Roof Cleaning Certification Test Questions ?

[Apple Roof Cleaning]

Roof Cleaning Certification Test Questions ?
Myself, and several others are working on test questions for RCIA roof cleaning certifification.
There has been some discussion as to a written vs a verbal test.
I am from the "keep it simple" school of thought.
How do you guys FEEL about a verbal vs a written test ?
I, and several other experienced roof cleaners feel we can tell by talking with someone IF they can clean a roof, or not ?
What do YOU think ?

[DocAllbright]

Written. I think it would give it more validity.

[Apple Roof Cleaning]

What is to stop someone from seeking answers from their friends ?
Verbal, they are one on one with me, or other examiners, hard to fool us.
Unless they have us on speakerphone, LOL

[Roof Clean USA]

In my HUMBLE opinion, a written test will work out better with a multiple answer format.

My opinion is the Written test should also be password protected and be backed with an encryption lock so that the answers and the test can be controlled and no CHEAT SHEETS can be easily made or distributed.

I believe that some of the areas of coverage should consist of:

1. Aptitude- Do you know how to measure roof pitch? Do you or do you NOT use 3000 psi and a ZERO degree tip to clean a asphalt shingle roof? etc.

2. Right Equipment- What are the proper ways to couple two pieces of AG hose, what pumps, hoses, what flow rates, tip sizing

3. Fall Protection- What to use and why

4. Chemicals -Descibing what the main chemicals do and how to use them properly and why and in what scenarios
and what CHEMICALS to NOT mix together and why

5. Roll Out and Roll Up- Proper proceedures

6. Landscape and Foliage Protection-

What to protect and Why?

When to tarp and when NOT to?

What not to cover with tarps. Why spray clear water on plants before starting a job. When NOT to and WHY.

7. Runoff- What do do with excess unused chemical. Proper disposal techniques.

8. Licensing- Why be licensed and insured? Why is it important to obtain a business license? The pitfalls of "SHORTCUTS"

9. Basic Safety Equipment- Why use a Fall Protection System? What is a Fall Protection System? Do you have a CPR and First Aid Certification? Why is this important? Do you have the proper footwear? Eye protection. Hearing protection? What type of clothing to wear? What not to wear and why.

10.OSHA Guidelines- What is a MSDS? Why should you carry one for chemicals onboard your rig? Who may ask for them? Why must you comply? Various laws on chemical storage, labeling, handling, etc.

Just like a "real" test in a college or at the Motor Vehicles Division when getting your Drivers license. Lets make this test professional and THE STANDARD by which "OTHERS" will follow.

Better to put in the time now to get it right then bring it to the community "Half Baked" and it be considered a "joke" rather than a well deserved, testing credential that VALIDATES one's abilities, and aptitude to perform the required service of PROFESSIONAL ROOF CLEANING.

Make CERTIFICATION mean something. "If you can't STAND for something, you'll FALL for anything"

Just my .02 cents.

[Apple Roof Cleaning]

Good stuff Dave.
There will always be a "dark side" who will be critical of everything and everybody.
Welcome to life.
The KEC guys have divisions in their approach to training and certifications too.'
I am not a power washer, but there was considerable controversy surrounding the PWNA as well.

It seems in this, and other industry's, there is considerable debate WHO should offer training and testing, and HOW it should be done.

We must go foreward, and need not be concerned, or capitulating, to those with counter intentions.

You are doing a GREAT job with your outline of the test questions.

Once we solidify our staff, all of us will reach agreement on the actual test material.

I have some others asking for their input to be recognized.

Stay Tuned !

[David Grimes]

The dark side comment leads me to believe that some think there is only one way... their way. All black and white, no gray. Let me say that there are almost always more than one way to skin a cat. Agree with that? Also more than one roof cleaning formulation that gives excellent results. Also different architectural variation that requires different methods than what works for the majority on this board. Also different and varied equipment needs to accomplish one's particular missions.

