Sodium Hypochlorite, Sodium Percarbonate or Sodium Hydroxide for Roof Cleaning? by Linda Chambers, Brand and Sales Manager for Soap Warehouse, www.SoapWarehouse.biz
The most popular chemical used today fiberglass, and organic materials such as by roof cleaners is still “bleach” or sodium limestone, with only a small amount of asphalt hypochlorite. It is also the chemical of choice to even be left in the single of today. of ARMA, the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Limestone is one of the major reasons Association.¹ But saying that today’s roof Gloeocapsa Magma, or roof algae, has become shingles are primarily made of asphalt is no a more noticeable problem to home owners longer true. and a boon to roof washers. These black Over the last 30 years or so manufactures streaks are unsightly and, if left untreated, will have been adding more and more additional literarily eat the singles apart, since the algae ingredients to shingle make up to produce consumes the limestone as it grows. The dark a laminated product of specialized papers, coloration seen is the protective UV covering of the algae as it spreads. Everyone knows high pressure washing is not favored for shingle washing since high pressure can damage shingles by removing the granular surface and can void the manufactures warranty of the home owners roof. So today the industry applies other wash systems that can come in various forms. Sodium Hydroxide Some contractors still use sodium hydroxide, one of the first chemicals found in roof cleaners. Sodium hydroxide is a high alkaline product, sometimes called lye or caustic soda. If used in high concentrations and left to sit on any type of asphalt it can loosen or dissolve the bond of the shingle and granules since sodium hydroxide will break down petroleum-based products like asphalt. However, fewer and fewer of today’s shingles are made with much asphalt. And it is not to say that sodium hydroxide products cannot be used to clean many types of roofing materials. Sodium hydroxide does clean the dirt, mold and algae, but cleaning www.soapwarehouse.biz solutions must be used at proper dilution 1-800-762-7911 rates and limited time durations, and must be
14 eClean Magazine May 2012 www.eCleanMag.com Photo by Roof Cleaning by A&E, Dallastown, PA, www.RoofCleaningPa.com thoroughly rinsed with high flow rates – but not high pressure rates – to remove the chemical, thus stopping any residual action. The problem with sodium hydroxide is that if it is not completely removed from the surface – even after it has dried – it can be activated again and, once wet, continues its normal chemical reaction on petroleum based products. But sodium hydroxide is a fine product to use for cleaning tile, concrete or slate roof materials. moisture and rain to do the rinsing. With many Sodium Hypochlorite of these products, it is sodium percarbonate Now back to sodium hypochlorite. This that is doing the work. system is not without some problems and new This oxygen-based system starts to work nay sayers of its use like to bring these up. Yes only as it is first mixed and applied with water sodium hypochlorite will just become salt once to the roof surface. Since the carbonated the water has evaporated. If allowed to flood action quickly stops once the chemical reaction or cover plants without proper dilution, it can with water is done, further or later rinsing of cause damage to the plant roots and leaves. If the product from off the roof will not matter. handled properly, it will not. It is also the product of choice for cleaning If used at high concentrations and left to sit wood shake roofs and is where the process was on asphalt shingles, sodium hypochlorite can expanded to now include asphalt shingle roofs. cause deterioration to them just like bleach This relatively new player to the game is does to clothes fibers with repeated washings. gaining ground with contractors pushing a But if used at proper dilutions, plants treated “green” environmentally-friendly business by pre- and post- rinsing and complete rinsing focus. But even sodium percarbonate is mined of the solution from the roof at the time of from the ground as Trona, and has chemical cleaning, then these issues are just scare treatments to purify it. It, like oil, is a limited tactics used against contractors that use resource that creates waste “tailings” that can sodium hypochlorite. Also, I need to note that be harmful to the environment. a small amount of sodium hydroxide is found I am not saying that moving to a supposed in the 12% sodium hypochlorite sold today as a more eco-friendly cleaning product is not stabilizer of the mix. good for everyone. Rather, all three of these Sodium Percarbonate chemical cleaning methods have a place and Today you hear the words “Soft Wash” used do work. Those that try to bad mouth another a lot. And this phrase can mean more than one contractor’s methods should be careful or may thing. To some, a soft wash is just the fact that find that in just a very few years that his own they are just using increased gpm (gallons per prefect method has become the wrong way to minute) of water to flush cleaning solutions off do it. the roof instead of using a high psi (pounds Linda Chambers s Brand and Sales Manager per square inch) of water pressure to rinse for Soap Warehouse, where she has worked the chemicals off – or, as others call it, a low since 2007. Linda enjoys writing articles for pressure wash. So even sodium hydroxide or industry publications, blogs and social media. sodium hypochlorite contractors may say they She also traveles for the company, exhibiting at are soft or low-pressure washers. trade shows and events. Visit the company’s Others say soft wash is in fact no water website at SoapWarehouse.biz. rinsing at all. Instead, it’s just a spray on ¹ http://www.asphaltroofing.org/pdf/tb_217.pdf - then let nature takes it course by allowing air Technical bulletin “Algae discoloration of roofs” eClean Magazine May 2012 www.eCleanMag.com 15 The Concepts behind Soft Washing
by AC Lockyer, SoftWash Systems
