I am currently cleaning roofs with a product from cleaner today that is powder form. I have good results but I use a pressure washer with a 20inch head with 5 tips that I built. I get funny looks from the homeowners until I explain that the 5 tips reduce the pressure dramatically. the questions I have are does the apple sauce harm or weaken the shingle causing shorter life span? how long do you wait before rinsing the applesauce off or do you let it wash off naturally? if you do rinse it off do you see the dramatic results rightaway that you would see with a softwashing( multi spray tip light presure)? does the mildew really rinse off with just garden hose pressure? the last question of the night is does anyone have or use a liability waiver one that protects my company from accusations of damaging the customers roof. that also gives the customer peace off mind that they are not liable for slip and falls. thanks paul
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Holt Construction & Cleaning
424 East Orange Street Jesup, Ga 31546 912-302-7050
Properly mixed roof cleaner will kill and give dramatic instant results. Yes, it only takes rainfall type pressure to rinse the roof afterwards. The "Applesauce" will not harm the shingles The topic of rinsing vs. not rinsing has been discussed to death. If you prefer to rinse then rinse, but I personally don't rinse,.. I used to. I personally don't use any type of waiver, just be properly insured. Customers don't want potential issues brought in front of them. Mostly just puts unwarranted worry on their mind. You explain the procedure and that should suffice. But with that being said,..that is another reason not to manually rinse.
Jeff is right. Roof cleaning is a completely different trade from pressure washing. No RCIA roof cleaner will recommend the use of a pressure washer for cleaning roofs.
Read Apple roof cleaning's website thoroughly, check out Jeff's and my website also.
I have a video link on mine showing our procedure, which is a no pressure chemical roof cleaning system.
Keep your pressure washer for cleaning houses, decks, concrete.
Don't use it for roofs, otherwise you will be voiding the roof's warranty!
The ARMA (Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association) shows the type of chemicals we use and it does not recommend pressure.
Experienced roof cleaners like myself and Jeff know that if your mix is just right, you do not have to rinse.
If you leave the chemical on the roof it will stay cleaner longer, outlasting your competitors job, and you won't void the roof's warranty.
Hey Paul, since you are in the construction business, if you have an air compressor then you already have a power source for the Yamada air pump system. You can get the Yamada NDP-15 poly air pump for $276.50
I just went to my cousins business and he had 300 gallon containers that they ship chemicals in. You know the kind that have the metal cage and a 2inch valve at the bottom. I was wondering if these would work? The container originally had acid in it but is in the process of being cleaned out. I can get them super cheap but i dont want to waste my time if the wont work.
I just wanted to say thank you for all the great advice. I picked up my two 300 gallon tanks today and my pump (the yamada 5 off of e-bay thanks chris) should be in friday. next a trip to the plumbing supply store and I should be ready to shoot. just a couple of questions. for the best results do you just use a ball valve 3/4( brass or stainless) and a hose barb for a tip 3/4 by 3/8 or is there something better preferebly a gun type.
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Holt Construction & Cleaning
424 East Orange Street Jesup, Ga 31546 912-302-7050
You are going to have to play with nozzles with that pump/hose combo. Roof Cleaning will be a pleasure with that set up. You were wise to grab that Yamada Kynar Roof Cleaning Pump You might want to call Bob at Pressure Tek ? They make a roof cleaning gun some people like. OR, you can simply use a small fire hose type nozzle ? Experimentation with YOUR roof cleaning set up is the key to the best performance.
There is a lot of great information here for you to learn about the business. If you can't find something, just ask.
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Superior Power Washing Chris Chappell 361-853-2513 Cleaning Shingle and Tile Roofs in Corpus Christi Texas No Pressure Roof Cleaning in Corpus Christi Texas       Texas Certified Roof Cleaner   Â
Instead of brass or stainless ball valves, I would recommend using either the regular white 3/4" PVC ball valve from home depot or a black poly Banjo 3/4" ball valve.
yes, it is enough pressure. if your are doing your own house it will work after a few go's. like he said though cover your plants its leaves a brown funk on them. not a dead browning, but brown funk. also it get hot sometimes when mixing so be carfull. If you are trying to do this for a living that is the complete wrong way to go. its a rip off for that stuff and doesn't even really work that great. hope this helps a little.
-- Edited by mescalera on Wednesday 18th of March 2009 04:36:10 PM
I cleaned a few roofs the end of last season with the QSE and other products. Hose pressure does not clean a roof thoroughly as they claim it will!!!! I tried it with a hose and a small electric pump to boost the pressure, then a water broom that attaches to a garden hose, then a water broom attached to a pressure washer. None of these worked well enough that I was satisfied. I ended up using the pressure washer and wand and blasting the algae off along with a lot of granules . At the end of every job I would drive away saying there's got to be a better way thinking about the layer of granules at the bottom of the gutters. Now, after finding this forum, I'm set up the right way and itching to get going! A long story short, do not bother with those other products. They're not worth the time or money.........in my humble opinion..
Rich
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SUNSHINE ROOF WASH SERVING EASTERN PA., SOUTH JERSEY, NORTHERN DELAWARE 610-500-4420 NO PRESSURE/NO DAMAGE ROOF CLEANING
I have not ordered the QSE and I do not think I will be. I have not done roof cleaning yet but about 2 years ago I thought about starting in thermoplastic, flat roof cleaning when I discovered asphalt shingles could be cleaned, so I started researching. Being from Wisconsin this is not a known practice. Three days ago I ran across this forum. I have honestly learned more in three days than I did in 2 years!!! My plan was to start out part time and build off profits. Used my old notes to start the fireplace. New accurate notes thanks to RCIA. This site is GREAT!! If anyone has any info. on WI. laws it would be greatly appreciated.
Hey Roger, good luck in your roof cleaning. Finding this site will prove to be a very positive thing for your business. The season is just about to kick off, so START READING and get those Wisconsin roofs cleaned up this summer!! This is a relatively new board but is already king of the hill for roof cleaning!! Get you a website when you can and this site will drag you right to the top of your local searches!!
I have not ordered the QSE and I do not think I will be. I have not done roof cleaning yet but about 2 years ago I thought about starting in thermoplastic, flat roof cleaning when I discovered asphalt shingles could be cleaned, so I started researching. Being from Wisconsin this is not a known practice. Three days ago I ran across this forum. I have honestly learned more in three days than I did in 2 years!!! My plan was to start out part time and build off profits. Used my old notes to start the fireplace. New accurate notes thanks to RCIA. This site is GREAT!! If anyone has any info. on WI. laws it would be greatly appreciated.
Used your old notes to start the fireplace!!!! I love it! That's hysterical!
Welcome to the board Roger.
Looking forward to seeing you become the first Wisconsin certified roof cleaner.
Just a recap everything we do we do full speed after three roofs with the QSE we found this forum and have never looked back. There is no comparison between QSE and Applesauce. We apply with poly yamada 15's now. Our system is made so the shc and water are seperate till we get to the job. When we get to the job I set the valve to shc then the water and other chems and then we turn the valve on to the mix tank and let it circulate for 5 minutes after 5 we shoot the roof. When the job is over we turn the water valve back on and pump till its clear in to the mix tank wich leaves no waste. The yamada 5 is enough pump for any roof job we just use the 15's because we have them.
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Holt Construction & Cleaning
424 East Orange Street Jesup, Ga 31546 912-302-7050
The yamada 5 is enough pump for any roof job we just use the 15's because we have them.
I always thought you only had the yamada 5 and was wondering how it was doing. What made you jump to the yamada 15? I am trying to decide which way to go still. Any input would be appreciated.