Metal Roof Cleaning - Certified SoftWash Roof Cleaning

Laurie Benjamin · Lead Tech Certified

Metal Roof Cleaning

Ryan Freidline · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Painted metal I presume? SH, Dawn, and a soft bristle brush.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Good suggestion Ryan.

AC

Laurie Benjamin · Lead Tech Certified

Dawn?....about that sh .....I am sure that customer would say why are we using bleach....lol...did this job once and before I entered the premises the customer asked if I was going to use bleach....I said no its tsp......I had to put the bleach back in the truck...
That's why I can't wait on my green wash so it would mask the scent but untill then I think that would b a no no..

Ryan Freidline · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

What you call bleach-I call Sodium Hypochlorite, and there is a difference. When you say bleach to a cleaner they know EXACTLY what you're talking about. When you say bleach to a customer they THINK they know Exactly what your talking about.
When you sell Soft Washing or Pressure Washing, or small candy beads and necklaces, then you need to act as if you're the pro and know exactly what your talking about, for instance:

Customer: "Yer not gonna use any bleach, are ya....?"

Me: I will be using a sodium hypochlorite based solution and other detergents that are non-toxic, and environmentally safe.

Customer: "Is that fancy talkin' fer bleach?"

Me: No its much stronger than what you use for bleach in your house. That's why we are trained and highly skilled to do what we do... Would you like a free demonstration, besides.....We haven't killed anything in years (laughing)

I don't know what else to tell you; if you are trying to clean you need to kill the organics and use a degreaser of some sort so it will release from whatever substrate you're cleaning. The (2) chems I mentioned you can pick up tomorrow while you wait for your other stuff to arrive.

sorry if my tone seems condescending, it's late and I should go to bed *yawn :0

Ryan Freidline · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

P.S. Fill out your signature. please.

Laurie Benjamin · Lead Tech Certified

Condicending? No sir, its a learning process and we are not kids in here.
Ok so its sh then but I don't have bleach wash to remove the harmful residue.is that not going to be a problem on this metal job.
Signature? I would look into that..
Ateam mentioned dawn...is that regular diswashing soap..
What is my mix ratio and proceedure for this job?
I guess I would have to carry my plastic to cover delicate areas..and what do I do about that bleach smell that I know they are going to complain about...

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Laurie,

Dont use plastic to cover plants. You can use just large amounts of water to rinse the metal roof. It isn't the same as bleach wash but it will finish off the job nicely in a pinch.

AC

Laurie Benjamin · Lead Tech Certified

Understood....
I have not reached the mixology module yet so I would need some information on how to mix...I also had some other concerns in the poast before..the roof is onle 1500 square Ft but at a dangerous slope »60degrees

Laurie Benjamin · Lead Tech Certified

Just started the mixing module and one of the first donts is dawn and bleach...huh? Can someone explain.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

All Aspects Ltd wrote:
Just started the mixing module and one of the first donts is dawn and bleach...huh? Can someone explain.

Yes that was reccomended to you as a fix for your situation not as your "Go To" Ryan just wanted to give you a suggestion for something he could be reasonably sure you would have on the island.

AC

Laurie Benjamin · Lead Tech Certified

Ok but would it mask the smell and how much do I put?

Ryan Freidline · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

It will not likely mask the smell....I would use 1-2 ounces per gallon. You could try simple green and SH-that might mask the smell more (I have not personally used this, but Simple green is a degreaser so it makes sense.)

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Simple Green will make it smell mnty.

AC

Mark Fermoyle · Lead Tech Certified

Will Simple Green deteriorate the SH like Dawn will?

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Not sure. I have never tried the two together.

AC

Laurie Benjamin · Lead Tech Certified

Detoriate ...that does not sound like a good word...is that the word you want to use....I located the simple green and it s a brand... Which product of theirs are you all referring too?

Ryan Freidline · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Simple Green- Its green and in hardware stores.
Deteriorate- active ingredients when mixed together will sometimes break each other down making them ineffective. To avoid this; mix your chemicals at the job.