I truly enjoy reading what works for others and especially enjoy the trips into absurdity that are found by reading the Florida infighting, the debates over which pump, which wand, who invented what, the best hose diameter to use, the pH detour, what soap, what mix is best, which company is coming back and kicking who's ass, etc.

If I compare what I knew before I found this forum and what I know now, I can honestly say that for MY education the forum has been more of an amusing distraction than a solid and consistent source of information.

My company builds houses, remodels, operates a brick and mortar store, and we clean roofs. We can and do almost everything. Of all the processes we attempt to master, roof cleaning is by far the simplest process (well maybe insulation is easier). To give the impression that it is more than what it is just adds to the absurdity. To offer "training" and "certification" given the babble that the whole of the community can't even agree on (not to say they should) is pompous as hell.

Put another way: If roof cleaning was included in the 2006 International Buiding Code, the entire procedure would be lucky to fill up two pages of verbage at a 6th grade level. I don't see any text book in existence on roof cleaning. No "Roof Cleaning for Dummies" is out there. Hell, write one and see 1) How little it is even with before and after pictures ad nauseum and 2) how many copies you can sell (or even give away).

Business is good. We like the roof cleaning portion of our diverse business model. But lets not make it more than it is (or can be).

[Don Phelps]

Originally Posted by David Grimes

The dark side comment leads me to believe that some think there is only one way... their way. All black and white, no gray. Let me say that there are almost always more than one way to skin a cat. Agree with that? Also more than one roof cleaning formulation that gives excellent results. Also different architectural variation that requires different methods than what works for the majority on this board. Also different and varied equipment needs to accomplish one's particular missions.

I truly enjoy reading what works for others and especially enjoy the trips into absurdity that are found by reading the Florida infighting, the debates over which pump, which wand, who invented what, the best hose diameter to use, the pH detour, what soap, what mix is best, which company is coming back and kicking who's ass, etc.

If I compare what I knew before I found this forum and what I know now, I can honestly say that for MY education the forum has been more of an amusing distraction than a solid and consistent source of information.

My company builds houses, remodels, operates a brick and mortar store, and we clean roofs. We can and do almost everything. Of all the processes we attempt to master, roof cleaning is by far the simplest process (well maybe insulation is easier). To give the impression that it is more than what it is just adds to the absurdity. To offer "training" and "certification" given the babble that the whole of the community can't even agree on (not to say they should) is pompous as hell.

Put another way: If roof cleaning was included in the 2006 International Buiding Code, the entire procedure would be lucky to fill up two pages of verbage at a 6th grade level. I don't see any text book in existence on roof cleaning. No "Roof Cleaning for Dummies" is out there. Hell, write one and see 1) How little it is even with before and ofter pictures ad nauseum and 2) how many copies you can sell (or even give away).

Business is good. We like the roof cleaning portion of our diverse business model. But lets not make it more than it is (or can be).

You hit the nail on the head, David Grimes. Unfortunately, BS constantly gets spun into fudge brownies! I suppose that's my only real reason for sinking into this garbage, but all these new guys need to know there are several ways to clean a roof.

Cutting corners with garden hose etc. won't deliver a better product, however.

Who mows a yard with scissors?

[David Grimes]

Hey, I appreciate good BS AND am QUITE fond of fudge brownies. I take the good with the bad, but have to be my own judge. I'm sure we are all that way to some extent.

[Apple Roof Cleaning]

Originally Posted by David Grimes

The dark side comment leads me to believe that some think there is only one way... their way. All black and white, no gray. Let me say that there are almost always more than one way to skin a cat. Agree with that? Also more than one roof cleaning formulation that gives excellent results. Also different architectural variation that requires different methods than what works for the majority on this board. Also different and varied equipment needs to accomplish one's particular missions.

I truly enjoy reading what works for others and especially enjoy the trips into absurdity that are found by reading the Florida infighting, the debates over which pump, which wand, who invented what, the best hose diameter to use, the pH detour, what soap, what mix is best, which company is coming back and kicking who's ass, etc.

If I compare what I knew before I found this forum and what I know now, I can honestly say that for MY education the forum has been more of an amusing distraction than a solid and consistent source of information.

