Pool Shock? - Certified SoftWash Roof Cleaning

Peter Blau · Sophmore Member

Pool Shock?

Peter Blau · Sophmore Member

AC Lockyer wrote:
Use 68 - 72% CH though. More punch less residue.

AC

So CH is pool shock? It would seem at this percentage straight CH is more potent than pool shock. As of right now this seems like a great way to go. And it's a plus that the issue of plant damage is greatly reduced.

Why would a higher concentrate of CH produce less residue?

AC how do you deal with the residue issue?

Does CH have a long shelf life?

Is there a supplier that will ship it?

I know, lotta questions

-- Edited by CEC on Tuesday 20th of November 2012 09:49:21 AM

John Smith · Lead Tech Certified

Thus far I have only used CH for reasons I have mentioned in the past. I find that knowing I will not kill one blade of grass helps me sleep at night. I don't know how much plant wash you guys use but it is, in it's self, a step. As far as residue, The stronger I mix it the more I have but it rinses right off. I plan to try SH in the spring and If I like it then I will use the plant wash too.

I can only assume that mixing Sh and water takes less time. For those considering suplimenting and or switching to CH keep in mind you have to aggitate the %*$# out of it. I find making a 4% ( 200 oz / 9 scoops of the provided 25 oz scooper to make 50 gallons ) I aggitate for 20-30 minutes with a drill.
No running out to get a small fill up of sh to finish the job, I just open the bucket and start mixing, but it is time added to the job in the end.

So far I have had great results with using only ch. In one of AC's vidieos found on youtube he mentions that you can carry 2-3 weeks worth of ch on your truck without any dot hoopla for carrying to much SH at one time on your rig. Just something to think about.

Pool shock: I had my buddy in Indiana mix a small 3% batch with some pool shock he had, he cleaned his siding with it, no residue was mentioned, and he used a pump up sprayer, Meaning he didnt downstream through his pressure washer.

-- Edited by John Smith on Tuesday 20th of November 2012 03:50:40 PM

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

No it dosent rinse off easily. Stick to SH and you will be fine. You should have no problem getting it. Try buckmans. Please do not over think this business. Use the basics and build off of that.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

CEC wrote:
Has anybody tossed the idea of using pool shock? I had a crazy thought this morning because we have a pool which my wife takes care of. And for some reason I thought of pool shock. So I checked out the ingrediants and it seems like it would be a good idea.
Ingrediants:
52% Calcium Hypochlorite
48% Other Ingrediants
49% Minimum Available Chlorine
I was also reading on other threads about calcium hypochlorite and the residue it leaves behind. Does it rinsed off easily?

Using CH takes some training but the benifits are HUGE. We will be having a lab on using CH at Softwashapolooza as well as cleaning a shingle roof with is as well as other surfaces. Then you can judge if you want to use it or not. I have used it successfully for over two years now and personally love it.

AC

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Use 68 - 72% CH though. More punch less residue.

AC

Peter Blau · Sophmore Member

michael derose wrote:
No it dosent rinse off easily. Stick to SH and you will be fine. You should have no problem getting it. Try buckmans. Please do not over think this business. Use the basics and build off of that.

I ask because I don't clean roofs and siding everyday. And I don't have the need to keep large batches of SH. I understand the strength of SH breaks down quickly. That's one of the primary reasons for considering the use of CH. And also the fact that it is not damaging to plants like SH. I'm just getting into this method of cleaning roofs, siding etc. and just want to be wise in going about it.

Peter Blau · Sophmore Member

AC Lockyer wrote:
CEC wrote:
Has anybody tossed the idea of using pool shock? I had a crazy thought this morning because we have a pool which my wife takes care of. And for some reason I thought of pool shock. So I checked out the ingrediants and it seems like it would be a good idea.
Ingrediants:
52% Calcium Hypochlorite
48% Other Ingrediants
49% Minimum Available Chlorine
I was also reading on other threads about calcium hypochlorite and the residue it leaves behind. Does it rinsed off easily?
Using CH takes some training but the benifits are HUGE. We will be having a lab on using CH at Softwashapolooza as well as cleaning a shingle roof with is as well as other surfaces. Then you can judge if you want to use it or not. I have used it successfully for over two years now and personally love it.
AC

AC will you eventually put that into a module?