Laurie Benjamin · Lead Tech Certified

Ok I got it at a chem shop...
A few questions ... What's the mixture?
I did a little trail on concrete this weekend with the ch, now there is a chalky residue, what could I have done wrong ?
Could it be that I did not agitate it enough?..

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Laurie,

Calcium Hypochlorite (powder bleach) will not completely dissolve and will leave a residue at times. Just allow mother nature and rain to rinse it away. If you dont have good access to sodium hypochlorite (liquid bleach) you will need to deal with this slight negative.

AC

Laurie Benjamin · Lead Tech Certified

So ch is a no no on metal roofs or is it that it would require heavy rincing cause I never see it until it dries

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Laurie,

I prob wouldnt use it on colored roofs, however if you explain the residue to the customer and they know what to expect I would have no issue using CH on any roof material and or color.

AC

Laurie Benjamin · Lead Tech Certified

Well today i got a chance to do some closet chemistry and Ryan, you were right..I did a mixture of the SG and Sh 6.5%(the highest i could get) , i did a calculation of 1/100* x from the mixology chart and got the quantities for a litre bottle and tried it on concrete where i purposely let moss grow for my sampling. It worked ok on the concrete but poor on the gutters, it removed the mold but not the black stains...however i did a second mixture with SG and Ch and that was the bomb on concrete, it had the same effect as AC's videos on the roof...same chalky residue but it worked! I am still shaky about the metal roof i have carded for this weekend though.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Great news!

Laurie Benjamin · Lead Tech Certified

Gotcha... AC, are you gonna send me any forms that was mentioned in the module.. sent you the details in an Email.. I have no problem with taking no for an answer but with no reply i am not sure if to move on to another option.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Laurie,

There are already some on the community. Ill review your e mail shortly. Been very busy with a 4 day a week client.

AC

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Laurie,

Lets keep this thread pure to metal roof cleaning. If you have another question please start another thread.

Thanks,

AC

Laurie Benjamin · Lead Tech Certified

Well well, I am finaly home and the job is done... I must say that I aint using ch anytime soon on a metal roof... If was as if frosty came to the Caribbean.... I had to resort to my 12inch whir to finish the job. hope it goes away Like ac Said.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

AC Lockyer wrote:
Laurie,

Calcium Hypochlorite (powder bleach) will not completely dissolve and will leave a residue at times. Just allow mother nature and rain to rinse it away. If you dont have good access to sodium hypochlorite (liquid bleach) you will need to deal with this slight negative.

AC

Yes it is reccomended to use SH on a metal roof. Though you have to use what you have on hand at times. Pix look good though. Mildew is gone!

AC

Laurie Benjamin · Lead Tech Certified

I know that but I really was shaky with the customers pants so I backed out of the sh .... When I ger my green wash text week I would use what I learnt in the modules.... I told her that I soul be back next week or so to see if the problem still exist.... If it does, can I hit it with some bleach wash? Another thing, if the chemicals are bio degradeabe then how come its more potent the next day?

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Its more potent due to the chemicals concentraiting from the moisture being evaporated from the solution. Biodegradtion happens in less than 20 days.

AC

Laurie Benjamin · Lead Tech Certified

Great....thanks again for your support in my endevours ...

Laurie Benjamin · Lead Tech Certified

Did another roof today and this time I left my surface cleaner at home...I used a 3% according to P's spread sheet....everything went ok.. untill my pw which I was using to rince stoped working.. Now what?....with my back against the wall I quickly filled a spare tank I have with water: blead my chemical back into the chem tank and droped my in hose into the fresh water and started to spray....I then realised that the pressure from my dual pump was sufficient to wash away to mold....:)......wow!....
Certain parts bleached clear and others got a ugly orange but they all were able to be washed away with minimum Pressure.. I am back tomorrow to do the gutter and undersiding.
I AM JUST TAKING THIS TIME OUT TO BIG UP(Trini style) AC for the modules and advice...Paul and Bill @ the power wash store for the very adaptable dual pump....Pelican for the very usefully spreadsheet and everyone else in here.....we can only be as strong as the weakest link...
GO SOFTWASH GO.....!

WOULD TRY TO PUT UP SOME PICTURES AFTER JOB IS COMPLETED.