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RWpaint · Guest

Alchohol 71% or 90%

gutterdog · May 10, 2010

Get the 90% Wall mart is bout the best price you gonna find anywhere.

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX · Guest

Scratch the ISO. Save your money, its not needed.

andy hinson · May 10, 2010

I think Mike Sullivan suggested 71% is good enough. That's good enough for me.

Roof Cleaning Little Rock Arkansas · Guest

Scott you cant tell a difference with or without?

Clevecavs · Guest

I am interested in the thoughts on this as well. It seems that there is a split as to whether it is definitely worthwhile to use ISO. Seems like those that do are pretty committeed to the results. Can we get some conscensus?

Terry

gr8white · Guest

Isn't iso flammable? Anybody ever had issues?

Guest

Good gravy. It's IPA, NOT ISO. Anyway, I refuse to not use IPA. The IPA gets the roof cleaner, IMHO. But, I also don't like Dawn or Amonyx LO. I think these two are some of the least effective surfactants I have ever used.

RWpaint · Guest

I think it makes the SH soak into the roofing substrate quiker maybe? But it must be strong stuff for one gallon to make a differance in a 100 gallon mix.......Bob

RWpaint · Guest

What type of surfacante would you recommend? It seems like a lot of the guys like this stuff........Bob confuse

Roof Cleaning Toledo Ohio (419) 265-3306 · Guest

Scott, I sure see the difference, I ran out the other day and the roof took longer to come clean and just doesn't look as nice. Do a little test and let me know if you see the difference. I do.

Roof Cleaning Toledo Ohio (419) 265-3306 · Guest

Of course it's flammable, and it's IPA not ISO. No big deal, just don't light it.

Green Apple Roof Cleaners LLC · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

I was wondering myself, what is the best and most cost effective surfarante to use?

Green Apple Roof Cleaners LLC · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

Forgot to ask, if 71 % was all you could find, could you just add a higher % to compensate for the 90% ?
Would that work or is that not necessary.

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX · Guest

No I see no difference. I have used the apple sauce, cider and straight 12.5%, water and dawn. I have done half and half tests, Ive done tests where I do half and come back the next day and don the other half. No difference. Just an added expense that creates harmful fumes. We do 2-4 roofs a day using only SH water and soap, and everything comes out great. I was actually one of the first to try it when Chris first suggested it 2 years ago.

The Alcohol was something someone came up with a couple of years ago. I agree with Kevin that dawn and Ammoxyx arent really that good either though.

Keep your costs down, while still doing a good job. Buy as little as you have to for as cheap as possible to do the job right.

Theres no such thing as "cleaner" when it comes to cleaning a roof. Once the algae is dead and gone, its dead and gone. Alcohol doesnt brighten a roof. Neither does TSP. IUt can only be so clean. The only real argument is if it cleans faster. Here in Texas, it does not, but it may depending on the climate of wherever you are.

-- Edited by Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX on Tuesday 11th of May 2010 12:20:07 AM

Green Apple Roof Cleaners LLC · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

What kind of soap do find works the best?

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX · Guest

Roof Cleaners of Southwest Pa wrote:

What kind of soap do find works the best?

We tried the Ammonyx, and it did work well, but we werent WOW'd by it enough to order any more. Next season Ill probably by a 55er of it, which I can get for about $9 a gallon locally. For now we are sticking with only Dawn when soap is needed.

RCIA Founder

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Lets remember there are 2 primary sources of discoloration on a roof ?
One being Algae, and one being dirt, including atmospheric pollutants. The Chlorine will remove the algae, but chlorine will not remove dirt and stains. If it did, we would simply wash clothes with bleach, and save money on detergent.
I could say "I have washed 2 loads of laundry a week, and see no difference adding Tide, so save your money, just use bleach" That don't mean grocery stores will pull all laundry detergent off the shelves. Cleaning is subjective, I CAN see the difference the additional cleaners make, perhaps you can't ?
One of my hobbies is designing and building super exotic stereo speakers, and I can hear obvious to me differences in several pairs I designed and built. Many of my fridends have said "Chris, ALL your speakers sound terrific to me, I don't really have a favorite one" when I ask them their favorite pair.
If YOU don't see a difference, don't use Ammonyx LO, or TSP, or IPA.
Chit, don't even use ANY Soap al all, save your money. But I think most of us do see a difference, at least I do. Even if, God forbid, you do NOT see any difference, you may want to use Ammonyx LO anyway biggrin