Peter Blau · Sophmore Member

AC Lockyer wrote:
CEC wrote:
Has anybody tossed the idea of using pool shock? I had a crazy thought this morning because we have a pool which my wife takes care of. And for some reason I thought of pool shock. So I checked out the ingrediants and it seems like it would be a good idea.
Ingrediants:
52% Calcium Hypochlorite
48% Other Ingrediants
49% Minimum Available Chlorine
I was also reading on other threads about calcium hypochlorite and the residue it leaves behind. Does it rinsed off easily?
Using CH takes some training but the benifits are HUGE. We will be having a lab on using CH at Softwashapolooza as well as cleaning a shingle roof with is as well as other surfaces. Then you can judge if you want to use it or not. I have used it successfully for over two years now and personally love it.
AC

You don't use SH anymore?

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

why would you want to deal with another step ( residue) when you can just use the plant wash and walk away.

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

I have used sh that sat around for 3 months and it worked perfect even using the same mix ratios

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

i can tell you in that 20-30 min you took to mix that i just cleaned a full roof in that time.
For me its about moving from job to job and making profit. I have my guys premix in the morning and they are good for the day until they run out. I carry 100 gallons of sh on my trailer and then i have another 100 gallon mix tank for spraying. The plant wash step is incorporated into the actuall water process thru the whole job ( being applied as we finish up).

Danny Cronauer · SoftWash Systems Certified

michael derose wrote:
i can tell you in that 20-30 min you took to mix that i just cleaned a full roof in that time.
For me its about moving from job to job and making profit. I have my guys premix in the morning and they are good for the day until they run out. I carry 100 gallons of sh on my trailer and then i have another 100 gallon mix tank for spraying. The plant wash step is incorporated into the actuall water process thru the whole job ( being applied as we finish up).

I like how you do business.

John Smith · Lead Tech Certified

So how many 30 minute roofs do you get done in a day? I might switch sooner

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

If we are just doing roofs. I can have 3-4 done before 1pm. Now most of my jobs include a house wash and other things like concrete,pavers or whatever else so we usuallly do 3-5 jobs a day during the busy season. average day for the yr is 3 jobs with an average of 790.00 per job.

Peter Blau · Sophmore Member

michael derose wrote:
I have used sh that sat around for 3 months and it worked perfect even using the same mix ratios

Really. Nice. Mike thanks that helps a great deal. It's great to learn from those with the experience. I was always warned about SH as the longer it sits around it loses it's potentcy.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

CEC wrote:
AC Lockyer wrote:
CEC wrote:
Has anybody tossed the idea of using pool shock? I had a crazy thought this morning because we have a pool which my wife takes care of. And for some reason I thought of pool shock. So I checked out the ingrediants and it seems like it would be a good idea.
Ingrediants:
52% Calcium Hypochlorite
48% Other Ingrediants
49% Minimum Available Chlorine
I was also reading on other threads about calcium hypochlorite and the residue it leaves behind. Does it rinsed off easily?
Using CH takes some training but the benifits are HUGE. We will be having a lab on using CH at Softwashapolooza as well as cleaning a shingle roof with is as well as other surfaces. Then you can judge if you want to use it or not. I have used it successfully for over two years now and personally love it.
AC
AC will you eventually put that into a module?

Yes and we will be also teaching this at Softwashapolooza.

AC

AC Lockyer · Administrator

CEC wrote:
AC Lockyer wrote:
Use 68 - 72% CH though. More punch less residue.

AC
So CH is pool shock? It would seem at this percentage straight CH is more potent than pool shock. As of right now this seems like a great way to go. And it's a plus that the issue of plant damage is greatly reduced.
Why would a higher concentrate of CH produce less residue?
AC how do you deal with the residue issue?
Does CH have a long shelf life?
Is there a supplier that will ship it?
I know, lotta questions

-- Edited by CEC on Tuesday 20th of November 2012 09:49:21 AM

A higher concentrait has less fillers. The fillers are water hardeners. That is what causes the residue.

