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

CarolinaContractors · Guest

certification

Chesapeake · Guest

Here's a link with all the info. Roof Cleaning Institute Certification.

Your also going to have to fill out your signiture.

BCRoofClean · Guest

That doesn't sound too hard. I wish I knew this 6 months ago instead of commenting about the 900 posts I've read in my head.

Evergreen · Guest

Can you give us an idea of what the test consists of? How is test given? Over the internet, the phone?

garyw · Feb 26, 2010

At present the test is given over the phone with a variety of questions on different topics. We are discussing changes to this ststem which will include testing over the internet and several new and different technologies. Be patient!

mrwindow · Guest

I was hoping it was more of a hands on program, I need an excuse for a vacation.

RCIA Founder

BCRoofClean wrote:

That doesn't sound too hard. I wish I knew this 6 months ago instead of commenting about the 900 posts I've read in my head.

Those 900 Posts will come in handy, when you get tested by me and the staff wink

Posts are reviewed, and 100 Bull Chit Posts will not get you certified, nor will it get you past me and our staff

Think about it ?
You may be a potential local competitor of someone who busted his azz here to earn RCIA certification.

If anyone thinks they are gonna do 10 posts in 10 days, and stroke me or our staff into getting RCIA Certified, think again.

This post is NOT aimed at you in particular, but RCIA wants everyone to know we are not stupid.

Do it right, and have fun doing it, but LEARN.

I have a guy right now with well OVER 100 posts, and he is not ready.

Posts ARE reviewed, and this software makes it easy to do so.

Don't let that scare you off, maybe you can be one of us ?

PTC · Guest

chris says it best

BCRoofClean · Guest

Thats affirmative. And thats the way it should be. I would rather earn it and wear it with pride than have some fake label above my name.

ibdhiker · Guest

Well, I hope my being of a different opinion is ok and that constructive input is welcome....so here goes. I am very surprised that posting is the mechanism to achieve certification. I am a Master Chimney Sweep of 30 years this September. There isn't room on this board to explain what all goes into that rating. Not complaining.....just commenting. It would seem that the basis of knowledge aquired from reading/responding constructively to 100 posts would be a good prerequisit to hands on training, or a written test, but "certification" would seem to be a large step from there.

But then, I am new to the industry. I own two companies.... Fireplaces Direct....and The Home Upgrade Group. We added roof cleaning to our services offered last fall at the Home Upgrade Group. Unaware of these forums we sought information via suppliers. It has been interesting but thankfully uneventful with respect to any serious problems.

We have cleaned a total of only 26 roofs to this point. We started out doing churches free for the publicity and experience. Starting as I said via suppliers, we bought drums of SH, a 4GPM 4000 psi machine, a pitch witch setup, various other tools and pieces of equipment and jumped in neck deep.

I have enjoyed learning a new "skill". The industry seems both developed, and developing further. The thrill of being a novice after 30 years of one industry has been exciting. Notice I said "has" been. Our system works well. Results wise. As a method of making profit it is laborious and time munching. At this time we want to step it all up a notch and become one of the best at what we do, the same attitude that got us where we are in the fireplace industry.

I have come to learn that our equipment is adequate but not superlative. Our methods adequate but also lacking in productivity. We are looking for someone to take us up a level or ten. I am an incredible marketer. I can sell ice-water to an Eskimo. What I am looking for is hands-on assistance in upgrading to a no-rinse system that does not work us to death rinsing. The SH is very effective, just takes too much time to rinse, and the pitch-witch, while beneficial on some roofs, is cumbersome and too dang much work.

In a nutshell, my partner James and I, would like to travel to an experienced roof professional and trade some hard work for knowledge. We can go anywhere. We are 98% "asphalt" shingle, and 2% metal roofs here. I would like to work with someone with a similar customer base. We are able to pay our own way, lodging etc without much concern. Distance of travel is not relevent, the southeast would be better though. If you, or anyone else, could suggest someone that would be great. Being in business for 30 years we know how to look busy when the business owner is speaking with a customer, know when to keep our mouth shut and listen, and know that every day may not be a good day to be with the person sharing his/her knowledge. We are looking and open to suggestions. Looking for someone to share no-rinse/ground rinse formulas and application methods in exchange for knowing they are helping a company learn to do the industry, and the customer, justice.

Open to suggestions here.

