Pressure Washing Guide

Midwestpro · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 8:29 pm Post subject: Roof Cleaner

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, Owens Corning, and GAF recommend using a mix of bleach, trisodium phosphate and water to clean shingles suffering from roof algae.

The severity of the algae will depend on the strength needed but it can range from 1 cup of TSP, 1 gallon of bleach, and 4 gallons of water to 1 cup of TSP, 2.5 gallons of bleach, and 2.5 gallons of water.

They recommend applying it with a low pressure application, like a pump up sprayer or something similar. Allow the solution to dwell for 15-20 minutes before rinsing with a garden hose. Re-apply if needed.

A-PLUS · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 9:51 pm Post subject:

The key to this is you will have to walk the roof. If you have a fear of
heights or the pitch of your roof is to steep, do not attempt this.

I know there are a lot of DIYer's out there like that to do things on
their own, but do not take a chance of hurting yourself or worse.

Hire an experienced roof cleaning contractor if you fall into the first catagory.

Midwestpro · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 1:26 pm Post subject:

Great point! Working on the roof or from a ladder is very dangerous. These surfaces will also become very slick from the solution and dead algae, making it even more treacherous.

Working with with these chemicals is also hazardous. Be sure to wear protective gloves and safety glasses as well as the proper respirator.

Care must also be taken with your landscaping and plants. Remember, you are killing a plant (algae) on the roof so you must take precautions so no harm is done to your shrubbery.

There is a lot to be aware of and to understand when it comes to roof cleaning and although someone can make up their own cleaning recipe, it really is best left to a professional roof cleaning company.

Jeff Byrne · Joined: 27 Jan 2009 Posts: 5 Location: Indian River MI.

Do you guys try to wear gloves while cleaning the roof and transfering chems? If so what kind do you wear and how do they hold up?

Midwestpro · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:47 am Post subject:

In the past I tried expensive gloves but found they were too hot and left heat rash on my arms. Also, even though they had the bacterial fighting stuff built into them, they still started to smell after a couple of uses.

Now I just use cheap disposable latex gloves, like the light blue ones that doctors wear. I had several boxes given to me a couple of years ago and I'm still using them up.

They do well for spraying chemicals on roofs and decks, but don't hold up very well for heavier hand work like cleaning the insides of gutters.

Jeff Byrne · Joined: 27 Jan 2009 Posts: 5 Location: Indian River MI.

I do the same!! I tried at the end of the season wearing the cheap latex and then wearing the rubber coated jersey type gloves over them and it seem to work good. When I started cleaning roofs I did not wear any and my hands were taking a beating.

sealerguy · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 6:57 pm Post subject:

A few of the roof guys here are using a 12% sodium hypoclorite, which is found at pool supply stores, enabling them to inject it from the edge of the roof.