Cedar Shake and bleach wash - Certified SoftWash Roof Cleaning

Doug G · Junior Member

Cedar Shake and bleach wash

Huey Miller · SoftWash Systems Authorized Professional

1/2 Oz per gallon

Tim Teed · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

If you are doing a large cedar roof, you should be $.65 - $1.00/sf Try to buy a 3/4 horse booster pump. There is so much rinsing, it speeds it up a lot. Get the gilmour sprayer that has the brass color dial on top and you can attach that to hose from booster pump and spray a long distance. You need volume of water to rinse.

Edward Yackenovich · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Doug, here is a video on the Gilmore....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKRNM16MSMs

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

you should really use oxalic to neutralize wood.

Doug G · Junior Member

Michael Derose wrote:
you should really use oxalic to neutralize wood.

Can you give details?

BTW......its cedar shingles and not shakes.

I'll upload pic's in a bit but I applied a 2% mix to 3 different areas and they were all barely affected. To be honest it was a bit embarrassing to have virtually nothing happen at all. My chem tank was dry so I couldn't add anymore SH. Funny thing was it was a 3% mix but I toned it down for the cedar shingles.

I'm assuming I'll need a stronger mix but everything I read said 1% - 1 1/2% mix

Eric Owen · SoftWash Systems Authorized Professional

Doug

Cedar roofs will take a lot of mix the last big roof I did took over 250gals of 2% and It required two days.
I was injecting terra wash and used about 6gal on that job and I charged 50 cents sq ft.

Invest in a booster pump it is a great time saver for rinsing, applying bleach wash, plant wash.

Dan Dykstra · Senior Member

Eric.
The price on cedar should be much higher than your regular roof price. I charge anywhere from 1.00 - 1.50 per sq foot on cedar roofs. They take much more chems and time. It is nothing to spend 4 days on one roof up here in my area.

I just booked one cedar roof that is 1500 sq and I am charging north of 4500 for it.

Eric Owen · SoftWash Systems Authorized Professional

Dan Dykstra wrote:

Eric.

The price on cedar should be much higher than your regular roof price. I charge anywhere from 1.00 - 1.50 per sq foot on cedar roofs. They take much more chems and time. It is nothing to spend 4 days on one roof up here in my area.

I just booked one cedar roof that is 1500 sq and I am charging north of 4500 for it.

. Dan the prices you get up your way are FL fantasy dream come true prices!!
Rock On Your The Man Lol!!

Bill Booz · Junior Member

This is why talking in percentage of free chlorine doesn't work. Your free% of available chlorine changes every day in your bulk SH. You probably thought you had 2% but it has weakened as bleach does so you really didn't. Also when you guys talk about available chlorine as % of mix do you mean by volume or by weight? Both are listed on the packing label. Also do you mean free chlorine or available chlorine? AS I already know most of you don't know what I'm talking about so maybe AC and you guys can give the % thing a break? It makes it a lot harder to explain things and probably keeps some people from bothering to figure it out and answer peoples questions, which is generally why I come here. I know I have skipped a few chances to help someone because I didn't have time to get past the % thing so we could talk about facts. % of free chlorine can only be measured by testing, so guessing at it is just that and assumptions are business killers. I don't deal in assumptions and guesswork. Let's stick with measurable facts.

-- Edited by Bill Booz on Sunday 6th of April 2014 07:56:48 PM

Doug G · Junior Member

Bill Booz wrote:
This is why talking in percentage of free chlorine doesn't work. Your free% of available chlorine changes every day in your bulk SH. You probably thought you had 2% but it has weakened as bleach does so you really didn't. Also when you guys talk about available chlorine as % of mix do you mean by volume or by weight? Both are listed on the packing label. Also do you mean free chlorine or available chlorine? AS I already know most of you don't know what I'm talking about so maybe AC and you guys can give the % thing a break? It makes it a lot harder to explain things and probably keeps some people from bothering to figure it out and answer peoples questions, which is generally why I come here. I know I have skipped a few chances to help someone because I didn't have time to get past the % thing so we could talk about facts. % of free chlorine can only be measured by testing, so guessing at it is just that and assumptions are business killers. I don't deal in assumptions and guesswork. Let's stick with measurable facts.

