Roof Cleaning

Barry M

I know that roofing is a skilled trade and I respect anyone who owns a quality roofing company and who has fought through all the lowballers and hackers who think there is nothing to laying a shingle. We all know there is much more to it than that.

I hope I don't rub anybody the wrong way but I want to talk about the algae (black streaks) that attaches itself to asphalt shingles. I've seen many a roof with this algae on it but the shingles are still in good condition. In my area roofers don't tell the customers any different and I see a lot of roofs getting replaced that only need cleaned. Are there any roofers here who offer roof cleaning services? If the shingles are in good shape and just have algae on them what do you tell the customer that has called for a quote? Do you tell them they just need cleaned or do give them a quote to replace the shingles?

I'm just trying to get a feel for the roof cleaning market in my area, I hope I can get some honest answers from some of you. Thanks.

__________________
Barry Maddox - Midwest Pro Wash
Pressure Washing Indiana
Deck Cleaning

apkole

We have tried cleaning the black (algae) streaked shingles on a couple of homes with cleaners made specifically for that purpose. We had no success with this process to speak of . One job we were so disappointed with the results that we refused to charge for it. That turned into a new roof project a year later.

I don't recall seeing near the issues with roof staining when roofing with my dad in the late 60's -early 70's. From reading available technical articles, I conclude that the increase in the frequency of this problem can be attributed to the decreased percentage of asphalt, and the increased percentage of filler used in the manufacture of the composition shingle over the past couple of decades.

Filler (aka limestone, etc) is used to stabilize the asphalt component of the shingle. However, filler is typically an organic material which will support the growth of algae. The higher the percentage of filler, the greater the probability that algae will form, IMHO.

The manufacturer's answer to this issue is to offer shingles made with copper granules which inhibit the growth of algae. Of course, it's instructive to note that some manufacturers offer a 5 year algae resistant guarantee, while other offer a 10 year. Some higher end shingle offer even longer algae resistant guarantees. Which leads us to this little tidbit: 3M Corporation (the manufacturer of the copper granules) has a recommended content percentage for effective algae resistance. What is not provided by the shingle manufacturers is the content percentage which is used in each product line.

Grumpy

We clean cedar and low slope only. Why? Because to hire us to clean an asphalt shingle roof would cost the customer nearly the cost of replacement. There is high risk involved ocne you begin to spray water ona roof, even at low pressures, thus risk-reward ratios begin to play into my pricing. Plus we don't give any guarantee that any stains will be removed.

apokle, are you sure those are copper? I believe they are zinc. Same difference though. Both are heavy metals and inhibit vegative growth.

Ed the Roofer

TSP, Tri-Sodium Phospate or a 10 % diluted concentration of bleach to 90 % water has also been recommended. Read the "Ask The Builder" online article archive. Just google Ask the Builder, then search for roof stains or algae.

We do not provide roof cleaning as a service due to the potential of an unhappy customer once things brgin to grow back. Power washing may if used too forcefully, dislodge the protective granule surface and increase roof degradation.

The true culprit is usually, shade; either due to Northern exposures with no direct sun or too many trees overhanging the roof surface. Eliminate the cause of the algae infestation, if the homeowner is willing to.

PS. Bleach run-off may stain exterior surface and/or kill ground vegitation. A thorough post wash must be done to minimize this from occurring.

Ed

apkole

Grumpy,

To quote the Certainteed Streak Fighter Shingle Guide (Pub. code 20-20-1742) "To make shingles resistant to algea, a unique layer of copper oxide, an ingredient with proven algicidal properties, is placed between the mineral core and the ceramic pigment coating. These copper containing granules are uniformly dispersed throughout the shingle's exposed surface. The copper gradually leaches out over time, providing reliable, long term protection to the shingle against algae attack."

My use of the term "copper granule" is probably too simplistic, but it's a part of the conversation I have with customers when qualifying our company and the materials we use.

Andy

Squrtgun

Barry,
What they don't get is we deliver oustanding results with low pressure roof cleaning using the methods set forth by GAF,ARMA and Owens Corning.

Attached Images

  

bmetcalf5

Do you use one of those "roof creepers" what psi? or wand?

bmetcalf5

Oops, I posted too soon...I am new to pressure cleaning in Central Florida and for now Im simply doing drives and walkways. Eventually, I would like to do roofs.

Squrtgun

Ed,
Let me clear this concern up.Barry and myself both use a ground person to constantly water vegetation and siding.The roof in the pics I posted had no more than 60psi hitting the shingles from about 18" away.PSI is further reduced because of distance to the surface.

