How would you wash this roof - Certified SoftWash Roof Cleaning

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

How would you wash this roof

Zach Maynard · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Should be easy enough, put a ladder up against the lower roof from behind the big tree in the picture. Then walk up towards the high section. Try to find a tie off point though, and make sure when you go back down that it will still be safe to do so. Some algae like moss and lichen can be very slippery.
I have never needed a lift, and hopefully never will.

Ray Burke · Community Member

Problem with the left is you're going to mess up their beautiful lawn. I would do it off of 32 foot ladder

AC Lockyer · Administrator

People get killed in lifts every day.

AC

Eric Seitz · Sophmore Member

32 ft ladder.

Tim Teed · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

a ladder leaned against left gable, and spraying with a zero degree tip should reach

Doug Rucker · UAMCC Officer

Often times there is a spot in the back that will allow you to walk up to the ridge and spray downwards.

John Aloisio · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

Jeff,

we would use the valley to get up to the high ridge and fan the solution down with the slope about half way and the hit the bottom half from a 32' ladder. with a steep enough pitch, the chemicals from the ridge usually make it all the way dorotor the gutter. You might just need a little touch up or a second coat the stained areas. It will help if you do this on a day that is not windy.

Dan Dykstra · Senior Member

Jeff,
Seems that we have many roofs like that here in Michigan. Lots of peaks, valleys, gables and high pitch roofs. It's always something I look at when doing a quote, how will I access the roof, can I spray it all from the gound or the ladder. If I have to get on the roof, where is the best place to place the ladder to gain access.
If you do not yet have the ladder stand off from AC I recommend you get one. I have one of his and a couple of Home Depot ones, the one from AC is so much better in every aspect, even with the 40 footer extended all the way the stand off keeps it very sturdy.

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

Thanks guys,

These are the types of roofs I'm used to doing currently, easy and low risk....those peaks in the original attachment are pretty intimidating to me right now. You guys are actually just jumping up there and walking to the top? The walk up on some of these pitches I can handle, it's getting back down and onto the ladder on those pitches that concerns me. For sure ladder work would be preferable over roof walking for me anyway. I'll also need to learn more about safety ropes and how to use them to traverse down a steep pitch as well.

Do any of the modules specifically address these types of roofs and how to go about setting up to clean them?

Eric Seitz · Sophmore Member

Just stay on the ladder and don't walk them! 99% of the roofs we do all can be done from a ladder.

Tim Teed · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

Our longest ladder is 32'. We can reach any residential application using a ladder stabilizer. The biggest challenges are reaching the tops of stucco chimneys. You can always use a 20 extension pole and have 20' hose and zip tie to help you reach the heights.

Danny Cronauer · SoftWash Systems Certified

Eric Seitz wrote:
Just stay on the ladder and don't walk them! 99% of the roofs we do all can be done from a ladder.

Eric's advice is spot on. The roof shown in the picture is easy. Put up a 32fter twice on both gables. Use the stabilizers. 0 Tip will reach that whole roof. As Tim mentioned if need be make your self an extension.

Do not walk on that roof!

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

Good advice. I was hoping the replies were "don't walk on that roof", I was curious to see if you guys were all part mountain goat smile

Time to invest in a 32' ladder.

-- Edited by Jeff Thompson on Monday 20th of May 2013 07:57:42 AM

Danny Cronauer · SoftWash Systems Certified

Jeff Thompson wrote:
Good advice. I was hoping the replies were "don't walk on that roof", I was curious to see if you guys were all part mountain goat

Time to invest in a 32' ladder.

-- Edited by Jeff Thompson on Monday 20th of May 2013 07:57:42 AM

Go with aluminum, I have a 32ft fiberglass and they get tough.

John Aloisio · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

Jeff,

We try to hit roofs like that from the ladder, but with the winds around here lately it has become wasteful and time consuming. Most of the time we do get up on these roof, but 80% of my guys are ex-roofers, and that helps.

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

Thanks for all the suggestions in this thread.

The day to do the roof arrived, and with your advice I was able to do the job in a professional and confident manner. I've done roofs in the past, but this was much bigger and more difficult than I was used to.

I only had one item that is bothering me, but maybe this happens on occasions. At the very highest point of the roof, way in the back I was just not able to reach it. There was may a 2'x2" area not treated. I got to the highest and closest point my ladder would take me, added a 6' extension and was still short. I suppose I could go an 8' or 10' extension, but the 6' I had made balancing on the ladder and handling a swaying extension a little difficult.....longer would have been more difficult to manage.

Am I missing something in my toolbox or do we just accept the fact that sometimes there is an area we can't get to. If she didn't have so many shrubs and trees in the front I could have had access, but it wasn't going to happen.

John Smith · Lead Tech Certified

I built the home depo gun, with a zero tip i can shoot 28 feet, not sure how far up the spot is. Better to be safe than have a broken leg.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Jeff Thompson wrote:
Thanks for all the suggestions in this thread.
The day to do the roof arrived, and with your advice I was able to do the job in a professional and confident manner. I've done roofs in the past, but this was much bigger and more difficult than I was used to.
I only had one item that is bothering me, but maybe this happens on occasions. At the very highest point of the roof, way in the back I was just not able to reach it. There was may a 2'x2" area not treated. I got to the highest and closest point my ladder would take me, added a 6' extension and was still short. I suppose I could go an 8' or 10' extension, but the 6' I had made balancing on the ladder and handling a swaying extension a little difficult.....longer would have been more difficult to manage.
Am I missing something in my toolbox or do we just accept the fact that sometimes there is an area we can't get to. If she didn't have so many shrubs and trees in the front I could have had access, but it wasn't going to happen.

Something new for the tool box for sure!

http://softwashsystems.activeboard.com/t54376484/new-softwash-systems-pole-gun/

AC