-- Edited by Bill Booz on Sunday 6th of April 2014 07:56:48 PM

So tell us or PM me on the right way. I'm willing to listen and want to learn more!

Bill Booz · Junior Member

The rest of the roof cleaning world just talks in percentages of SH to water or CH to water. % of chemical to % of water. My mixes tend to be 30% SH. That's part of why it gets confusing. No need to PM here brother. My goal is to educate people as a whole.

I wanted to add this too, when you buy 12.5% that is a packaging requirement. My 12.5% comes analyzed the day before I get it and it is usually 15.2-15.8% by volume available free chlorine. The tank they fill says it's 12.5%. 12.5% is the nice # they all came up with to say it's between 10-20%

Bill Booz · Junior Member

Here is my latest order analysis. You will see they call the product Liquichlor, 12.5% but it's almost 16% and the criteria for shipment is +-15%

Bill Booz · Junior Member

They test it every 6-8 months so I still don't know how strong it really is....

Eric Owen · SoftWash Systems Authorized Professional

Bill Booz wrote:

This is why talking in percentage of free chlorine doesn't work. Your free% of available chlorine changes every day in your bulk SH. You probably thought you had 2% but it has weakened as bleach does so you really didn't. Also when you guys talk about available chlorine as % of mix do you mean by volume or by weight? Both are listed on the packing label. Also do you mean free chlorine or available chlorine? AS I already know most of you don't know what I'm talking about so maybe AC and you guys can give the % thing a break? It makes it a lot harder to explain things and probably keeps some people from bothering to figure it out and answer peoples questions, which is generally why I come here. I know I have skipped a few chances to help someone because I didn't have time to get past the % thing so we could talk about facts. % of free chlorine can only be measured by testing, so guessing at it is just that and assumptions are business killers. I don't deal in assumptions and guesswork. Let's stick with measurable facts.

-- Edited by Bill Booz on Sunday 6th of April 2014 07:56:48 PM

. Bill I think every one is talking about volume in the tank not actual PPM strength witch can only be tested for.

Are you testing all your SH for PPM strength each time every day? Example 300,000 PPM =3%

I have a pool I do know the difference between free and available chlorine.

Bill Booz · Junior Member

Yes Eric they are talking about volume of available free chlorine in the tank if that's what you mean. At least that's how AC and I have discussed it. But as I showed above that # will usually be wrong still. No I don't test it, and have no reason too. Please don't take offense to my irritation. The way it is being described here is 12.5% free chlorine by volume diluted to 1-5% free chlorine by volume. The amount of available free chlorine changes daily just as the ppm do.

AC and I have debated this a few times

-- Edited by Bill Booz on Sunday 6th of April 2014 09:26:12 PM

Lee Kendall · Junior Member

Bill Booz wrote:
The rest of the roof cleaning world just talks in percentages of SH to water or CH to water. % of chemical to % of water. My mixes tend to be 30% SH. That's part of why it gets confusing. No need to PM here brother. My goal is to educate people as a whole.

I wanted to add this too, when you buy 12.5% that is a packaging requirement. My 12.5% comes analyzed the day before I get it and it is usually 15.2-15.8% by volume available free chlorine. The tank they fill says it's 12.5%. 12.5% is the nice # they all came up with to say it's between 10-20%

Im with Bill- 1gallon of SH in 100 gallons means 1 percent- For cedar we do about 15-20% depending is there is moss or not.. Did a decent size job yesterday, we use a 8gpm pressure washer on maybe 90 psi to rinse-still takes forever...

-- Edited by Lee Kendall on Sunday 6th of April 2014 09:28:03 PM

Bill Booz · Junior Member

Sorry I think I hijacked this thread :(

Doug G · Junior Member

Lee Kendall wrote:
Im with Bill- 1gallon of SH in 100 gallons means 1 percent- For cedar we do about 15-20% depending is there is moss or not.. Did a decent size job yesterday, we use a 8gpm pressure washer on maybe 90 psi to rinse-still takes forever...

-- Edited by Lee Kendall on Sunday 6th of April 2014 09:28:03 PM

Bill Booz wrote:
Sorry I think I hijacked this thread :(

No Bill....you didn't. We're here to discuss and learn. Topics bounce around as a natural point of that process.