wenty years ago, bleach and water was stains from shingle roofs. combined with surfactants, algaecides By nature, shingle roofs Tand residual inhibitors into the first soft are designed to make a washing solution. It was sprayed directly from home’s roofing structure more resistant to an agricultural style tank sprayer to remove damage from the elements, thereby protecting mildew, bacteria and other organic stains from the inside of the home. The shingle roofing building roofs and exteriors. system is made up generally of three parts: Soft washing revolutionized the roof and fiberglass sheets, petroleum adhesive and exterior cleaning industry by allowing more ceramic or stone aggregate. These shingles are carefully metered chemical solutions to be placed on top of a petroleum-based tarpaper applied to building surfaces for the benefit – often called “roofing felt” – which protects of cleaning that surface chemically without the wood sheeting or deck of the roof from pressure. Because of that, in the last two moisture. All of this roofing anatomy quickly decades, soft washing has become the most degrades except for the topmost and most important change to the mobile exterior important ingredient of a roofing shingle cleaning industry, since the downstream system, the aggregate. injector. Roofing aggregate is pressed into the hot So how do you truly define soft washing? asphalt- or petroleum-based adhesive on top There is quite a lot of controversy of a shingle and it becomes a protective barrier surrounding what constitutes soft washing for nature to attack and slowly eat away during technique and equipment. Let’s start with what a shingle roof’s lifecycle. It largely protects the soft washing can and cannot clean so that we roofing system from two weathering elements: understand what we are trying to accomplish rain and storms, and UV degradation. This by utilizing soft washing as a cleaning method. aggregate reflects the sun’s rays from the roof Soft washing was initially created as a and over time is designed to weather away cleaning technique for safely removing algae little by little completing the service life of the
16 eClean Magazine May 2012 www.eCleanMag.com shingle roof system. This, in many cases, takes and other weathering elements will remove the over 30 years. dying microbes later. Some U.S. regions experience hailstorms, In time, as I cleaned more and more roofs, which strip away large amounts of aggregate this soft wash cleaning solution dripped down from the shingle roof system, leading to onto driveways, wood fences, soffits, pool decks decreased service life. In these cases, roofs are and more. I began to see the potential for often replaced because of loss of vale from the cleaning other surfaces. What was conceived roof system. as an answer for safely and effectively Pressure washers are a mechanical cleaning roofs was now seen as a way to duplication of this natural attack on a shingle perform maintenance cleanings throughout a roof system. Shingle roof manufacturers homeowner’s or businesses’ property on many recognize this and have, in many cases, written surfaces. into their warranties that any pressure washing Soft washing became a quick and effective of a shingle roof will void the manufacturer’s way to treat and clean away any organic-based warranty. stain from a building’s surface, especially Addressing this concern is what drove the where pressure washing would damage roofs, invention of soft washing. Soft washing is paint, wood, EAFIS or other delicate surfaces. actually much more closely associated to pest The list of building infestations and stains control than to the pressure washing industry. began to grow. Mold, mildew, algae, fungus, In fact, when I developed soft washing back bacteria, viruses, germs, mosses, lichens, in 1991, I had been involved in the nursery insects, organic soiling and more were easily industry, growing and marketing ornamental removed with the soft washing technology. plants for seven years. I took my degree in That explains the why and the what. horticulture and my experience treating plants Now to truly understand the technique for fungal and bacterial infections and applied you have to understand some background I it to rooftop staining issues. In 1991, that have already touched on. In 1984, I began my experience and training was used to develop high school corer as the son of a high school the first completely chemical roof cleaning dropout that became a super entrepreneur. system, the Mallard System. My father was a very successful businessman The Mallard System who owned and sold several successful service The Mallard System treated rooftop businesses. I entered high school with no real infestations like a pest, not a stain,by treating desire to graduate or excel and was mostly the issue at the root of the problem by actually concerned with growing my hair out, playing killing the rooftop fungus and leaving behind in bands and chasing girls. My sophomore inhibitors to aid in keeping the fungus from year, I was 16 and READY to drop out and coming back.Many believe that merely spraying join the family business. I had started my first a bleach-and-water solution on a roof’s surface semester, had an elective that I hated, and was will achieve a thorough and lasting cleaning still within the window transferring to another result. It will not. Though many soft wash class. The only other elective open was a solutions contain some sodium hypochlorite Horticulture 1 agriculture class. Well anything (bleach), that bleach alone will not obtain a was better than what I was in so I gleefully 100 percent kill ratio against rooftop microbes transferred into Hort 1. which cause staining. In a true soft washing That class came with an opportunity to application, bleach is only used to achieve join the Future Farmers of America, and two things: to aid the soft-washing pro in my teacher thrust me into being one of the determining what surfaces have been treated chapter’s officers. That changed my life’s thoroughly, and to create an instant clean direction forever. By the time I graduated effect. In actuality, most of the algae, mold, from high school, I was blessed with many mildew and bacteria is left behind on the FFA honors. Simultaneously – through dual surface and is now just bleached clear. Rain enrollment ag classes, high school classes,
