Asphalt Shingle Cleaning applications

[CCPC]

I'm curious about what application is most popular for cleaning Asphalt shingle roofs. I'm assuming that Chlorine is the most popular method, but to rinse, or not to rinse, that is the question.

[James]

When you shampoo your hair . What wood happen to your scalp if you didn't rinse ? That's why alot of guy's are bald !!!! lol ( bleachhead)

Assfault- this could be a favorite new word with many meanings ?

[Beth n Rod]

Sodium Hydroxide is not good for asphalt...
We would use bleach...
See Jim? We do use it.
Beth

[CarolinaProWash]

We tried the SH route - ONCE - PITA! Next time we try a roof we are definitely going the bleach way.

[RyanH]

Should have one or two really nice roof examples coming up end of this week or early next week (weather dependent). I'll show some before/after using just bleach.

[CCPC]

I tried a sodium hydroxide roof chem when I first started doing roofs, but I noticed after the first few roofs that everytime a would rinse the washwater woukd amount to a thick coffee colored liquid that I thought was pretty neat at first(thought that was all the grime that I had removed from the roof), but now realize that that thick coffee colored liquid was simply emulsifed tar that the chem had melted off the shingles.

Now I exclusizly use Chlorine (sodium Hypochlorite) for my roof cleaning needs. I do alot of roofs due to the conditions here in Florida and at first I would try to rinse every roof, but soon realized that everytime I rinsed I was putting the greens in jeopardy. I decided that it did'nt make since to rinse a roof whose conditon was pleasing enough after the chem application. I have never had any complaints and I have had many refferal clients seeking my services.

[VanDiesel99]

I have encountered quite a few customers who have had someone clean their roof in the past and the algae returned rather quickly. I even had one client who had zinc strips installed immediately after the bleaching and it was back one year later. My question for the guys who use bleach, have you had any problems with the algae returned quickly? I am sure without rinsing then it will thoroughly kill the algae but that seems like it would damage the shingle(dilution comes in to play). I have heard of shingles becoming brittle after bleaching(there could be many factors for this as well, one being whether its chlorine bleach or not). I just want some responses from some guys who use it day in and day out and how it works for them. I have an ongoing experiment right now bleach vs. SH. I cleaned two 5x10 squares on the same roof panel, one with bleach and one with SH. The SH side cleaned faster and easier. The bleach mix was the formula oxy-bleach and tsp recommended by the ARMA(Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association). The SH also looked brighter than the bleach side. Its been a little over a year and no algae has returned on either side(and I even left algae directly above each area to stimulate its regrowth. I personally use sodium hydroxide and have used it for several years and am very happy with it. Anyways, I am not really trying to stir up a debate because there is no real answer which one is better, I just want to hear some experiences other people have had with the different chemicals.

[CarolinaProWash]

Since we have very little roof experience, I'm not a great contributor here but we did one with a Sodium Hydroxide cleaner recently. We had good results, however, it took longer and cost us more money in chemicals. The whole question of which product is worse for the roof is an ongoing debate. With that in mind, our next roof will be using bleach. If it costs us less time and money and the results are as good - it's a no-brainer on which method we'll continue with. The whole idea is to provide a good service to the customer and still make money!

I would be very interested to be kept informed on your test subjects though

Celeste

[RyanH]

Every roof I cleaned with low pressure bleach over a year ago still looks as good as the day I did it. Keep in mind that eliminating the algae does just that...eliminates it. Kills it. It doesn't necessarily prevent. If a house is in an area where algae growth is prevalent, or has other contaminated houses nearby, it can easily spawn new growth. Copper and zinc do go a long way towards preventing growth, but will not absolutely stop it if the algae dominance is high.
I'd like to see situations in which bleach has made a shingle brittle. I think the only case you are going to find this is one where the protective covering has long since deteriorated and exposed the paper underneath, and even then the UV damage to the paper is just as harsh as the chlorine radicals. I don't like hydroxide because it doesn't have the same bleaching properties as hypochlorite. Also, hydroxides are key ingredients in chemicals intended to dissolve organic material (drain openers, degreasers, etc.), so knowing that a roof has a significant amount of asphalt (a petroleum-based organic compound), I'd want to keep the two clear of each other. You can put a hydroxide on a roof and watch the brown stuff leeching down the pitch....that's not dirt, it's dissolved oils. Do the same thing to blacktop parking lots and you will see the same results.