I was told by Yamada it is not a bad idea, since it is slippery, and acts as a sort of lubricant in the pump!
Just as I gave up on my friends who can't hear the differences in my speakers, I am not here to force feed my ideas on what to use to clean a roof, what size hose to use, or what pump. I can tell you what MY experiences are, and what I use. IOW, I can lead a horse to water, but I can't make it drink, nor do I really care anymore.
Actually, I am more concerned with you not damaging plants then WHAT you use to clean a roof, as long as it don't inviolve any pressure. So, come out of the closets with your 1.8 gpm shurflo's, proudly display your puny 3/8 hose, and brag on how you only use "chlorine and water", but be CAREFUL ?? Especially on the RCIA Forum ?
You can BET your azz your local competitors ARE reading this highly ranked roof cleaning forum, perhaps your potential customers too biggrin

Some dirty local competitor may say "Look here Mr Customer, ALL he is giving you is Chlorine and Water, and a 125 dollar pump, it says so right here, in his own words where he got certified at, let me email it to you" yawn

'By golly Mr Customer, one of dem there Delevans only costs 125 dollars, lookie here at the online Pressure Wreck Catalog!" Now golly gee, my air compressor alone costs almost 1000.00 dollars, and my pumps over 600.00 each" 'Oh, Mr Customer, look at him on here, telling everyone to save their money, he's a tight azz, what OTHER corners will he cut on your job to save himself some money"
"No sir Mr Customer, we GIVE you your moneys worth, heck YOU can go to the pool supply store, and dump you some chlorine /water on yer own roof, why hire HIM" ?
Ok guys, enough, I am TRYING to be funny here, but can you see where this is going ?
Local Competitors can be dirty, and will cut your throat in a minute, IF you give them the razor blade to do so. Remember, this IS a cut throat business in many areas ? WE choose to own, operate, and talk about only the BEST roof cleaning equipment and additional cleaning agents money can buy. We practice what we preach. Just something to think about, maybe ?

guest

Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa FL (813) 655-8777 wrote:

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Lets remember there are 2 primary sources of discoloration on a roof ?
One being Algae, and one being dirt, including atmospheric pollutants. The Chlorine will remove the algae, but chlorine will not remove dirt and stains. If it did, we would simply wash clothes with bleach, and save money on detergent.
I could say "I have washed 2 loads of laundry a week, and see no difference adding Tide, so save your money, just use bleach" That don't mean grocery stores will pull all laundry detergent off the shelves. Cleaning is subjective, I CAN see the difference the additional cleaners make, perhaps you can't ?
One of my hobbies is designing and building super exotic stereo speakers, and I can hear obvious to me differences in several pairs I designed and built. Many of my fridends have said "Chris, ALL your speakers sound terrific to me, I don't really have a favorite one" when I ask them their favorite pair.
If YOU don't see a difference, don't use Ammonyx LO, or TSP, or IPA.
Chit, don't even use ANY Soap al all, save your money. But I think most of us do see a difference, at least I do. Even if, God forbid, you do NOT see any difference, you may want to use Ammonyx LO anyway I was told by Yamada it is not a bad idea, since it is slippery, and acts as a sort of lubricant in the pump!
Just as I gave up on my friends who can't hear the differences in my speakers, I am not here to force feed my ideas on what to use to clean a roof, what size hose to use, or what pump. I can tell you what MY experiences are, and what I use. IOW, I can lead a horse to water, but I can't make it drink, nor do I really care anymore.
Actually, I am more concerned with you not damaging plants then WHAT you use to clean a roof, as long as it don't inviolve any pressure. So, come out of the closets with your 1.8 gpm shurflo's, proudly display your puny 3/8 hose, and brag on how you only use "chlorine and water", but be CAREFUL ?? Especially on the RCIA Forum ?
You can BET your azz your local competitors ARE reading this highly ranked roof cleaning forum, perhaps your potential customers too
Some dirty local competitor may say "Look here Mr Customer, ALL he is giving you is Chlorine and Water, and a 125 dollar pump, it says so right here, in his own words where he got certified at, let me email it to you"
'By golly Mr Customer, one of dem there Delevans only costs 125 dollars, lookie here at the online Pressure Wreck Catalog!" Now golly gee, my air compressor alone costs almost 1000.00 dollars, and my pumps over 600.00 each" 'Oh, Mr Customer, look at him on here, telling everyone to save their money, he's a tight azz, what OTHER corners will he cut on your job to save himself some money"
"No sir Mr Customer, we GIVE you your moneys worth, heck YOU can go to the pool supply store, and dump you some chlorine /water on yer own roof, why hire HIM" ?
Ok guys, enough, I am TRYING to be funny here, but can you see where this is going ?
Local Competitors can be dirty, and will cut your throat in a minute, IF you give them the razor blade to do so. Remember, this IS a cut throat business in many areas ? WE choose to own, operate, and talk about only the BEST roof cleaning equipment and additional cleaning agents money can buy. We practice what we preach. Just something to think about, maybe ?