eClean Magazine May 2012 www.eCleanMag.com 17 local ag and nursery jobs, and FFA leadership – material and/or roof; it seeps into every crevice I gained a degree in horticulture that included and pore. That’s why it can last up to four to 720 hours of instruction. six times longer that pressure washing. Basically, when I saw what was growing Soft washing equipment, therefore, looks on roofs, I only saw one way to attack it – the much like pest-control equipment. It is same way we attacked the same microbes not modified pressure washing equipment! growing on plants. Spray it! Downstream injectors will not allow for So soft washing technique is based solutions strong enough or customizable strongly in the spray-and-kill-it approach. enough to treat as effectively as soft washing, The application of a chemical to kill an alien agricultural style, spraying equipment. invader. The inoculation for the virus. The cure There is great debate on this and I want for the disease. Soft washing is and will always to clear this up. Pressure washers are gas be the application of a chemical to a surface guzzling, loud, obtrusive, damaging, wastefull, where the chemical does all of the killing antiquated, 80-year old technology that is not and cleaning of the microbe. Soft washing in any way soft washing. Yes, you can turn chemicals need only be applied to clean. No down the pressure on a pressure washer. Yes pressure is needed for the cleaning, only for the you can change your tips to a higher GPM application. Any where the chemical can reach orifice. You can even inject chemicals into a will be cleaned by the chemical. The chemical pressure washer’s hose to pre-treat a surface, is not selective. It cleans whatever it comes in but ultimately when a stain resists cleaning contact with. by chemical, either the pressure is increased, Soft Washing Equipment the tip is changed or the heat is turned up and In the same way you cannot treat simply brute force is utilized to clean the surface. In half of a home to cure a roach problem, you many cases the surface loses to impatience or cannot treat just half a roof or half a wall to ignorance. achieve any kind of lasting result against these The simplest soft washing rig consists of microbial invaders. Soft wash solutions go just a few parts: the tank, the pump, the deeper than just the surface of the building
gaiN the suPPort of the origiNal Power washiNg trade orgaNizatioN JoiN the exPerieNce...
Since 1992 the PWNA has represented contractors in the Power Washing industry. We stand for all power washers: fleet washing, concrete cleaning, kitchen exhaust, wood restoration, as well as everything in visit us on between. The PWNA provides quality education and certification to power wash contractors along with conventions, networking opportunities, and a clear voice for our industry.
Visit www.thepwna.org for more info on becoming a member.
Power washers of North america Join Us! ph 800-393-7962 | fx 651-213-0369 | www.thepwna.org Convention/Cruise: 18 eClean Magazine May 2012 www.eCleanMag.com www.ThePWNA.org oCt 2012 - orlando Fl hose and finally the spray gun. There are while soft washing. more sophisticated configurations available, Biodegradable chemicals allowing for more options and wider mixes of are available making differing soft wash solutions, but the typical soft washing even tank sprayer will work nicely. You know you more environmentally are soft washing when your spraying system responsible. Soft has everything to do with delivery of the washing also uses soft washing chemicals and nothing to do one-third the water with the cleaning of the surface itself. Soft a pressure washer wash systems merely deliver a potent mix will use. In fact soft of chemicals that treat the building exterior washing, because of surface and the chemical does all of the its long-lasting clean, cleaning, removing the organic based stain. allows a surface to stay Now don’t get me wrong. I realize that there clean with less frequent is great use for traditional pressure washing. visits from the cleaning For heavy equipment cleaning, paint prep, company, further hood cleaning, fleet washing and the like, reinforcing less visits, meaning less water pressure washing may be the only alternative. and less chemicals. In soft washing, less is However, for surfaces being attacked by definitely more when it comes to being good microbes as we have discussed, pressure stewards of our environment. washing may often accelerate or worsen the Here’s the bottom line. Why modify a damage of these microbes that you are trying pressure washer trying to soft wash when to clean away. Pressure washing works on adding real soft washing equipment is so many non-organic stains like rust, oil, grease, inexpensive? A basic system can be assembled minerals and such. There is still a place for it. for less than a thousand dollars and will However, 8 am, Main Street USA on a Saturday pay for itself within one week off of profits. morning is not one of them. Training and chemicals are widely available. Pressure washing is facing huge obstacles Seminars happen throughout the year and as we face government interaction with groups like The Soft Wash Community at wastewater laws (Clean Water Act), as well softwashsystems.activeboard.com exist for as water restrictions as cities grow and support and encouragement. groundwater sources dry up. Fossil fuels Soft washing is becoming a preferred way and our dependence on them are also to perform maintenance cleanings while creating an atmosphere where we need to implementing good environmental stewardship look for alternatives to using gas-driven guidelines. Soft washing shouldn’t be ignored. cleaning platforms. Water and Gas drive huge You can either buy a ticket or you can stand discussions about our stewardship of our on the track,s but one way or another this resources and will eventually become negatives train is going to impact your life. Why not let when consumers choose an exterior cleaning it be a positive impact to your bottom line? company. Add to that the cumbersome size of AC Lockyer is the former owner of Mallard many professional pressure-washing trailers Systems and TerraClean where he was as well as the noise they create, pressure responsible for sales in excess of $27 million washing is facing some tough days ahead. As dollars in soft washing. He was awarded the of the writing of this article, pressure washing Florida 100 in ‘99 & ‘00 as well as the Central is specifically named as a restricted activity Florida Up & Comers Award in 2001. AC in Florida’s Stage Three Water Restrictions enjoys fishing and in 2006 won the Redfish and seven counties are now within those Tour National Championship. AC is a husband restrictions. and a father to his two children. AC now owns Beyond understanding what soft washing SoftWash Systems a company dedicated to actually is, now we all need to understand supplying equipment, chemicals, education and that careful chemical choices need to be made support to the soft wash professional. eClean Magazine May 2012 www.eCleanMag.com 19 Dry Ice Blasting: The Indoor Solution
by Paul Horsley, Publisher
There are numerous types of abrasive today. Growing in popularity is the use of dry blasting options available for industrial use ice blasting as a way to remove the toughest dirt and grime from a wide range of indoor surfaces. This fairly new alternative to other popular options, such as sandblasting, has truly changed the face of the power cleaning industry by providing a way to achieve the same results, but with a much lower impact.
