Bleach Wash on a roof - Certified SoftWash Roof Cleaning

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

Bleach Wash on a roof

Tim Teed · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

Sometimes that happens when not enough plantwash was used.Really soak the plants with plantwash. I don't rinse roof because I want the cleaner to soak in well. The only areas I sometimes have challenges is at the downspout, and that is fairly minor. The key is to manage expectations. Tell the customer there might be some yellowing because of the volume of cleaner, even though it is dilluted. The grass will comeback. spray a lot of plantwash at downspout, and put down some dehydrated cow manure and granulated gypsum in the potential area and rake into soil if it is a well maintained yard or a picky homeowner. We started augmenting with CH and that helps.

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

Thanks guys. Knew there was a reason.

-- Edited by Jeff Thompson on Sunday 21st of April 2013 12:09:21 PM

Bill Booz · Junior Member

It's the salt not the chlorine. If the rain can't dilute the salt enough some grass will die. Minimizing your amount of spray helps this situation.

Bill Booz · Junior Member

Good info Tim! Also you want the chlorine gas to release before it rinses to the ground.

Vic Irish · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Great question, Jeff.

I thought the same thing, and am going to try to paraphrase what I think AC said in LA last August.

This should help me articulate to future customers, so here goes...

If you were to treat your house for termites, you wouldn't turn around and wash it off, would you?

It's the same way here. Spray the roof, and kill the algae, mold, milder, moss and lichens.

You want to let it set. Nature will eventually wash it off.

The key to preventing damage to foliage is:

1). Watering before the treatment (so plants aren't thirsty).

2). Blocking the downspout and filling the gutter with water so it will dilute on the original treatment.

3). Spraying the plants and ground with Plant Wash.

4). Make sure the customer knows they need to keep the areas that dewfall may affect watered for at least 2 weeks.

I hope this helps, and welcome any constructive criticisms.

I am not an expert. Just need to know what I'm talking about, before I venture into the wonderful world of soft washing sales and cleaning.

Thanks in advance for any corrections or additions...

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

Looks like you got it Vic. Most of the damage from run off occurs to plants where the home has no gutters, the mix runs right off the roof onto the plants below. While you are there you of course are watering the vegetation and there should be no issues, but you have no control over a rain that come through afterwards or the morning dew that drips off the edge. In Michigan I don't really see to many houses without gutters, so my main concern is the discharge from the downspouts.....that is why #4 in your list above is important. The customer needs to help keep their plants alive as well.

I concentrate on the downspouts and flood the area while the spout is actively draining, as well as put a lot of plant wash down when I am done.

Vic Irish · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Thank you, Jeff.

Good point about not all houses have gutters.

I guess in that case we need to make sure everything is a safe distance from the roof. Of course that should be done with gutters, too, come to think of it.

Great point on on the ground man watering vegetation (and keeping glass wet) at the same time the roof is being cleaned, also.

It may sound like I'm over thinking this, but 'tis better to be safe than sorry, right?

What am I missing?

Thanks, again!

Zach Maynard · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

The 3 D's
Divert, Dilute and Decontaminate!

Matt Jennemann · Junior Member

Try using the nerf football technique and gutter cane , but I try to use strictly ch and that drops your risk of killing plant life to an extreme minimum. (my 2 cents) For what it's worth... Wait for AC's 2 cents cuz there worth a million!