This was confusing to me in the very beginning. I took 1-3% literally and added 3 gals of SH to a 30 gal tank and my mix did nothing. Bumped it to 10 gals of SH and presto. 3% in my head is 30% considering 12.5 simply as a 100% chem.

Is it right....no, but its working for now. The issue is once you start cutting it down or wanting to beef it up.

Maybe I should go to the pool store and buy the strips to tell me what my mix is.

Mike Wedge · SoftWash Systems Master Certified Applicator

Try not to over think it Doug, I start all my mixes at 30% 0r 3% what ever you want to call it. Maybe wasting some SH but I have not had any issues. Just remember to apply light, even coats and re-coat when necessary. Bill is 100% correct in that you will never know the exact strength by the time it comes out the gun. If your going to rinse it regardless than bump it up to 4% charge for the added materials and go to town. Make sure your rinsing the copper frequently and don't let the mix dry on it. I did a gerard roof that required 5% before it would have the desired affect I wanted. And the only reason I found that out is because I decided to take a spray bottle with straight SH and test a spot to see what would happen. If your going to demos be prepared to try different things. There is no Bible to Roof Cleaning sometimes you just have to improvise. I also agree with the oxolic.

Doug G · Junior Member

Where do I get the oxolic?
I'll do some research but if there's a easy answer....:}

Bill Booz · Junior Member

Any bulk chemical supplier will sell you the oxalic in 55lb bags for around $100
Try your SH supplier, if they aren't able then try Univar or Brainard chem. If that fails look for bulk dry chemical suppliers in your area. Also most power washer distributors sell it under a label like deck brightener.

Thanks for your statement above Doug.

Jesse Bracken · Junior Member

Doug Trins wrote:
Bill Booz wrote:
This is why talking in percentage of free chlorine doesn't work. Your free% of available chlorine changes every day in your bulk SH. You probably thought you had 2% but it has weakened as bleach does so you really didn't. Also when you guys talk about available chlorine as % of mix do you mean by volume or by weight? Both are listed on the packing label. Also do you mean free chlorine or available chlorine? AS I already know most of you don't know what I'm talking about so maybe AC and you guys can give the % thing a break? It makes it a lot harder to explain things and probably keeps some people from bothering to figure it out and answer peoples questions, which is generally why I come here. I know I have skipped a few chances to help someone because I didn't have time to get past the % thing so we could talk about facts. % of free chlorine can only be measured by testing, so guessing at it is just that and assumptions are business killers. I don't deal in assumptions and guesswork. Let's stick with measurable facts.

-- Edited by Bill Booz on Sunday 6th of April 2014 07:56:48 PM
So tell us or PM me on the right way. I'm willing to listen and want to learn more!

Count me in on that !!!

jess

Jesse Bracken · Junior Member

This is very educational. I haven't yet started any modules (waiting for the codes or what ever) but assume that this would be covered in there somewhere. I saw an illustrated fact sheet somewhere showing SH, green wash, water I think...

Great discussion BTW

Jess

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Bill Booz wrote:
This is why talking in percentage of free chlorine doesn't work. Your free% of available chlorine changes every day in your bulk SH. You probably thought you had 2% but it has weakened as bleach does so you really didn't. Also when you guys talk about available chlorine as % of mix do you mean by volume or by weight? Both are listed on the packing label. Also do you mean free chlorine or available chlorine? AS I already know most of you don't know what I'm talking about so maybe AC and you guys can give the % thing a break? It makes it a lot harder to explain things and probably keeps some people from bothering to figure it out and answer peoples questions, which is generally why I come here. I know I have skipped a few chances to help someone because I didn't have time to get past the % thing so we could talk about facts. % of free chlorine can only be measured by testing, so guessing at it is just that and assumptions are business killers. I don't deal in assumptions and guesswork. Let's stick with measurable facts.

-- Edited by Bill Booz on Sunday 6th of April 2014 07:56:48 PM

Bill is correct. This is why the mixology sheet keeps measurements in 1/10 and accounts for degradation to levels of 10% available SH in your starting bulk bleach.

AC