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I wouldn't go less than a 50 gallon tank, but I guess that all depends on the space you have and how many roofs you plan on doing. In Maryland, going bigger than a 100 gallon tank causes issues with DOT for me, but that may be different in your location. I'll agree with Scott on the coverage.

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD on Tuesday 15th of February 2011 03:13:54 PM

After the " approximate coverage " You will have to factor in how badly stained the shingles are, and how many applications it will take to clean it up.

Tracy wrote:

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What is the approximate coverage per gallon of applesauce mix?  I have a home maintenance business and do pressure washing, window cleaning etc in Fort Myers, Florida.  I feel like the market here is wide open for soft wash roof cleaning and am trying to figure out what size tank I would need to start out.  Any help is greatly appreciated.  Thanks, Tracy.

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You may as well get a 100 gal tank, that's what you will need. Some roofs can take the whole 100 gal mix! I use 45% chlorine to water and add 1/2 -1 gal Ammonix Lo-but you can use a couple of large bottles of Dawn dish liquid instead? Sometimes I add a few pounds of TSP, if it's a tough looking tile roof.
Oh, I just did a Google search "ROOF CLEANING" Fort Myers,Fl
and there are only a little over 30,000 roof cleaning ads!
Roof cleaning is everywhere now!
I started pressure cleaning in Port Charlotte,Fl in 1989 and there were only a few of us in the yellow pages, now there are many pages of Pressure Washing.
When I started in 1991 with the no pressure roof cleaning method, I believe I was the only one in the yellow pages. Now, there's page after page! All the Pressure Washing people, Landscapers, lawn businesses, Window cleaners, came to sites like this and learned how to do it and now?????
It's not impossible to make a living at it, but it's getting harder! I made more $ in the year 2000 than I ever have since!
My income went up $4000 - $8000 a year from 1989, topped out in 2000 and now I'm making what I was in maybe 1997 and I expect it will go down more. Just too much "cheap" competition. Trouble is, a homeowner don't know why one guy is cheaper than another. He may find out, when his roof gets pressure washed and the shingles only last a half-3/4 life. Or when a week later, all his plants are dieing and Mr Cheap ain't got no insurance, license etc. Or, when the algae returns in a year or 2 instead of the 4-5 years I tell my customers to expect.
Oh well, I'm ranting!
It just seems that with all the yellow pages advertising and quite a good online presence, I should be doing better!
Maybe things will be better down in Ft Myers!
Chuck Bergman No Pressure Roof Cleaning & Pressure Washing

 

-- Edited by Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 on Wednesday 16th of February 2011 06:47:04 PM

Chuck, thanks for the info I was hoping to hear from someone in my area.  I know a lot of peole are doing this now, but I think I can work it with the customer base I have been building.  I have a pretty good foothold started in 1 nice large developement and a couple realtors trying to help me so with some luck and hard work maybe I can make a decent living.  Tracy

Roger wrote:

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I usually figure 2 gals. per 1 square of roof. Nice to have a liitle extra
 if you have to rehit any area of roof.

 All the information to properly clean a roof is here at the RCIA.

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WTF????? so a 2,000 sft roof would be 4,000 gls???????????????

 

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You guys read what chuck had to say, Thats what i've been talking about, this site being all over the internet in everysearch engine is bringing us down QUICK. I don't want anyone to know our secrets.Why do you? I just don't understand some of you guys. The best thing that could happen for us, is if Chris Tucker took this site off the internet.  Come on guys open your eyes. I DON"T WANT COMPETITION. I want to have a little secret, that no one else in my area has.

Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 wrote:

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Tracy wrote:

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Chuck, thanks for the info I was hoping to hear from someone in my area.  I know a lot of peole are doing this now, but I think I can work it with the customer base I have been building.  I have a pretty good foothold started in 1 nice large developement and a couple realtors trying to help me so with some luck and hard work maybe I can make a decent living.  Tracy

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You are very welcome! I don't work that far south, other than on rare occasion, where I have been recommended to someone, but not more than 1 or 2 times a year.

Certainly, adding Roof Cleaning without pressure, to your window cleaning and pressure cleaning should increase your income eventually.

My suggestion to you is, YELLOW PAGES. I have tried every form of internet advertising- and I have a LOT!, but most of my work comes from repeat customers, then word of mouth, then yellow pages, then drop way down and my online presense brings me a few jobs a year. Online, I offer to go beyond my 30-35 mile radius from 33981 wherre I live.

I hope you do well and feel free to PM me with any help you need-or just post it here, there's guys here that know 'EVEN MORE" than I do about this business!

Chuck Bergman Soft Wash Roof Cleaning & Pressure Washing Charlotte and Sarasota Counties Florida

-- Edited by Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 on Wednesday 16th of February 2011 08:00:14 PM

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+1

 

steveo wrote:

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You guys read what chuck had to say, Thats what i've been talking about, this site being all over the internet in everysearch engine is bringing us down QUICK. I don't want anyone to know our secrets.Why do you? I just don't understand some of you guys. The best thing that could happen for us, is if Chris Tucker took this site off the internet.  Come on guys open your eyes. I DON"T WANT COMPETITION. I want to have a little secret, that no one else in my area has.

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Hi Stevo
maybe I'm having a dull moment?
I honestly don't get your point?
I'm not even sure what part of what I had to say, you are referring to?
Can you reword it in a more explanatory way?
From what I gather [ though I may be all wrong? ]
You don't feel that RCIA being "all over the Internet in every search engine" is a good thing?
I don't want competition in my locality either,  and yes, RCIA can add to competition.
Unfortunately, the obverse, is loads of roof cleaners without knowledge ruining the "No Pressure Cleaning" method industry.
A few uneducated roof cleaners in your area, will hurt you MORE than well trained competition!
I know, because my area is loaded with Lawn, Landscape, Painters, Firemen on days off, School teachers on vacation, type roof cleaners. They don't compete on an even level with you "A $450.00 roof is a $450.00 Roof" they figure "I can do this roof in a day and make $150 bucks!
That's what really hurts you, not another RCIA roof cleaner, who wants the same $450.00 you want. On this level playing field, your expertise and ability to present yourself to the customer, becomes the deciding factor. = Hire the best!
Don't take this wrong! I am not arguing with you at all.
I'm asking you, just what your post meant, for sure  and giving you my 20+ years of insight, on just which competition is of most concern to a professional.
Chuck