a real world analogy. I love analogies they break through to the customer so well. You have to remember they do not know what we do (even i sometimes forget that!)
 
I like those annalogies DJ. I think I'm gonna add them to my list. I don't have to pay or anything do I? LOL

Steve, Thank you for your concern for my feet. :eek: They are doing good. LOL. Been doing alot of roofs lately so I'm not killing them on concrete for hrs at a time.
 
"Sir, can you see where a yearly spray plan will keep your roof clean .and save you money in the long run"
Good, now give me yo money biotch, cause this G needs to get his Paper :D
 
Scrappy said:
This is what im trying to do:

Explain to them that this is an air born spore and will re-attach to the roof if there are other dirty roofs in the area. Tell them that the spore is clear at first and by the time the black streaks show up the entire roof is infected. This is sorta like the termite guy. You can't see the damage till its too late. Book them for an initial cleaning at full price and schedule them for a yearly maintenance application for 40% of initial cost. This will snow ball and just think @ ten a year which i think is a very reasonable number in 5 yeas you will have 50 roofs to just touch up with a weaker mix and not nearly as much time. This is just a lil idea i figured i would share with you guys. Also another good thing is that if you are there year after year then they will be giving referrals year after year. Thy won't forget you!
Click to expand...

I talked to a window cleaner here in Houston a while back about a roof he needed cleaned for a customer, and we got to talking and I asked him how he advertised. He then told me that he doesnt, and hasnt in like 5 years, except for his trailer/truck signs, AND he was booked up for over 6 months solid. he said that every year when he goes back for yearly maintenace, he makes the customer put down 25% for the next year, which ensures their business, and gives him more working capital right now....

seemed like a good plan. I've tried it, but unsuccesfully thus far.:eek:
 
Ok, sales "secret" time guys :)
Ask your customers if they know what a Dandelion is, and how it spreads by airborne spores ?
Then, TELL them the truth, that other dirty roofs are a DANGER to them, and can make their roof dirty !!!

Up selling goes like this "Mr Customer, did you know that black chit on your driveway is the SAME plant that was on your Roof :eek:
If we don't kill and remove it, how do you expect your roof to stay clean ?
 
How bout sending him (your customer) around to his neighbors and selling your service to clean there roofs maybe he will be able to convince the whole neighborhood to sign up .:cool:

Apple Roof Cleaning said:
Ok, sales "secret" time guys :)
Ask your customers if they know what a Dandelion is, and how it spreads by airborne spores ?
Then, TELL them the truth, that other dirty roofs are a DANGER to them, and can make their roof dirty !!!

Up selling goes like this "Mr Customer, did you know that black chit on your driveway is the SAME plant that was on your Roof :eek:
If we don't kill and remove it, how do you expect your roof to stay clean ?
Click to expand...
 
Scott D. said:
I talked to a window cleaner here in Houston a while back about a roof he needed cleaned for a customer, and we got to talking and I asked him how he advertised. He then told me that he doesnt, and hasnt in like 5 years, except for his trailer/truck signs, AND he was booked up for over 6 months solid. he said that every year when he goes back for yearly maintenace, he makes the customer put down 25% for the next year, which ensures their business, and gives him more working capital right now....

seemed like a good plan. I've tried it, but unsuccesfully thus far.:eek:
Click to expand...

I can't see how you could get a lot of people to do that. If he does though, he has truly built a business full of great clients. We book customers for their follow up clean right then and there for 1,3, or 6 months in advance. It's kind of like how the dentist does it!

I have a friend in the Organic Fertilization business. He is in such demand that he bills his customers for the following month all at once before he has even done the work! He puts a service date on the bill that is the date he plans to be there to spray. That way if he doesn't get a check in advance, he doesn't spray the yard and drops the customer. He has a huge stack of customers on the waiting list.
 
Ron Musgraves said:
Doesn't AC have something to prevent it?
Click to expand...
He probably does. There are several things that will work, for awhile. Borax is one of them, as are the liquid algaecides.
 
Ron Musgraves said:
does the Rcia Advocate either?
Click to expand...
We choose to leave it up to the individual contractor what, if ANY, algaecide they use or not use to keep a roof cleaner longer.
Some contractors feel the roofs stay clean long enough, w/o adding anything extra to the initial cleaning.
 
DJ Carroll said:
This is what im trying to do:

Explain to them that this is an air born spore and will re-attach to the roof if there are other dirty roofs in the area. Tell them that the spore is clear at first and by the time the black streaks show up the entire roof is infected. This is sorta like the termite guy. You can't see the damage till its too late. Book them for an initial cleaning at full price and schedule them for a yearly maintenance application for 40% of initial cost. This will snow ball and just think @ ten a year which i think is a very reasonable number in 5 yeas you will have 50 roofs to just touch up with a weaker mix and not nearly as much time. This is just a lil idea i figured i would share with you guys. Also another good thing is that if you are there year after year then they will be giving referrals year after year. Thy won't forget you!
Click to expand...
Couldnt said it better myself!
 
Mallard and Terra still give a 5 year warranty on roof cleanings. The SoftWash Systems products work similar. We allow soft wash professionals to carry our SoftWash Systems 5 Year, Spot-Free Warranty logo if they complete our training and use our equipment and chemicals. Our chemicals are COMPLETELY BIODEGRADABLE and break down into carbon and water within 10 days.

AC
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top