Knowing how not to over mix as well as raising the Green Wash in the mix to keep the water hardeners in suspension.

Yes it can last up to 10 months sealed.

Yes you can have it shipped in 100 lb kegs from most chemical supplies.

I like questions!

AC

AC Lockyer · Administrator

CEC wrote:
AC Lockyer wrote:
CEC wrote:
Has anybody tossed the idea of using pool shock? I had a crazy thought this morning because we have a pool which my wife takes care of. And for some reason I thought of pool shock. So I checked out the ingrediants and it seems like it would be a good idea.
Ingrediants:
52% Calcium Hypochlorite
48% Other Ingrediants
49% Minimum Available Chlorine
I was also reading on other threads about calcium hypochlorite and the residue it leaves behind. Does it rinsed off easily?
Using CH takes some training but the benifits are HUGE. We will be having a lab on using CH at Softwashapolooza as well as cleaning a shingle roof with is as well as other surfaces. Then you can judge if you want to use it or not. I have used it successfully for over two years now and personally love it.
AC
You don't use SH anymore?

Sure.

Though I dont clean very often and CH allows me to store bleach in my garage and use it on demand.

AC

Mark Fermoyle · Lead Tech Certified

Can't make it to the 2013 event, but really looking forward to seeing that CH module come out!!

Will there be a good section on dealing with the residue if and when it occurs????

Once mixed into suspension, what is the storage life?

Matt Lancaster · SoftWash Systems Pro Staff

Augmenting is in my arsanal as a steady, it has GREAT effects and when done properly rinsing is minimal or non existent . It also allows me to transport larger quantities....LEGALLY look at the DOT regs and then decide how much work straight SH can produce in 1 day versus augmnenting . I have not done a job with just CH but thats only for the simple reason that I know what Im doing works and my own house does not have stains to experiment on. Im a firm beliver in not trying to reinvent the wheel, coppying will make you wealthy faster

Do whatever it takes to get to SOFTWASHPOLOZA or if its impossible take modules on line, there is NO substitution for training and knowledge.! KNOWLEDGE is the new $$$

-- Edited by Matt L on Tuesday 8th of January 2013 02:50:18 PM

Mark Fermoyle · Lead Tech Certified

Hey Matt,

Thanks. I am currently in the process of the Lead-Tech curriculum. Learning a ton & luvin' it!! Hope to meet everyone next year at the 2014 event.

Dan Dykstra · Senior Member

I like the idea of the CH instead of the SH, and here in Michigan I can get the CH for less than the SH. After watching the roof cleaning using the CH at softwashapalooza and seeing the minumal amount of residue on the roof, I will be using this method more than SH. The benifits of using CH on a roof will far outweigh the little bit of residue left behind. I dont think there is a homeowner that would mind once it was explained to them. If it means 1 or 2 less roofs a week, so be it.

Gregg Austensen · Lead Tech Certified

Matt, Now that you've done a CH only cleaning at softwashapalooza what's your opinion? Is augmenting the way to go? Would you do straight CH if we could get a 100% available chlorine CH product? It was nice meeting you. Gregg

Bill · Freshmen Member

John Smith wrote:
Thus far I have only used CH for reasons I have mentioned in the past. I find that knowing I will not kill one blade of grass helps me sleep at night. I don't know how much plant wash you guys use but it is, in it's self, a step. As far as residue, The stronger I mix it the more I have but it rinses right off. I plan to try SH in the spring and If I like it then I will use the plant wash too.

I can only assume that mixing Sh and water takes less time. For those considering suplimenting and or switching to CH keep in mind you have to aggitate the %*$# out of it. I find making a 4% ( 200 oz / 9 scoops of the provided 25 oz scooper to make 50 gallons ) I aggitate for 20-30 minutes with a drill.
No running out to get a small fill up of sh to finish the job, I just open the bucket and start mixing, but it is time added to the job in the end.

