The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum
"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

Palm Beach Roof Cleaning wrote:

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Chris I posted it there so others can see the if they liked the watermark format.

I like it a lot.

I realize that I also forgot to post that.

What is the average warranty that everyone is giving, because they'd have to fill that into their document. I think that a handwritten one may appear cheesey

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I don't KNOW the "average" warranty off hand ?
I woud GUESS two years ??

WE give a ONE year Unconditional - Non Pro Rated warranty.

BUT - we be cleaning roofs in TAMPA FLORIDA

And do a LOT of Tile Roofs.

2 years is WAY too long for a Tile Roof In Florida

 

I have a few things that don't seem right as this is a RCIA document. I just don't want the group to get in trouble.

First the comment

"We 100% guarantee your roof will look brand new!"

This statement makes me think that RCIA guarantees that the roof would look like new.

It should read that "RCIA contractors normally provide a 100% Guarantee your roof will look like new again!" And maybe something additional stating that it depends on the physical condition of the roofing i.e. missing granuals etc.

Another one

"We offer a ____ year warranty against any streaks reappearing on your shingles."

This should read "Contractors using RCIA and ARMA certified methods normally provide a warranty ranging from 1 to 4 years depending on environmental conditions against algae regrowth on your roof. The more humid the climate the more favorable the growing condtions for algae are, thus the warranty period is shorter than in drier climates."

Last one

"We have had to go behind many competitors who pressure wash or rinse their customers roofs, which start growing mold and streaks after only ____ years."

This should go something like "RCIA contractors have had to follow behind many competitors who pressure wash or use another method of cleaning their customer's roofs. These roofs tend to start growing algae streaks again in a very short period of time."

Food for thought. This document sounds like it was written by the contractor instead of by RCIA. I know that was not the intention but that is how it comes across to me. I think we need to leave the time frames off the document totally as each area if the country is unique and different and leave that to the individual business owner. This document needs to be for RCIA, about RCIA and nothing but RCIA. It needs to explain what RCIA is, which it does. I also think we need to add in a complaint email address. We shouldn't have this problem but if we should for some reason have a bad apple in the barrel the customer needs some sort of complaint resource. Being over charged is not a complaint that RCIA should deal with but shoddy workmanship should be dealt with by suspension of certification. If you are rude then that is between the customer and yourself and RCIA will not deal with those types of complaints unless it is to the detriment of RCIA.

Gotta break this up. Secondly there should be a verification system via email like verify@roofcleaninginstitute.org (I know you have the domain) that customers can send an email saying is so and so a member reply yes or no. Is so and so a certified member reply again should be no if they are a member but not yet certified. If someone is falsely advertising let them deal with the fall out.

I am looking for items for my website, and this looks like a good blog item. Thanks Mike and others.

Chris I would likk to thank all of you for openingmy eyes to a better and sometimes less timely way to clean roofs.  I struggled my fist year  trying this and that spending a lot of money for products that didn't work very well.   And yes low presser washing. That was a joke.  The only problem I have now is what to do with all the old equipment that just sits in the garage.
Thanks again,
Lew,
Roof Guard Shingle Cleaning

I added some more important information to the RCIA technical bulletin.

For instance, you see someone cleaning a roof with so-called "low" pressure and biodegradable chemicals and it appears they have done a good job just because the streaks and discoloration are gone, but guess what? So is a large amount of the protective ceramic coated granules which insures the shingle's warranty. The roof will no longer have the original 20-30 year warranty the customer paid for. Thousands of dollars are spent each year replacing and repairing damage caused by under skilled operators and companies who over sold their knowledge and capabilities.

Depending on how corrosive the chemicals they were using and the amount of pressure was applied to the roof's shingles, a 20-30 year warranty roof may only have enough ceramic coated granules to last 5-15 years. There is no telling how much damage they have done until 5-15 years later the roof has deteriorated prematurely and must be replaced MUCH MUCH sooner than they should have. Make sure your roof's warranty will not be compromised by hiring a qualified professional who really knows what they are doing, has references, and has proper documents from the RCIA, ARMA, and shingles manufacturers to prove it.

If the company you are asking whether or not they use a pressure washer and they say, "Yes, but it's very low-low pressure" It's only 500-1000psi and it won't damage your roof. We can not stress enough to all home owners who have asphalt shingle roofs to avoid hiring companies who use any pressure at all. A chemical only, NO pressure system is the best, safest, most efficient, longest lasting way to go.

Roof cleaning companies who "low" pressure wash roofs may have not had any complaints from the BBB for years, but it's only a matter of time when one of the roofs they have pressure washed will have to be replaced much sooner than the warranty expires. A more attractive lower price will actually be more expensive in the long run.


I also changed a couple of lines per Pat's request.  Thanks Pat.

RCIA contractors provide a 100% Guarantee your roof will look like new again!"

Contractors using RCIA and ARMA certified methods normally provide a warranty ranging from 1 to 4 years depending on environmental conditions against algae regrowth on your roof. The more humid and warmer the climate the more favorable the growing condtions for algae are, thus the warranty period is shorter than in colder, drier climates."

RCIA contractors have had to go behind many competitors who use chemicals NOT approved by the ARMA or shingle manufacturers or use no chemicals and pressure wash or rinse their customers roofs, which start growing mold and streaks much sooner than our customer's roofs.





-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Pro Greensboro NC (336)362 7659 on Sunday 20th of September 2009 01:35:06 PM

Mike, your bullentin was Excellant as most of your post are. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and time.

Red white and blue is way neato.

Thanks Gary, I changed it. Never is replaced with not.

It can be limiting and perhaps a little risky to use words like "never and always".  Be sure that when you are creating your company info. that you are very selective with verbage. 

I, for one will not state in my marketing info that I "will" make a customer's roof look new.  In stead I will say that I should be able to make the roof clean.  Some people will try to hold you to an unreasonable standard - maybe their roof is damamaged under all that dirt...  Aint nothin that SH is gonna fix.


Don Cahill
PaneLess Window Washing + Roof Cleaning
Montgomery, Bucks, Lehigh County Skippack, Collegeville, Pennsburg, Quakertown,Harleysville, Lansdale, PA