What you should know about roof cleaning “NON-PRESSURE = NO DAMAGE”
Roof-Cleaning-Recommendations – A Technical Roof Cleaning WHITE PAPER Based on Safe, Non Pressure Roof Cleaning Techniques APPROVED By: American Roof Cleaners Association and according to roof cleaning guidelines suggested by the Asphalt Roof Manufacturers Association Roof Clean USA - SAFE, NON PRESSURE ROOF CLEANING – Thomasville, Georgia 31757 and 31759 (229)227-0000 www.roofcleanusa.com
TECHNICAL BULLETIN – What you should know about Cleaning your roof- First and foremost you should know that…. Most Roofs, EVEN 10, 15, 20 + year old roofs can be SAFELY RESTORED to similar to like NEW LOOKING condition, without unnecessary spending to replace shingles that really just need to be properly cleaned.
Yes. Your read this statement correctly…. As long as most ANY asphalt or fiberglass shingle roof is not leaking, in other words, it is WATER TIGHT, has all of its shingles intact, is not excessively moss or algae covered and has not exceeded its normal manufacturer recommended service life and is not excessively curling or brittle, typically the roof can be saved and salvaged and brought back to useful life and a beautified appearance.
In other words, most any roof can be safely cleaned and restored to a similar to new condition within reason and using a common sense approach and specialized non pressure cleaning tool, techniques and properly adhering to certified safe standard roof cleaning methods. UGLY Algae Stains, Black Streaks, Moss, Mildew, Mold, Lichen and Fungus can be removed safely, with NO DAMAGING high pressures, NO scrubbing, and no aggressive cleaning needed. There are proper methods and standards and a strict set of procedures to adhere to but cleaning a roof safely and completely and then applying an annual anti-algae type roof treatment can keep a roof looking its very best and performing in its teenage years and beyond if properly maintained.
One major key FACTOR to remember is: NON-PRESSURE or NO Pressure = NO DAMAGE to Shingles
As long as damaging high pressure, washing methods are not used and soft washing standards and non abrasive cleaning methodology is employed the outcome should be a restored roof with a youthful appearance and additional roof life.
This positive prognosis can be expected if performed early enough before the algae, moss, mildew or other plant material has a chance to cause irreversible damage which can only be resolved with a complete roofing system tear off and replacement.
As long as these guidelines are followed, Home and Commercial Property Owners may be able to SAVE THOUSANDS, over the cost of an expensive asphalt or fiberglass roof tear off and replacement!!
Roofing Industry studies have indicated that MOST roofs are replaced, according to a national poll, due in LARGE PART to the unattractive LOOK of the roof surface, NOT BECAUSE the roof is damaged or leaking.
In FACT, most homeowners don’t know of the roof cleaning OPTION or have ever been given another choice to replacement until….NOW!
Now you don’t have to WASTE hard earned money to replace a roof that can be EASILY cleaned for 1/10th the cost of replacement and in a much quicker time frame with no waste to fill up overburdened land fills, plus no lengthy construction inconvenience. Roof Cleaning can usually be performed and completed in LESS than ONE DAY!
The CHOICE is CLEAR and OBVIOUS……. DON’T REPLACE IT.CLEAN IT and $$$ SAVE MONEY $$$ !!
As you well know, your house is most likely your biggest investment and your roof is one of the most expensive parts of your house. It is extremely important to have the utmost in confidence in your decision before hiring a qualified roof cleaning contractor.
Certified Roof Cleaning Institute of America roof cleaning contractors only use chemicals approved by the ARMA* Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association and do not use pressure on your shingles.
A-R-C-A CERTIFIED roof cleaning contractors also provide our customers with technical bulletins directly from www.AsphaltRoofing.org and shingle manufacturers to prove that our procedures and chemicals are properly formulated for roof cleaning.
Our chemicals provide enough cleaning power to remove all mold, mildew, and streaks…without pressure washing or heavy rinsing.
In MOST Cases, AFTER CLEANING, we guarantee your roof will LOOK very close to, if not, 100% BRAND NEW!