Chris that is a great post and good point.

Now that you brought that up about being cheap, what about all these people on here bragging about how cheap they built their rig for.

You have people here bragging that they built a rig for under 1000.00 dollars and thats including the trailer, again that hurts this industry as well. I can personally tell you my customers would be very disappointed if I pulled up in a cheap rig.

Chris I think this forum needs additional private areas where people can post their cheap equipment .

I think we need to raise our standard here so that we can look more professional and make more money.

-- Edited by Walk on Tuesday 11th of May 2010 07:54:38 AM

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX · Guest

Walk wrote:

Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa FL (813) 655-8777 wrote:

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Lets remember there are 2 primary sources of discoloration on a roof ?
One being Algae, and one being dirt, including atmospheric pollutants. The Chlorine will remove the algae, but chlorine will not remove dirt and stains. If it did, we would simply wash clothes with bleach, and save money on detergent.
I could say "I have washed 2 loads of laundry a week, and see no difference adding Tide, so save your money, just use bleach" That don't mean grocery stores will pull all laundry detergent off the shelves. Cleaning is subjective, I CAN see the difference the additional cleaners make, perhaps you can't ?
One of my hobbies is designing and building super exotic stereo speakers, and I can hear obvious to me differences in several pairs I designed and built. Many of my fridends have said "Chris, ALL your speakers sound terrific to me, I don't really have a favorite one" when I ask them their favorite pair.
If YOU don't see a difference, don't use Ammonyx LO, or TSP, or IPA.
Chit, don't even use ANY Soap al all, save your money. But I think most of us do see a difference, at least I do. Even if, God forbid, you do NOT see any difference, you may want to use Ammonyx LO anyway I was told by Yamada it is not a bad idea, since it is slippery, and acts as a sort of lubricant in the pump!
Just as I gave up on my friends who can't hear the differences in my speakers, I am not here to force feed my ideas on what to use to clean a roof, what size hose to use, or what pump. I can tell you what MY experiences are, and what I use. IOW, I can lead a horse to water, but I can't make it drink, nor do I really care anymore.
Actually, I am more concerned with you not damaging plants then WHAT you use to clean a roof, as long as it don't inviolve any pressure. So, come out of the closets with your 1.8 gpm shurflo's, proudly display your puny 3/8 hose, and brag on how you only use "chlorine and water", but be CAREFUL ?? Especially on the RCIA Forum ?
You can BET your azz your local competitors ARE reading this highly ranked roof cleaning forum, perhaps your potential customers too
Some dirty local competitor may say "Look here Mr Customer, ALL he is giving you is Chlorine and Water, and a 125 dollar pump, it says so right here, in his own words where he got certified at, let me email it to you"
'By golly Mr Customer, one of dem there Delevans only costs 125 dollars, lookie here at the online Pressure Wreck Catalog!" Now golly gee, my air compressor alone costs almost 1000.00 dollars, and my pumps over 600.00 each" 'Oh, Mr Customer, look at him on here, telling everyone to save their money, he's a tight azz, what OTHER corners will he cut on your job to save himself some money"
"No sir Mr Customer, we GIVE you your moneys worth, heck YOU can go to the pool supply store, and dump you some chlorine /water on yer own roof, why hire HIM" ?
Ok guys, enough, I am TRYING to be funny here, but can you see where this is going ?
Local Competitors can be dirty, and will cut your throat in a minute, IF you give them the razor blade to do so. Remember, this IS a cut throat business in many areas ? WE choose to own, operate, and talk about only the BEST roof cleaning equipment and additional cleaning agents money can buy. We practice what we preach. Just something to think about, maybe ?

Chris that is a great post and good point.

Now that you brought that up about being cheap, what about all these people on here bragging about how cheap they built their rig for.

You have people here bragging that they built a rig for under 1000.00 dollars and thats including the trailer, again that hurts this industry as well. I can personally tell you my customers would be very disappointed if I pulled up in a cheap rig.

Chris I think this forum needs additional private areas where people can post their cheap equipment .

I think we need to raise our standard here so that we can look more professional and make more money.

-- Edited by Walk on Tuesday 11th of May 2010 07:54:38 AM

As long as it looks good, it dont matter what it costs.

Since when did lowering your costs and making more money, while still doing superior job become a hack thing to do? Thats probably why MOST roof cleaners are still a 1 or 2 man show after 10-15 years, buttry to give advice on how to run a roof cleaning business.

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"