So far I have had great results with using only ch. In one of AC's vidieos found on youtube he mentions that you can carry 2-3 weeks worth of ch on your truck without any dot hoopla for carrying to much SH at one time on your rig. Just something to think about.
Pool shock: I had my buddy in Indiana mix a small 3% batch with some pool shock he had, he cleaned his siding with it, no residue was mentioned, and he used a pump up sprayer, Meaning he didnt downstream through his pressure washer.

-- Edited by John Smith on Tuesday 20th of November 2012 03:50:40 PM

This hits close to my question. What is the percentage of Bleach created from 1 pound bag of pool shock in say 5 gallons of water? What is the simple formula for figuring this out? bleach)

Troy Layman · Lead Tech

Bill wrote:
This hits close to my question. What is the percentage of Bleach created from 1 pound bag of pool shock in say 5 gallons of water? What is the simple formula for figuring this out? bleach)

Bill, if your CH is in the 65-73% range, 1 measured dry ounce of CH per gallon of water yields 1% bleach. So if you dumped a 1 pound bag into 5 gallons of water that would be a touch over 3% bleach (something like 3.125% off the top of my head). Measure this by dry volume like you're measuring flour or sugar when cooking, not by ounces on a weight scale. So if you have a 50 gallon tank and need 3%, put in 3 X 50=150 ounces, or for 4% 4 X 50=200 ounces. 25 gallons of 1% is 25 ounces, etc. It gets really easy to figure out once you've done the math a time or two. Just make sure your ground person does a good job of keeping the house, windows, plants, deck and anything else that gets covered in over spray rinsed and you won't have any residue issues. If your ground person is slacking off, you'll know it.

I have been buying my CH from the Pool Supply World in 50 pound buckets and they ship to my door. If you choose standard ground shipping the shipping is free, and I usually got it in 2-3 days if I remember correctly. 50 pounds is currently $115 & 100 pounds (2 50 pound buckets) is $215. Although I was using pure CH for a while, I still ended up going back to using SH. If you get the residue rinsed while it is still wet it comes off easily. If it dries on a surface it is a lot harder and more time consuming to get off. I do keep CH around for times when I am running low on SH or have an extra job pop up while on a site. AC has a CH module that filters out the CH residue if you decide to go that route. I've never seen it in action so I don't know if it gets out so much residue that you won't get spots, or how much the filters cost or how often they need to be replaced, but if you fall in love with CH and do enough work, it may save you trips to buy SH if you don't have it shipped to you.

http://www.poolsupplyworld.com/PoolSupplyWorld-Cal-Hypo-Super-Strength-Pro-Pool-Shock-Buckets-73-Available-Chlorine/Cal-Hypo-Buckets.htm

-- Edited by Troy Layman on Sunday 24th of September 2017 12:36:52 PM

Gordon Caldwell · Freshmen Member

We use liquid pool shock all the time , says on the label 10% sodium hypochlorite , 90% other ingredients don't know what they are but cleans pretty good an haven't had any issues yet. lol

Troy Layman · Lead Tech

Good evening Gordon,

Below are the ingredients for 10% SH. So besides the SH, that 7.8% salt is roughly 3-6 X stronger than the salt content that is in Round Up weed killer. The Sodium Hydroxide helps boost the pH and increases the shelf life of the SH if I'm not mistaken.

10% Sodium Hypochlorite
7.8% Sodium Chloride (salt)
about 0.2% Sodium Hydroxide (lye)
82% water

That ~8% salt and sodium hydroxide is why SH burns so much when you get it in your eyes. <1% SH mix burns more than 4% CH mix. I've had 4% CH blow into my eye before and it feels pretty much the same as catching a raindrop in your eye.

Vic Irish · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Hi Troy! Long time!!

I am finally getting energy back and taking over where I left off a few years ago, but need to get some sauce.

SH costs more than $8 a gallon at pool store, so I'm going to get this for pool shock, but is it more like Pixy Dust?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mega-Shock-73-Calcium-Hypochlorite-Swimming-Pool-Oxidizer-Various-Quantities/272730674330?hash=item3f8003d49a:m:mBhko6DAb4cAZCFdN8HO5Tw

This Community is still an excellent resource, and thank you for keeping it open, AC!

Thanks to everybody in here. You can check back in, any time!!!

Peace out...

vic