recent roof cleaning

A

aveliju

Member
Today I did my first roof cleaning.The roof had a pretty bad pitch. It had black algae streaks and some moss spots on it.I did some research on the past roof cleaning posts.
It was a windy day and the solution was drying pretty quick. Im located in New England CT. I know there are some pretty good roof cleaning chemicals but I could not order any in time so I went with bleach recipe. 4 gl of bleach 1/2 lb TSP and 1 cup of dawn.
Sprayed it on with my x-jet and let it dwell for about 1/2 hr. It did absolutetly nothing to the black streaks and the few spots of moss did not even budge. I rinsed the heck out of it and did not do anything again. The lady said another company did the other side a couple of years ago and said that they brushed the heck out of it walking on the roof thats why she never called them back again. I dont know how they walked on that roof with a bad angle. I got on top of the ladder and started to brush and it did look a little better. I told her I would come back sometime next weak and try a different method, she didnt seem to mind. Any way i did not know how hard it is to clean a roof after all, definately need some more practice and knowlegde. Ive read many roof cleaners spray let dwell then rinse the roof but I just cant see this happening without a waterbroom or a pitchwitch. Any way what went wrong with my solution should I have just sprayed it straight?And what do you guys think I can try next time. I definately want to get this roof cleaned for her I hate to start a job and not finish. I even got her on sealing her roof. Can anyone reccomend a good cleaner I heard Renew is good stuff but has anyone heard of Shingle Shield and Shingle Care are they any good? Im all open ears on this one. any responce will be great. ADAM
 
The only thing I've seen work is 12% bleach on a sunny day. Two - four applicatoins. You need the sun to help breadown the bacteria. Rinse/cover at run off areas.
I personally can't stand bleach, but is the only thing I can find that works without brusing or pressure washing the shingles (which we won't do).

Good Luck

Mike
 
Roof Cleaning

I use Exteriors house wash. I always put it on straight (roofs) and had to use some pressure to get off what I was washing. I did one roof that was growing a beard, It did a great job killing the mold and was easy to get off once it was dead. The only thing is you have to be close with your pressure source.
 
Roof cleaning

Adam: Ive cleaned quite a few roofs in the Central Florida area,Ive found that (1) you must use at least a 10% liquid chlorine (like from a pool supply store)its available in 10% and 12% strength, cut the chlorine with water, add some dawn as a surfactant. Your mixture should be anywhere from 30 to 50% strength. I mix up 65 gallons at a time, I only use approx 1/2 cup of dawn in the mix.(2) TSP is great but I find it makes the roof a little slippery. I apply the solution with a shurflo 3.5 gpm 12 volt pump . I have 200ft of 1/2 in reinforced hose with a pvc wand with a trigger valve.(3) Keep in mind that the higher the percentage of chlorine the more likely vegetation will be damaged ,unless you water the gompers outta the plants , before, during and after you clean, or cover the plants with tarps,preferable blue tarps, If you use clear plastic, your gonna cook the plants. I dont have a pitch witch or an xjet, Ive never used either one and I cant find 4 people that agree on there value or effectiveness, I figure, If I cant walk it, then I dont need to clean it(4) Older roofs sometimes have loose granules, BE CAREFUL !!! All I clean is single story ,asphalt shingled ,walkable roofs. (5) dont rinse, let mother nature wash it off(6) Never use a pressure washer on an asphalt shingle roof,It will show the homeowner leaks he never would have had.(7) It rains harder than my roof setup applies chemicals. I clean asphalt shingle roofs exactly as recommended by The American Asphalt Shingle Manufacturers Association. Adam , When I first got into this business the first roof I cleaned was my own, and I learned alot, I killed all the plants around the house, but they were mine!(8) Make sure your throughly rinse out your pump when your done with the roof, even if your going to another roof at the next job, chlorine will absolutely destroy your pump, trailer, clothing and you! if its not handled correctly, Be careful and be safe.......Mike Gleeson @ Mike Gleeson Pressure Washing:)
 
Mike, what pressure sureflo do you use, and do you spray it on from the ground? Would like a 3.5 gpm at 100 - 150 psi, but can't find. Perhaps I don't need?
 
Mike, Give Glenn at Ace Cleaning a call and I am sure he will give you a long list of people that are happy with the Pitchwitch and the X-Jet. This is the system I use an it works well for me. It was my idea to use the x-jet on roofs and it works very well.
 
As Steve stated: Call Glenn at ACE. They have a roof cleaner that will take care of your problem. You'll love it.

Also, Can not go wrong with PitchWitch!
 
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