Respectfully Submitted,

Terry Bowen

P.S. I would be glad to answer any questions relative to chimney matters the forum members might have as well.

tb

RCIA Founder

ibdhiker wrote:

Well, I hope my being of a different opinion is ok and that constructive input is welcome....so here goes. I am very surprised that posting is the mechanism to achieve certification. I am a Master Chimney Sweep of 30 years this September. There isn't room on this board to explain what all goes into that rating. Not complaining.....just commenting. It would seem that the basis of knowledge aquired from reading/responding constructively to 100 posts would be a good prerequisit to hands on training, or a written test, but "certification" would seem to be a large step from there.

But then, I am new to the industry. I own two companies.... Fireplaces Direct....and The Home Upgrade Group. We added roof cleaning to our services offered last fall at the Home Upgrade Group. Unaware of these forums we sought information via suppliers. It has been interesting but thankfully uneventful with respect to any serious problems.

We have cleaned a total of only 26 roofs to this point. We started out doing churches free for the publicity and experience. Starting as I said via suppliers, we bought drums of SH, a 4GPM 4000 psi machine, a pitch witch setup, various other tools and pieces of equipment and jumped in neck deep.

I have enjoyed learning a new "skill". The industry seems both developed, and developing further. The thrill of being a novice after 30 years of one industry has been exciting. Notice I said "has" been. Our system works well. Results wise. As a method of making profit it is laborious and time munching. At this time we want to step it all up a notch and become one of the best at what we do, the same attitude that got us where we are in the fireplace industry.

I have come to learn that our equipment is adequate but not superlative. Our methods adequate but also lacking in productivity. We are looking for someone to take us up a level or ten. I am an incredible marketer. I can sell ice-water to an Eskimo. What I am looking for is hands-on assistance in upgrading to a no-rinse system that does not work us to death rinsing. The SH is very effective, just takes too much time to rinse, and the pitch-witch, while beneficial on some roofs, is cumbersome and too dang much work.

In a nutshell, my partner James and I, would like to travel to an experienced roof professional and trade some hard work for knowledge. We can go anywhere. We are 98% "asphalt" shingle, and 2% metal roofs here. I would like to work with someone with a similar customer base. We are able to pay our own way, lodging etc without much concern. Distance of travel is not relevent, the southeast would be better though. If you, or anyone else, could suggest someone that would be great. Being in business for 30 years we know how to look busy when the business owner is speaking with a customer, know when to keep our mouth shut and listen, and know that every day may not be a good day to be with the person sharing his/her knowledge. We are looking and open to suggestions. Looking for someone to share no-rinse/ground rinse formulas and application methods in exchange for knowing they are helping a company learn to do the industry, and the customer, justice.

Open to suggestions here.

Respectfully Submitted,

Terry Bowen

P.S. I would be glad to answer any questions relative to chimney matters the forum members might have as well.

tb

Posting is NOT the mechanism that gets you certified. It only qualifies you to take the test. It does not mean you are going to pass. One can take the Florida Contractors Exam w/o ANY restrictions, other then proof of Florida residency, and money every time you take the test.

VA Roof Washer · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

Terry,

I really liked your post. Iam in a simalar situation. I own my own marketing company and am looking to diversify and there are no roof cleaners to speak of in my area and loads of dirty roofs.

I like you am looking for training, hands on help from an experienced no rinse pro.

Did you ever find anyone who was willing to take you up on your offer to give them some hard work in payment for their helping train you? If so can you pass the contact on to me.

David

Bruce Weber · Feb 23, 2011

VA Roof Washer wrote:

Terry,

I really liked your post. Iam in a simalar situation. I own my own marketing company and am looking to diversify and there are no roof cleaners to speak of in my area and loads of dirty roofs.

I like you am looking for training, hands on help from an experienced no rinse pro.

Did you ever find anyone who was willing to take you up on your offer to give them some hard work in payment for their helping train you? If so can you pass the contact on to me.

David

Gentlemen,

Welcome to the best forum for learning how to clean a roof correctly. You don't have to travel anywhere to have someone teach you. You can learn it all here. All that it takes is a little time to search our vast forum. You can find almost any topic by utilizing the "search" button.

For $100, you can join our members section and instantly view important and useful info that will help you start a business. Ask experienced roof cleaners specific questions and get detailed answers. The pro's in the members section helped me start my business last year, in upstate NY. If your really serious about getting into this business, join our forum.

Buy some equipment, find some suppliers and spray some roofs!

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

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