WHAT IS DRY ICE BLASTING? Dry ice blasting consists of rice-sized pellets of carbon dioxide accelerated at supersonic speeds toward a contaminated surface. The pellets power through the contaminant and, once striking the underlying surface, create mini explosions that lift off the contaminants. Compared to sandblasting, the impact on the underlying surface is minimized because the pellets released by the dry ice blast are much softer than grains of sand. Sandblasting tends to score the surface whereas dry ice blasting is completely nonabrasive. This state-of-the-art process also minimizes waste because shortly after hitting the surface, POWERCLEAN the pellets evaporate into carbon dioxide gas. This is in contrast to sandblasting, which October 20-23 results in leftover grains of sand that must be www.CETA.org removed.
20 eClean Magazine May 2012 www.eCleanMag.com DRY ICE BLASTING FOR INDOOR extruder screws, mold machines, ovens and CLEANING NEEDS mixers can all be thoroughly cleaned without Dry ice cleaning has proven very versatile leaving any secondary waste that is common in its application due to its gentleness and when using the sandblasting technique. lack of waste or runoff. A wide range of Pulp and paper. The intricate nature of the industries employ dry ice blasting, from the equipment and machinery involved in the pulp aircraft, automotive and transport industries and paper industry makes dry ice cleaning to numerous others that require more sensitive the preferred method of power cleaning, as it cleaning methods due to their presence in allows equipment to be cleaned “as is,” with protected indoor environments. The following no disassembly. Furthermore, the dirt, soot, list of industries highlights the assortment of grease and oil buildup removed via a dry ice uses for this innovative process, along with blast can constitute a safety risk if not cleaned its adaptability to each business’s individual regularly. cleaning needs: The true allure of dry ice blasting lies in Food and beverage. The food and beverage its simplicity. There are many benefits to industry is an obvious candidate for the dry choosing this 100 percent environmentally ice cleaning method simply because of its need friendly method for your power cleaning needs for safe and non-toxic cleaning. The buildup of – one of which being that your business and by Paul Horsley, Publisher food waste and grease that can collect its workforce will remain entirely operational over time is no match for a dry ice when the dry ice blast service is being blast, which will leave equipment in a performed. This fact can translate into savings pristine and sterile condition. of thousands of dollars when factoring in Foundry. With dry ice cleaning, the typical the usual downtime that is needed for more hazardous waste that is produced within this conventional methods of power cleaning. industry can be greatly reduced by the regular removal of excess grease, dust, ink or carbon from production equipment. Additionally, the Let us put our expert production schedule will never be impacted due to a planned cleaning. knowledge of legendary Historical restoration projects. Because of the immense sensitivity of historical restoration Landa equipment projects, this nonabrasive technique has to work for your received much praise since becoming more prevalent for this use over recent years. cleaning needs. Historians can now breathe easier as they attempt to restore items and buildings back their original look and grandeur. Packaging equipment. When production in Specializing in Power a packaging plant must be halted for cleaning, washing equipment management can expect a negative impact to sales, service and the bottom line. Dry ice cleaning is especially custom manufacturing appealing for cleaning wax or clay buildup on the critical machinery in a packaging plant, because the process doesn’t require taking machinery offline and won’t interfere with (403) 771-7774 production schedules. Plastics. In addition to allowing production www.HydraEquipment.com to continue with no interruptions, dry ice blasting also meets the detailed cleaning requirements of the plastics industry. Molds,
eClean Magazine May 2012 www.eCleanMag.com 21 Roof Cleaning Spraying Techniques By Doug Rucker, Owner of Clean & Green Solutions and Founder of the Pressure Cleaning School, www.PressureCleaningSchool.com
One of the most important factors in For of this article, I am going to talk about determining how profitable and successful your how I spray and how I teach students at The roof cleaning business will be is your spraying Pressure Cleaning School to spray an asphalt technique, method of application, and amount shingle roof, which is about 90 percent of the of mix you apply, along with your pricing, of roofs we do. I’ll discuss first how I spray a one- course. and two-story walkable roof and then a two- Ask ten different roof cleaning contractors story unwalkable roof. how they spray a roof and you will probably get One and Two Story Walkable ten different answers. And none are necessarily For me, the key to applying the mix is to more right or wrong than the other. Top to apply thin coats so as just to dampen the bottom, side to side, from the ladder, from the shingles. I am not looking to flood the roof with ground only, one application, two applications, mix, I just want the shingles damp or moist. two applications with a spot follow up, and on Whenever I see streams of mix running down and on the list goes. I always feel that I am applying too much Everyone has his or her own method and mix and will try to adjust the amount I am technique for spraying a roof. All of them work. spraying. I realize runoff is inevitable, but Because it is the cleaning mix that is doing the large amounts are what I am trying to avoid. work, as long as you’re getting the mix to the My goal is no more than one to 1.5 gallons in roof, and the mix is good, the roof will clean my buckets under any downspouts if gutters up. But how you spray can and will determine are present. how much mix you use, your amount of runoff, Step 1: Starting at the gutter line, I will plant damage and how long you will be on the spray out the first three to four shingles up job. moving horizontally across the roof. I position