[Henry B.]

I've always used bleach and I've never had any problems with damaging the shingles. I don't leave it on the roof though like some have mentioned in other posts. I apply it, clean it then rinse.
I've only had it grow back on one roof but it was a mildew prone area with lots of low hanging tree branches. I did another one just like it and installed the zinc oxide strips.. That held of the mildew one year longer but there's only so much you can do. I think 3-4 years is pretty damn good for keeping mildew off a badly shaded roof though.

[Degraffreed]

Help!!!

Gents I did my first roof job and the result were not as expected. The roof had mold on it and heavy in certain spots. I came to this BB and researched over and over again before I went out Saturday and performed the job.

The roof was asphalt, brown in color and approx 2600 sqft. I sold job this along with the cleaning of the house.

The house took about three hours using limolene, ( not as great as advertised). It did not remove mildew off the hardiplank with out using bleach as told by distributor.

Back to the roof, I used about 15 gallons of 6% store bought bleach. I used my thruster from e-spec, 5gpm 3000 psi. I have a M5 jet but it only had a 15 ft hose. I could not get on the ladder and get the proper angle with such a short hose, So I decided to use my thruster with the 50 ft 1/4 hose. I had no issue getting the chems up on the roof but the roof did not come as clean as I would have liked it the customers were fine with the outcome. I mixed 5 gal of bleach with a nice big squirt of
Dawn for a surfacant and thrusted it on, waited 15 min on each part maybe longer then rinsed. I had to apply chems three times and still not the result I would have wanted. Results like RYAN H, pictures of past roof jobs he completed. I know he's has the experience and the know how.

My question is this. Should I have used pool chlorine of 10-12% versus the 6% store bought? My thinking is my Thruster diluted the bleach to the point that it was ineffective.

Should I have used my M5 Xjet which would have put it on in a stronger concentration to kill the mold?

I am looking to purchase roof cleaning product from Steve Rowlett and go back this spring a redo this roof for this customer at no cost. I know some of you think if the customer is fine with it this let it be But I am out to do quality work and am sort of a perfectionist. Plus it just do not look good to still see what I was supposed to remove.

Can a vet help me out on this delema. I want to be the best at what I do. My company name is on every job.

Hey any pw in GA willing to train me on roof cleaning for free labor. In in Atlanta and would like so OJT if you do not mind.

Degraffreed

[Pams Pressure & Clean]

Degaffreed,

I have answers to your questions, an offer to accept some of your labor, and some tips & tricks for better washing that you might use.
BUT, right this minute I have to bolt outta here and do a job, so feel free to call me on the cell, on the Nextel, or tune in here later tonight.

Cujo

[Degraffreed]

Pam, Cujo

You got yourself some free labor. I am available on weekends only. Still working my 9-5, for the benefits. Since your right here in GA, Call me and I am yours!!!!!! Looking to gain all the knowledge I can.

DeGraffreed
678-480-0123

[RyanH]

DeGraffreed,

I think the problem is from the concentration. I use 6%, but I apply it with a ShurFlo, so I get all 6% onto the roof. Using an Xjet or similar device with an initial concentration of 6% will yield, at best, a 3% final solution. If you want to use a thruster or Xjet, you will need a stronger concentration to begin with, like a 10 - 12%. I'd be glad to help you out sometime. My trailer setup is not extremely impressive, but I have all the tools I need to accomplish my targeted jobs with satisfactory results. Call me sometime if you'd like...770-490-7610

PS--your 9-5 in atlanta, are they looking for new hires? I know a hard working, diversified chemical engineer who's looking for work (psst....it's me!)

[GymRat]

Thought I would send some pics of my rig I put together this weekend. I am not sure how well the battery pack will work, but I plan on giving the rig a trial this coming weekend on my first roof job. I have 100' of hose and a 35 gallon tank with a shurflo pump setup. I did put an inline fuse in and my spray wand is the 6' telescoping one that Ryan recomended. I designed this rig from suggestions from this board, and wanted to think everyone for your help. Please critique this rig with your honest opinion.

Thanks, John