Pressure washing is never recommended because it will remove a large amount of the ceramic coated granules from your shingles, which will void the warranty. Even low pressure will cause granule loss and shorten the life of your shingles. If you have ever cleaned out the inside of your gutters you will notice granules in them just from the rain taking them off.
Think what any additional pressure would do to your roof. For instance, you see someone cleaning a roof with pressure and it appears they have done a good job just because the streaks and discoloration are gone, but guess what?
So is a large amount of the protective ceramic coated granules which insure your shingle’s warranty. Nobody wants to replace a prematurely failed roof due to an incompetent roof cleaning contractor, and you shouldn’t have to.
We offer a conditional 2 year warranty against any streaks reappearing on your shingles.
With our “Roof ALWAYS Clean” Treatment and Maintenance PROGRAM your roof will never be STAINED or streaked again.
As a property owner, it is in your best interest to always use a “cleaning AGENT, chemical only” cleaning process for your roof.
Roof cleaning is a completely different trade from pressure washing requiring different pumps, plumbing, hoses, nozzles, valves, chemicals, caution, knowledge, experience, skill, and insurance. The certified RCIA roof cleaners have all of the necessary tools, and have learned from the best roof cleaning professionals in the country.
Make sure you know what kinds of chemicals are being applied on your property.
Do not accept “it’s biodegradable” for an answer. Even uranium is biodegradable over 50,000 years or so.
Because many “competitors” lack our roof cleaning equipment, knowledge, training, and experience, they sometimes apply a dangerously strong chemical solution. Sodium Hydroxide and Potassium Hydroxide will dissolve the asphalt and tar on your roof, shortening the life of your shingles and voiding the roof’s warranty. Even sodium metasilicate is too corrosive.
Our chemicals do all of the work to remove streaks and discoloration from your roof and require no pressure or heavy rinsing. Because we do not have to rinse, your roof will stay cleaner longer than our competitors. Leaving the chemicals on the roof creates a roof treatment or a hostile environment for future algae growth. Each time it rains, a small amount of chemical is washed off to help re-clean your roof over and over again. Are you concerned about your plants, pets, and landscaping? Don’t be. We have two decades of pressure cleaning and roof cleaning experience and can gladly provide references, if needed.
We only spray the roof, not your plants. We always bag the ends of your downspouts; collect all the chemical run-off from the roof and dispose of them away from your landscaping.
If the roof does not have gutters we will thoroughly dilute the roof cleaning chemical down to safe levels by spraying the landscaping with water before, during, and after applying chemical.
After the chemical biodegrades and evaporates from the roof, the dried crystals and surfactant act as a roof treatment to keep the roof cleaner longer as it rains.
We have had to go behind many competitors who pressure wash or rinse their customer’s roofs, which start growing mold and streaks after only 1 year. Our average non pressure roof cleaning remains streak free on typical architechural asphalt shingle roofs for a minum o 1 yer but we typically see at least 2 – 3 years betwen cleanings. We guarantee our roof cleaning will outlast our competitors! On average the price of cleaning your roof vs. replacing it, averages 1/10 the cost!
IT DOESN’T COST, IT PAYS TO CLEAN YOUR ROOF! SAVE YOURSELF $ THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS $!! Visit our website for more detailed info at Roof Clean USA
Go to these manufacturers websites to get the truth about cleaning asphalt shingles properly
ARMA Technical bulletin – http://www.asphaltroofing.org/pdf/tb_217.pdf
GAF Technical bulletin – http://www.gaf.com/Content/Documents/111115.pdf
ROOF CLEAN USA is CERTIFIED by A-R-C-A and the RCIA
Copyright 2009-2010 – Roof Clean USA tm – All Rights Reserved
Visit our OTHER informative blogs at:
http://www.roof-cleaning-georgia.blogspot.com/
http://www.garoofcleaning.blogspot.com/
http://roof-cleaning-ga.blogspot.com/
http://roofcleanusa.blogspot.com/
You may also go to the “RCIA activeboard” online if you have more DETAILED questions.
http://roof-cleaning-institute.activeboard.com/index.spark
For information on Roof Cleaning Guidelines for recommended safe roof cleaning visit:
NO PRESSURE, SAFE ROOF CLEANING by Roof Clean USA tm
The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America