22 eClean Magazine May 2012 www.eCleanMag.com my body and feet so that I am facing back to I understand some roof cleaning contractors the top of the roof as much as I comfortably will explain to the customer that those brown can. stains will come off with the rain – and they Step 2: With my gun pointing up toward the will – but for the money I am charging, I just top of the roof, I then coat the first three to four prefer that the roof be totally clean before I shingles, again moving horizontally across the leave. My before and after pictures are better roof. too. Step 3: Once I have reached the edge, I then You will always have some roofs that will will spray – with my body and gun pointing take more time than others. For example, toward the roof and not toward the non-roof thinner shingles are going to absorb faster area – where grass or plants may be below. than the thicker shingles. I have just found Step 4: Moving up to the top the roof, I that the key for me is giving a little time spray out the edge of the roof, as I did the between coats instead of continual spraying bottom, three to four shingles in. until the roof comes clean. Step 5: Once the bottom and edge are Two Story sprayed, I then spray the rest of the roof, from Spraying a two story house is, of course, bottom to top. totally different than spraying a one story. As I spray, I am applying nice, even, More often than not, the two story homes consistent applications. In the first application, around here have very steep and I will not walk I am not looking to add more mix to one spot them. I am very careful about what I will walk than another. Once I have sprayed an entire and what I will not. If I have any hesitation area or section – say the front of the roof – I about walking a roof, I will not. I will just then go back and hit the really dark areas spray it from the gutter line. again, before moving onto another section. Whenever I spray a roof from the gutter line Once I have completely applied my first standing on a ladder, I try to copy as best I can application, I then check the section I sprayed the way I spray a one story. Using my zero first. If this area is still wet or damp, I will wait tip, I will coat the first three to four shingles until it has dried a little more. Sometimes I will up to the left and right of me. As the shingles come down and take a break, or if we are doing get wet and I get closer to the area where I am a house wash as well, I will hand the gun standing, I will switch to a fan spray tip, and down to my ground man and let him spray out spray the areas immediately to the left, right the back and side of the house. and directly in front of me. The reason I do not spray again if the roof is For the area directly underneath the ladder still pretty damp or wet is because it is a waste stabilizer, I can barely pull the trigger on of mix. I go by this: “If it’s still wet, it’s still my gun, allowing for only small stream to cleaning.” All I am trying to do when I clean a coat this area. This prevents the mix from roof is keep it damp. Applying more mix on top of an already damp or wet roof is not going to clean it any better or faster. Once the first coat is nearly dry – I never wait for it to completely dry unless it’s the really hot part of summer – I then apply the second coat, adding just a little more to the dark stains. I spray the second coat the same as I did the first coat. Once the second coat is applied – and this coat usually takes less time to apply than the first – I wait at least 15 to 20 minutes to allow that coat to work. Then any Visit www.RoofSnot.com for More Information leftover brown stains (dead algae) I hit again Available exclusively through Southside Equipment, quickly so the roof is completely clean. Inc., www.PressureWasherKY.com
eClean Magazine May 2012 www.eCleanMag.com 23 then the third is done just hitting any spots that may need it. Often I will come across a two-story roof that is walkable, and if so, I will spray it just like I do a one-story roof. Often, a two story unwalkable roof will still have a “route” I can take and get to the peak, the ridge line, and I can spray everything from there. When doing this, I use the zero tip for 90 percent of the application. BUT I will start spraying at the bottom and spray up towards me, stopping and starting as needed to control runoff. There is just something about new mix hitting the already applied mix that seems to help control runoff. Again, I realize that everybody has different ways to spray out a roof and I certainly do not advocate that there is one set way. Each individual will adapt his or her own methods and system; this is just the way I prefer to do splattering onto my face and clothes. I like it. I realize that it may seem to take more time, using a trigger style gun I get from Paul at and I am OK with that. The last thing I want www.powerwashstore.com because it allows to hear my customer say when I am done is, me better control and I can stop the flow “You’re done already?” Hopefully some of the immediately versus a ball valve. If I drop new (and old) roof cleaning contractors can the gun, I also know that the flow will stop pick up something here that will help them immediately versus not being able to turn off make there business better. the ball valve. No matter how you decide to spray a roof, Once I have coated all the areas to the left two things are essential to your roof cleaning and right, I then start spraying from the bottom business: up using my fan tips or the zero tip depending 1. Develop systems and procedures so that on the distance I need. This spraying you are efficient from the time you pull up to technique requires changing the tips somewhat the time you leave frequently. I realize I could use the zero tip and 2. Develop a consistent spray pattern. probably spray it out much faster, but that This will help to prevent you from missing would also require using a lot more mix. Also some areas and applying to much in others. when I see the mix really start to flow down the It doesn’t matter as much the pattern you roof, I will stop spraying for a few seconds to develop, just develop one and be consistent. allow it to soak in. So, there is some starting Doug Rucker is the owner of Clean and and stopping with this technique. This is Green Solutions in Kingwood, Texas, and Vice- another reason I find the trigger gun so much President of the United Association of Mobile more convenient than a ball valve. Cleaning Contractors (UAMCC). Because Once I have sprayed that section out he enjoys helping, teaching and mentoring completely, I will then come down and either those who are new to the pressure washing spray out another section of the roof, clean industry, Doug started the Pressure Cleaning a section of the house if that is part of the School in 2011 where he provides both class job, or just take a break. In any event, I allow training as well as one-on-one instruction. To my first application to sit at least 15 to 20 learn more, visit the school’s website at www. minutes before I will spray it again. The second PressureCleaningSchool.com. application is done the same as the first and