My company builds houses, remodels, operates a brick and mortar store, and we clean roofs. We can and do almost everything. Of all the processes we attempt to master, roof cleaning is by far the simplest process (well maybe insulation is easier). To give the impression that it is more than what it is just adds to the absurdity. To offer "training" and "certification" given the babble that the whole of the community can't even agree on (not to say they should) is pompous as hell.

Put another way: If roof cleaning was included in the 2006 International Buiding Code, the entire procedure would be lucky to fill up two pages of verbage at a 6th grade level. I don't see any text book in existence on roof cleaning. No "Roof Cleaning for Dummies" is out there. Hell, write one and see 1) How little it is even with before and after pictures ad nauseum and 2) how many copies you can sell (or even give away).

Business is good. We like the roof cleaning portion of our diverse business model. But lets not make it more than it is (or can be).

I owned 2 brick and mortar retail stores in the 80's.
Shut the second one down intentionally, LOL
THAT was a lot more difficult, I agree.
And of course, there is more then one way to clean a roof.

[Apple Roof Cleaning]

Originally Posted by Don Phelps

Cutting corners with garden hose etc. won't deliver a better product, however.

Who mows a yard with scissors?

Don, for those who can't aford better hose, 5/8 Vinyl Garden Hose will work just fine.
Not all mechanics start out with Snap On Tools.
Many cars are repaired with cheap tools from the auto parts store.

INSULTS REMOVED BY ADMIN!

The roof could care less WHAT hose delivers the chemicals.

[PWkid]

Chris I know you directed that post to Don but I will chime in,your right a lot of mechanics can not afford snap-on tools. I would suspect that if a mechanic did not have a 9/16 wrench he would not choose a monkey wrench to loosen a bolt. Yes a monkey wrench will work but you take the chance of rounding off the head or scraping your knuckles when using the WRONG TOOL for the job. Chris, garden hose will work, as will a pump up sprayer, or direct pressure, or sodium hydroxide. Are they the right TOOLS for the JOB? Chris if garden hose is such a great idea why don't you still use it? Its cheap enough to replace. I already know the answer to the question.

[CCPC]

Originally Posted by Don Phelps

You hit the nail on the head, David Grimes. Unfortunately, BS constantly gets spun into fudge brownies! I suppose that's my only real reason for sinking into this garbage, but all these new guys need to know there are several ways to clean a roof.

Cutting corners with garden hose etc. won't deliver a better product, however.

Who mows a yard with scissors?

This guy.

[All Surface]

Originally Posted by CCPC

This guy.

For amusement only.... Ya gotta watch the whole thing. It's actually pretty funny!
YouTube - Cutting the Grass

[Apple Roof Cleaning]

Originally Posted by PWkid

Chris I know you directed that post to Don but I will chime in,your right a lot of mechanics can not afford snap-on tools. I would suspect that if a mechanic did not have a 9/16 wrench he would not choose a monkey wrench to loosen a bolt. Yes a monkey wrench will work but you take the chance of rounding off the head or scraping your knuckles when using the WRONG TOOL for the job. Chris, garden hose will work, as will a pump up sprayer, or direct pressure, or sodium hydroxide. Are they the right TOOLS for the JOB? Chris if garden hose is such a great idea why don't you still use it? Its cheap enough to replace. I already know the answer to the question.

Mel, by that logic, I should still use a shurflo ?
My pump is better then a shurflo, and my hose is better then garden hose.
Will a shurflo work ? Sure it will. Will Garden Hose work - yes it will.
Is it as good as better hose, no it is not.

I ONLY clean roofs Mel, thus ALL my money is spent on buying the best equipment I can.

But, for someone not SURE if they will like roof cleaning, or short on money, Vinyl Garden Hose will give them a start.

Like I said, I used some for 6 months w/o issues, other then kinking.

The BIG problem with garden hose is where do you find 300 feet of it ?

[Apple Roof Cleaning]

Originally Posted by CCPC

This guy.

THAT was funny Lance