Longtime observer, 1st post as a Premium member , would appreciate feedback.
First post even though I've been researching here for almost a full year (this is one of several new endevours I've been researching into and have determined to be best R.O.I.).
Starting my first non pressure job soon even though we've been cleaning roofs for over 25yrs (pressurewashing) as a subsidariery service to high end painting business. I have a customer with a slate roof 10/12 pitch 1 story hipped roof of 8000 sq/ft with pitch etc. calculated in. the home is not occupied, all landscaping is being ripped out and all gutters go into the ground to drywells (perfect storm, no need to bag gutters/water vegitation). Algea stains are moderate on north sides and lichen (major concern) is prevelaint in front courtyard/driveway. Since test run with an old flojet air diaphramgh 7gpm pump I used straight 6% SH and some dawn for a test area. Cleaned up nice but waiting for rain to rinse away light brown/green dead cellular residue.
My issue is the lichen on the slate, how long and how well will it take to clean off via mother nature (to the point of not being noticable) after being treated? Though I've researched thoroughly and times given are up to 4 months, as little as 3wks, customer comes out once a week to inspect progress. Total project is in the $100k-$135k price range and the roof is est. @ $3500-$4500 range so I don't want to treat the roof and have it not live up to they're expectation at first glance and throw into speculation our reputation and the quality of our painting/faux work.
12.5%=.125per 100 dilution @ 15gal to 30 gal/H2O =.04/per gal. SH concertration 6.0%= .06per 100 dilution @ 45gal to no water =.06/per gal. SH concertration
is my math correct?
Biggest question is @ 8000 sq/ft how much 6%/gal SH shooting straight w/7gpm pump will I need? 1500-1800sq/ft is bad rest is not even noticable. I'd hit the bad areas first, repeat then hit the "clean slate" with leftover love watered down just as an antisthetic.
I have a supplier of 15% SH lined up (and a backup supplier) but for this first job it may not be feesable due to storage needs etc. Once I have several jobs lined up I will implement this service .
Will attach pics shortly umm....sorry for the long post
Shingle roofs can take up to 3 months for lichen to come off. I havent done a slate roof yet but if Im not mistaken, lichen has less to dig its roots into with slate, thefefore should come off sooner. I don't see why you couldn't use a little pressure on slate to speed the process. I always tell my customers: it's never a question of if, but rather when. It will all come clean eventually depending on how much rain we get in the next 3 months.
roof is too steep to effectively pressure wash. Did a test scenario with 1/2 ladder hooked over peak trying to stand and PW a section, did the math and way too costly ($10k'ish whole roof/$5k just infected areas). This how we'd do it in the past as would most. An aria lift would be feasable for 5k but this is to be our first softwash approach. High end customer with a lot of pull, just don't wan't them to say "wow looks much better but theres still some lichen/dead algea visible. thats what I get for $3-4k?" Obviously I'm informing them need to give some time and hard rain but as you know customers don't care how you get the job done, just end results before they cut the check.
If its too steep and expensive to powerwash then it looks like they dont have a choice. Are they so unreasonable to not understand the process if you explain properly. Have them hold a G note or 2 unitl they get desired results. Sounds like your being timid to tell them the truth.
Nah ther not unreasonable at all, prob going to be the easiest customers to deal with and I'm certainly not timid with my approach. Will be a 4-6 mo job with all the custom work, but I get the feeling from the builder and H.O. that just cleaning the roof is simplistic especially since they (builder and H.O.) are under the impression that it needs to be powerwashed as the only option giving instant results and softwashing they have to wait for full results.
I'm leaning in the direction of being cautious of promising results being I've not had real life experience with the softwash process. I have hi res pics of before and after test spots but having probs uploading due to file size being too big I think. working on that now.
I think Ed's suggestion on holding on to the last $1k is the way to go and if necc. down the road we'll blast off the lichen (I'm convinced that in short time the dead G.M. will rinse naturally) in the few spots where theres lichen remnants. Since this is a long term project, we're gonna be there anyway. the rest of the pmts for the roof/house wash will more than cover labor & materials. It's the impression/confidence factor that I need to instill in this customer, like I said, theres a ton of other work I'm getting from them.
I think Ed's suggestion on holding on to the last $1k is the way to go and if necc. down the road we'll blast off the lichen (I'm convinced that in short time the dead G.M. will rinse naturally) in the few spots where theres lichen remnants. Since this is a long term project, we're gonna be there anyway. the rest of the pmts for the roof/house wash will more than cover labor & materials. It's the impression/confidence factor that I need to instill in this customer, like I said, theres a ton of other work I'm getting from them.
I agree with Ed about holding onto the $1k, that seems like the most reasonable way to go.
Thanks for the welcome even though I see myself as a veteran. Been here a long time, exhaustivley read/researched every thead/question and positioned myself to enter this market/build it up.
The biggest burden going foreward is educating the public/customer and staving off uninformed competition and hacks.
At least uninformed competition can be enlightentened. Hacks will always be lowballers.
Adam, could you fill out a signature please, as it is good for your SEO, if you have a website yet or any other co. information. It also helps when you need assistance as to your geographic location, ie: temps, weather conditions, roof types etc.
Kim, Mike thanks, I understand what you mean. I don't have a site etc yet. I'm busy running another business right now and using current customer homes as ginea pigs