24 eClean Magazine May 2012 www.eCleanMag.com Door Hanger Success Out In the Field - Part I From the Strategies for Success (SFS) experts, www.SFS.JonDon.com
All the news stories talk about the recession We found this little forcing us back to the “basics.” Stuff like play on words caused actually saving money, living within your folks to at least means, spending time with your family – check the body of the boring basics like that. So it got your SFS message. team to thinking about marketing and some We also put a of the old tried and true stuff that we did special discount offer 30 years ago. The funny thing is our SFS on the back of the members tell us the same marketing tricks are door hanger. Today still working for them! Hmmm… we would put at least So let’s talk “ a $20.00 off coupon. door hangers.” That’s right, those old (Normally a specific fashioned marketing pieces that are actually dollar amount Sample Door Hanger Provided physically placed at neighbor’s houses (or is better than a by the Pressure Washing businesses) using shoe leather instead of percentage.) And Resource Association (PWRA), bulk mail, newspapers or the Internet. (I’m here is a way to get PressureWashing.Resource.com going to focus on the good old “five around” “double duty” out of your door hangers. next to jobs you are doing instead of the mass Unless the property is specifically posted inserting of flyers door to door in selected “No Trespassing” (or has a snarling dog behind neighborhoods. Which can also be a valuable the fence) you can leave something in the door. marketing technique. But that’s another BUT it should not be visible from the street. article!) A good way to do this is just slip it under the We always found the key was the title. Ours storm door. And of course everyone should always referred back to us having worked know it is a federal offense to put unstamped in their neighbor’s home or business. This stuff in a mail box! mentioning their neighbor was both subtly So go ahead. We challenge you- try the reassuring and added a bit of peer pressure. boring old “five-around”- one on either side of (Hey, honey, they didn’t attack Marge when the house you are working on and the three they were alone with her so maybe you’ll be homes across the street. Then report back on safe too!) how it works for you- even after all these years NOTE: One warning here. Do NOT write we say basic human nature doesn’t change. down the name of the neighbor you’re cleaning Let us know your thoughts. for that day on the door hanger. Some people Your Strategies for Success Team correctly view this using of their name as an Strategies for Success (SFS) is an intensive invasion of their privacy. (Don’t ask us how we five day, college level business management learned this!) Or if you do ask if you can use and marketing seminar designed specifically their name then this request may come across for the cleaning, restoration and decorative as unwanted pressure. concrete industries. SFS also includes free Our door hangers had a big title that said, lifetime support and consulting from the SFS “Today, your neighbor cleaned up big!” along Team. For more information call 800-400-9473 with a eye-catching and dramatic color photo. or go to www.SFS.JonDon.com eClean Magazine May 2012 www.eCleanMag.com 25 Roof Cleaning• Safety Tips by Neo Johnson
Photo by Palmetto Pressure Clean, LLC www.PalmettoPressureClean.com
The roof cleaning industry has grown To protect yourself from falling you should exponentially in recent years as homeowners work with a safety harness system whenever have become more aware of the fact that possible to act as a “safety net.” You should their roof algae stains can be removed. This also invest in a pair of roofing shoes that expansion has attracted many small business are designed for maximum grip and slip entrepreneurs who see it as a potentially resistance. I personally recommend the Cougar lucrative endeavor. All too often, though, this Paws brand. You’d also be wise to hold your rush to earn money results in a roof cleaning trigger gun in one hand while holding chemical service that has not laid the groundwork for line slack in the other to avoid tripping over it. safe procedures and operations. These owners In addition, always make sure you’re moving and operators would be wise to lay out some in a forward direction and not backward. I’ve basic safety tips for themselves and their had a few close calls while moving backwards employees before anyone even steps foot on a and tripping over vent stacks or other roof roof. obstacles. Finally, leave yourself a dry path Contact Karen Rokosh First and foremost, the most obvious risk to exit the roof, otherwise you’ll be dealing for advertising: associated with roof cleaning is the potential for with slippery chemicals as you attempt to a life-altering or life-ending fall. Many people walk down to the ladder and mount it. You wrongly assume that only two-story roofs are can spray the path with chemical behind you [email protected] dangerous, but there are countless people who during your final exit. die or are paralyzed by falling from single story Ladder safety is a topic unto itself. You’d ranch roofs every year. If you land on your be wise to use a ladder standoff device at all 403-510-2715 head it doesn’t take much height at all for there times, not only to protect the homeowner’s to be disastrous consequences. Navigating a gutter but also to stabilize the ladder during roof is particularly dangerous when a cleaning your ascent and descent. Also make sure is in progress because there are slippery that a helper is at the bottom of the ladder to chemicals and hoses to contend with. help keep it stable while you’re climbing it. In 26 eClean