SH vs CH - Certified SoftWash Roof Cleaning

Gary P Gelatt · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

SH vs CH

Eric Seitz · Sophmore Member

We use SH as it seems easy to work with. JMHO.

Matt Jennemann · Junior Member

Gary the only downside to ch that I've come across is mixing when cold. kinda like making sweet tea when the water starts to cool down it takes longer to mix in. Other than that the peace of mind with ch vs. sh with plant life is a great selling point with some homeowners that don't want "bleach" near there plants. I started with ch and will keep using it because of the added plant protection, cost in my area over sh, almost indefinite shelf life, and ability to carry much more ch than sh on the truck w/o getting your cdl. Also I store mine at home since my business is ran from there and having 4 kids I like having 100 lbs. containers of ch stacked beside my 66 fairlane where the kids no not to be as opposed to a 250 gallon tote in the garage that looks like an aluminum jungle gym and takes a fork truck to move around. I run a twin pump setup and mix ch in my 35 gallon tank let settle, then transfer to my 65 gallon tank for final mixing before using and this get rid of most of the residue along with using the sock strainer trick. sorry so long.....

Gary P Gelatt · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Thanks for the input. But are there any surfaces that the SH just outperforms the CH on?

Tim Teed · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

Much harder to mix CH when it is cold. It takes longer. It will even take longer with the twin pump system. When AC has the CH filtration pack ready it will be less of an issue. I have a twin pump and a softwash rig. If there is any way to buy a softwash rig at Softwashapalooza with AC's specials, I would buy one. It is much quicker and a more professional set-up. You can take advantage of the authorized when ready. You should be able to generate a much higher sell price with AC's system - (not just the equipment). Focus on creating extra benefits for customer which allows you to charge a higher price - less focus on cost. Feel free to give me a call.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Don't use CH unless you have one of our SoftWash Systems Cradle Skids. Other systems need many modifications to use CH.

AC

Brandon Vaughn · SoftWash Systems Pro Staff

I use CH exclusively Gary. Feel free to give me a call as well.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Gary P Gelatt wrote:
Thanks for the input. But are there any surfaces that the SH just outperforms the CH on?

brick is better with SH. CH sticks to brick.

AC

Ray Burke · Community Member

Not to Blow AC's horn, but since he was THE industry innovator in using CH, I don't think I would buy any other systems except for HIS cradle skid for using CH. It wasn't an overnight design, nor simply a copy of another company's unit. He has spent YEARS developing the proper was to mix and use CH.

It would be kind of like choosing between a real Ferrari and a kit car Ferrari. One may look good and drive, but only the real one is going to give you great results.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Thanks Ray.

The biggest things to watch for is silt. CH even when dissolved creates a tremendous amount of silt. This settles at the bottom of your mix tank after blending and is often sucked up into your pump and onto the surface you are trying to clean. Once it attaches to the surface it is very difficult to remove. If you don't have a SoftWash Systems Cradle Skid here are some modifications you can make to your system to use CH.

1. Add a valve system to bypass some of your pumps flow back into your mix tank to keep the mix turbid and limit sediment settling to the bottom of the tank.
2. OR.... add a second pump to achieve this.
3. Pre mix CH in a second tank and bleed off the CH silt onsite then pump over the good bleach to the mix tank.
4. Add extra Green Wash to your mix to ensure that whatever CH does settle onto a surface doesn't stick and can easily be rinsed off.
5. Use a CH catilist. Lower concentrations of CH have less silt and strength management will allow for better silt management.
6. Proper spraying techniques. Technique allows for treating roofs without sag lines and over-spray. This makes CH use less evident. Also proper spray technique allows for better penetration of the chems and allowing air to enter the reaction getting quicker bleaching. (This is the biggest mistake I see EVERYWHERE I travel. Poor technique abounds.)
7. You can also add a CH filtration system. These will be available at Softwashapolooza 2014 in Orlando for cash and carry. (see pix)

Thanks,

AC