Some of our more recent work - Certified SoftWash Roof Cleaning

Matt Lancaster · SoftWash Systems Pro Staff

Some of our more recent work

Josh Scavetta · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

nice house great job.... hey Matt how do you go about obtaining high end jobs like that.

Michael Hickey · Junior Member

Matt,

What is the art of cold weather cleaning. I am especially interested because we deal with a lot of slate roofs and we are struggling at the moment.

Michael

Matt Lancaster · SoftWash Systems Pro Staff

Josh I have been in the roofing biz for 30 years. Now its starting to get out that I have started a new "thing" I was referred to this homeowner from the roofing co that did the job. I have found that roofing companies are good to align with they don't want to get involved with what I'm doing and they get a lot of calls for what we do. You need to be careful about what knowledge you share and if they ask to many questions I tend to walk away. Competition is good but not in excess.

As for the cold weather we have been adding 2 oz 0f "fresh and clean" to a 2-3% mix its working well at 40 degrees and rising well see this week when it will max out at 40.

Gutter cleaning: I typically use F-13 or Gutter Zap , Talked with the manufacturer of F-13 and they told me 60deg and rising or it will NOT work they suggested heating the gutter with hot water power washer, I do not own one yet so this option is out. Gutter Zap said to mix with hot water and it should still work I have not tried that yet but I will try that this week. Basically we are scheduling chemical gutter cleanings for spring.

-- Edited by Matt L on Sunday 25th of November 2012 10:52:23 AM

Hank Timmermann · Junior Member

Matt,

Nice work and some great info. Thanks.

Hank

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Matt i have not had to use the Sh booster yet this yr. We cleaned just around 30,000 sq ft of roof between last weekend and yesterday. Everything cleaned up nice and it took alittle time but it worked. We also softwashed 26,000 sq ft of siding and dryvit with no problem as well. I'll post pics after the rain we get on tuesday.

Brian Friel · Sophmore Member

Matt L wrote:
Josh I have been in the roofing biz for 30 years. Now its starting to get out that I have started a new "thing" I was referred to this homeowner from the roofing co that did the job. I have found that roofing companies are good to align with they don't want to get involved with what I'm doing and they get a lot of calls for what we do. You need to be careful about what knowledge you share and if they ask to many questions I tend to walk away. Competition is good but not in excess.
As for the cold weather we have been adding 2 oz 0f "fresh and clean" to a 2-3% mix its working well at 40 degrees and rising well see this week when it will max out at 40.
Gutter cleaning: I typically use F-13 or Gutter Zap , Talked with the manufacturer of F-13 and they told me 60deg and rising or it will NOT work they suggested heating the gutter with hot water power washer, I do not own one yet so this option is out. Gutter Zap said to mix with hot water and it should still work I have not tried that yet but I will try that this week. Basically we are scheduling chemical gutter cleanings for spring.

-- Edited by Matt L on Sunday 25th of November 2012 10:52:23 AM

Matt,

We cleaned a few sets of gutters last week using F-13 and the temps were in the 40's when we did them. It is just like the roof mix. It just takes a little longer to clean, but it does work.

I have cleaned roofs when the temps reached a high of 35 with no special additives. You just have to be patient. Sometimes we use hot water in the roof mix to speed things up. The biggest concern about cold temperatures is the water freezing on walkways around the house. The green wash will certainly speed up the cleaning as well. TSP also seems to help.

Most of my high end jobs come from the internet or referrals. We completed 20 to 30 homes that were over 6,000 square feet this year. Those people all tell their friends. They all travel in the same circles.

Brian

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Brian,

TSP is Tri-Sodium Phosphate. It contains phosphates which are not biodegradable and are also pollutants and violate the Clean Water Act. If you are trying to stay GREEN try dropping that product from your mix.

Let's discuss this issue here, http://softwashsystems.activeboard.com/t51687204/tsp-tri-sodium-phosphate/

AC

-- Edited by AC Lockyer on Monday 26th of November 2012 06:38:01 AM

Matt Lancaster · SoftWash Systems Pro Staff

The big benefit I found from the "fresh and clean" was not a time reducer but I was able to reduce the SH and get the results of a stronger mix.

Time is definately a factor it does take longer in the cold as we are learning. I stay true to what Ive learned from AC im not trying to re invent the wheel just lookin for the "tricks " of the trade im not about to go addin chemicals I am not familiar with or have not had some Professional gudiance on. IE, TSP even the phosphate free version. Green wash has been all Ive used since day 1 and its not broke so I dont see any changes coming, I Like green wash so much I asked AC TO MAKE ME AIRFRESHENERS FOR MY TRUCK ahhh THE SMELL OF $$$$$...

As for the F13 it has been dormant for me the results stopped cold! time, strength elbow grease no result.. The zap finished that job but it was a very stong mix and i worry about damaging the gutters. I spoke with a guy at F13 and he told me that it does not work at 40 degrees he also told me its stronger at 50;1 then it is straight from the tub. thought that was interesting. Its currently 22 deg in Qtown and Im going to do a roof i did half of in the spring for an advertising scheme ill see how we do in real cold.

Thank you all for the knowledge, your input is respected and valuable to a beginer as myself .

Hank Timmermann · Junior Member

Matt,

Go for it. You'll have a high of 45 degrees today down your way. Beware snow is on it's way according to the weatherman up here in the Poconos. Let us know your results.

Hank