Magazine May 2012 www.eCleanMag.com addition, try to extend the ladder at least three the need arises. The last thing you want to do or four feet above the gutter line so that it will is allow the chemical to sit on your skin for be easier to mount it from the roof surface extended periods of time. If it’s a big job take upon job completion. Finally, if you can afford multiple breaks so you can climb down and it, try to purchase ladders that don’t conduct give your face and skin a good rinse with the electricity. Many a roof contractor has been garden hose. Taking breaks is just a good idea injured or died as a result of accidental power in general because roof work can be very hot line contact. and you need to replenish your body with cool Last but not least is the issue of roof water whenever possible. The last place you cleaning chemical exposure. No matter what want to experience heat stroke is forty feet off product or solution you’re using, some of the ground on a slippery roof. it is bound to come into contact with your Those are some basic safety guidelines that skin or mucus membranes and you need to you’d be wise to employ if you have your own be prepared for this. Always wear goggles, a roof cleaning business. If you’re not spending NIOSH-approved mask, and heavy-duty gloves. as much time preparing for safety as you are I realize that roof work can be very hot but if for profits then you’re setting yourself up for at all possible it would be wise to wear a long fall (in more than one way). Lay out clear rules sleeved shirt and long pants to protect your for yourself and your people and make sure skin from chemical splash. Also, on windy they are adhered to. Every other aspect of your days it’s inevitable that chemical mist will business comes a distant second. find its way onto your neck, ears, ankles, and other exposed areas so try to carry a dry rag Neo Johnson is an author for the Guide to or towel with you so you can wipe it away as Roof Cleaners and Services.
• 17,000+ readers in the professional contract cleaning industry • Prices well below other industry-related publications Contact Karen Rokosh • Topics that are relevant and for advertising: timely • June 2012 issue will feature [email protected] the concrete cleaning industry (sidewalks, 403-510-2715 driveways and parking lots)
eClean Magazine May 2012 www.eCleanMag.com 27 Roof Algae Cleaning Myths Before Debunked by RoofCleaningChemicals.com
Photos courtesy of First Choice Power Washing, Lexington, KY, There’s a lot of false information about roof www.FirstChoicePowerWashing.com algae cleaning floating around. Roof cleaning cleaners very much, and this is because we is still a relatively new industry and most keep them honest. If a roofer tells you that you homeowners aren’t that familiar with it. But need a whole new roof just because of some it’s time to set the record straight. It’s time to algae staining, tell him to take a walk and blast some common roof cleaning myths out of look up your local non-pressure roof cleaning the water once and for all. Here are the top ten company instead. You’ll save a huge amount of myths about roof stain removal. money. 1. Black roof stains 3. Roof algae are caused by tar, removal will have acid, dirt, or jet fuel. no real impact on a home’s curb appeal.
Roof stains are caused by a hardy type of Most people are shocked when they see blue-green algae called Gloeocapsa Magma. how much better their home looks after a All it takes is for one algae spore to land on roof cleaning. I think this is because most your shingles, take hold and then it’s off to the homeowners have gotten so used to seeing the races. The algae will continue to multiply and stains on their roof that they’ve completely spread, its growth fed by the limestone filler in forgotten how good it once looked. the shingles and moisture. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve cleaned the roof of a house that had been 2. Algae on roof on the market for months with virtually no shingles signals activity. Within days of the cleaning, it finally that it’s time for a started getting serious offers. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again that new roof. no matter how beautiful your landscaping, no Simply the presence of algae stains does matter how clean your windows, no matter how not necessarily equate with needing a new precise the painted trim, if your roof is covered roof. In many cases, all a roof needs is a good, in filthy algae stains, it will still ruin your curb professional cleaning to restore its original look appeal, if not in your eyes then in the eyes of and health. your family, friends, neighbors, and potential You might notice that roofers don’t like roof buyers. 28 eClean Magazine May 2012 www.eCleanMag.com 4. Roof algae is only a 6. Chemical roof cosmetic issue so it can cleaning will damage be ignored for now. shingles, gutters, and landscaping. If not cleaned and kept at bay, roof algae If you’re using the right chemicals with the has the ability to shave years off the life of your proper procedures and rinsing techniques then Before shingles. It’s important to remember that roof you have nothing to fear. I’ve cleaned hundreds algae is a living organism that needs food to of roofs with non-pressure chemical methods continue to grow. Guess what the favorite food and have never caused damage to someone’s of roof algae is? That’s right – your shingles! home. I also only clean roofs with a helper Shingle makers now use limestone filler present whose sole responsibility is to rinse the in the manufacturing process, which the heck out of the grass, bushes, and perimeter algae just loves to chew on. This will result in landscaping so that there’s absolutely no premature loss of shingle granules and general chance of plant damage. We usually do such deterioration. a good job of rinsing that homeowners notice Shingle granules are vital to the health of that their landscaping actually looks especially your roof and home because they work to Photos courtesy of First Choice Power healthy and vibrant in the days following the deflect UV rays and heat away from your roof’s Washing, Lexington, KY, cleaning. surface. If they are gone or covered with algae, www.FirstChoicePowerWashing.com ARMA (the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers then you will have a hotter attic and higher Association) and GAF (North America’s largest AC bills. You’ll also have to replace the roof a shingle maker) both recommend that shingles lot sooner. With the average new roof topping be cleaned with non-pressure, chemical $10,000, it’s a no-brainer to keep your shingles methods, and any home inspector worth his clean and functional for a fraction of the cost. salt would also concur. 5. The best way to 7. It’s only necessary go about removing to clean the sections roof algae is with high of the roof that have pressure. visible stains. Next to positioning your home in the path of Just because you can’t see algae stains on a tornado, power washing your roof is the worst certain parts of the roof doesn’t mean that it’s thing you could possibly do to it. Just because not already there and beginning to develop. your concrete, deck, and brick siding were Keep in mind that in its early stages roof algae pressure cleaned to remove algae stains doesn’t is completely invisible to the naked eye. It’s not mean you should do it to your shingles. until the more advanced stages that it actually Don’t you have any idea how flimsy and turns black and becomes visible. So if you can fragile your shingles are? Don’t you realize see algae on even one section of your roof that how many thousands or tens of thousands of means that it’s probably already taking hold on shingle granules will pop right off with the use your entire roof. of a power washing wand? It blows my mind I always try to explain this to my customers that people think this is a good idea. but occasionally I still get people who don’t Yes, blasting your roof with 2000 psi will believe it and demand that I only do a spot- remove some of the stains, but if it removes clean to remove visible stains. I reluctantly some of your actual roof in the process then oblige their demands but am never surprised what’s the point? If you bought a roof algae when I drive by a year later to see the remover and somewhere in the instructions it untreated areas now completely covered in says that you should walk up on your roof with black algae! Then they usually call me back a power washing wand in hand and unleash with the standard, “You were right. Can you hell on your shingles, then it’s safe to say that please come back and clean the whole roof as you purchased the wrong product. you originally recommended?” eClean Magazine May 2012 www.eCleanMag.com 29 8. Ambient temperature has insinuate that I’m somehow ripping them no effect on the off. I think people hear that word “cleaning” effectiveness of a roof. and they think it should be cheap like carpet cleaning or house cleaning. If you’re using the correct chemical Think about it. Does a carpet cleaner mixture, then it will be most effective when the spend three hours at your house sweating temperature is above 50 degrees. Below 50, the and getting sunburned? No. Does a carpet power of the solution drops off rapidly. If you cleaner run the possibility of paralysis or absolutely must have the roof cleaned on a day death by simply doing his job? No. Does a when it’s right around 50 or a little bit lower, just carpet cleaner spend $100 on chemicals for keep in mind that the chemicals will need to sit every single job? No. Can a carpet cleaner for a little bit longer on the roof to be effective. So offer you a guarantee that the treated instead of giving it five minutes to kill the algae surface will stay clean for years to come? No. give it 15. Then reapply if necessary. On the flip There’s so much more that goes into a side, if it’s an extremely hot day you may find professional roof cleaning than for any other that your chemical is evaporating before it even kind of residential cleaning service that it’s has a chance to kill the algae. In this situation really not even fair to lump them into the you can simply soak the roof with water to cool it same category. As a matter of fact, I actually down before applying the chemicals. think that most roof cleaning companies 9. Roof cleaning is an come in too low with their prices when you consider all the variables involved. easy DIY project that I also challenge you to name one other any homeowner can do home improvement service that can instantly in an afternoon. transform a home’s curb appeal in a single There’s nothing easy or quick about roof afternoon for under $500. Can’t be done. cleaning. In fact, if you approach it with a cavalier When you consider that it not only makes attitude, you run a good chance of injuring your home more beautiful but also extends yourself. If you want to have any chance of the life of your expensive roof by a matter of cleaning your roof safely and effectively then you years, I think that having a roof cleaned is need to set out a clear plan of attack, have safety one of the smartest and most cost-effective procedures in place, and, above all, take your things that a homeowner could possibly do time. Rushing through a roof cleaning only leads to protect their biggest investment. to trouble. So now that I’ve educated you about Unless you’re one of these guys that absolutely the myths that surround the roof cleaning has to do every home improvement job on your industry, I hope you’ll take these words of own, I would highly recommend that you just find advice to heart because they represent the a qualified, non-pressure roof cleaning company straightest talk about this topic that you’re in your area. Either you can hire somebody who going to find. I’m not here trying to sell a has the equipment and experience to clean your product. I’m telling you like it is because roof in a few hours or you can spend an entire there are too many lies flying around. Either weekend doing it yourself and risking your life. you can buy into one of the myths and be Your choice. disappointed with the results or you can 10. Roof cleaning clean your shingles the right way and be satisfied with your new-looking, beautiful companies tend to overprice home that is free of roof algae. their work and take RoofCleaningChemicals.com was advantage of consumers. established in 2008 with the goal of educating the public and other contractors about the I guess I’m always a little disappointed when proper procedures for cleaning a roof. Today I tell someone that it will cost $300-$500 to they receive more than 6000 visitors a month. clean their roof and they give me attitude and 29 eClean Magazine May 2012 www.eCleanMag.com 30