Grumpy,
I get the feeling most here look down on the services Barry and I provide to our customers.I can assure you with well over $15k(soley dedicated to exterior cleaning) in equipment and 6 yrs of research/field experience I'm as much a professional,legitimate service contractor than anyone here.We aren't all monkeys with hoses try to screw Johnny homeowner out of their hard earned money.
Would you refer a homeowner to a roof cleaning company if the roof was not failing and only dirty?I refer dozens of roofs a year to local roofing companies because cleaning is a futile effort on a failing roof.

__________________
Karvonen's Pro Clean
Pressure washing/Low pressure roof cleaning
229-776-7856/229-344-5596
Scott Karvonen

AaronB.

Sounds like a good deal to me, if you can do it without damage.

You could also sell zinc strips to prevent re-growth of algae.

__________________
http://www.roseroofing.net/
Seamless Industrial and Commercial Roofing Systems, Residential Repair. For Those That Demand Quality!
Free roof inspections within 12 miles of our locale.

Barry M

Ed or anyone else I understand you don't offer roof cleaning and that is fine. But if you have a customer call for a quote to replace the roof, and the shingles are in good shape, and the only thing wrong with the roof is the appearance due to roof algae.......do you tell them it just needs cleaned and not replaced? Do you educate them about roof algae? Or do you just give them a quote to replace the roof?

I'm not accusing anybody of being dishonest here, I'm just trying to get a feel for how roofing contractors feel about roof cleaning. Maybe your reasoning is you don't believe in roof cleaning or you think it damages roofs, I don't know that's why I'm asking. Of course every contractor is going to have is own opinion.

Like Scott said we own legitimate businesses and roof cleaning is a quality, professional service that we provide. If a person calls me to give an estimate and the roof does have algae but the shingles are in bad shape, I don't go ahead and give a quote to clean the roof. I tell them the roof is deteriated enough, probably partly due to the roof algae, and that it would be best to call a roofer and have it replaced.

__________________
Barry Maddox - Midwest Pro Wash
Pressure Washing Indiana
Deck Cleaning

Barry M

The problem with the zinc strips is that over time they weather and then are ineffective. Just my opinion.

__________________
Barry Maddox - Midwest Pro Wash
Pressure Washing Indiana
Deck Cleaning

Ed the Roofer

I tell them the truth about what I observe and it comes back 10 fold several years down the road, when they actually do want and need their roof replaced, because I was not the money grubbing salesman who just wanted to create a roof replacement where no situation realy called for it.

On the other hand, if they are already convinced that thet need a roof replacement, I am not going to talk them out of it as they have already been convinced of that perceived reality.

Look at any algae stained roof, even over 20 years old and you wil note that the path below the chimney flashings and the lead soil stack flashings are near immaculate. The cleansing chemical reaction works with many varieties of metals so I tend not to believe that the process wears down over time.

If algae is the only problem, then deal with the causes for it instead of just the symptoms. Excessive shading or improper intake and exhaust ventilation are 2 such contributing factors. Those can be addressed without a complete roof removal and reroof.

Weigh the benefits and see if it is a cost effective solution and then determine which option presents the proper value to the customer.

Ed

Shingle Monkey

I would hate to invest in just roof cleaning, in less than 10 years there will not be any shingles in the Indy area that did not have the alge resistant shingles installed.

As a roofer the few roofs that I have seen cleaned around town you could still see some discoloration, it looked like a bad roofing job with different lot shingles.

So much of the roofs replaced are because of looks more often than a failed system. a 20 year old roof looks like garbage, not matter if you washed and waxed it

Squrtgun

algae resistant not algae proof.
The comapnies that clean roofs in FL have already found out that the resistant shingles develope the algae problem,just takes them a little longer.


Ed,
We offer solutions for customers on how to prevent the algae.I.E trim trees away from the roof etc,etc etc.Most are to attached to their trees to even consider pruning them.Also,the algae is airborne so even if home owner A does all you mentioned to prevent algae on their roof it'll eventualy grow because home owner B doesn't care if the algae is covering his shingles.
As for selling reroofs.I see no sense in talking them out of what they want,but in my area there are several roofing companies that will tell home owners the black streaks are failing shingles and they need to reroof ASAP.It's an unethical con and they are selling fear.They should be kicked in the head with steel toe boots.

__________________
Karvonen's Pro Clean
Pressure washing/Low pressure roof cleaning
229-776-7856/229-344-5596
Scott Karvonen

Ed the Roofer

I was not aware of algae being an airborne particulite. I thought it was the byproduct growth of environmental conditions; ie; shade, moisture, and an organic compound to feed its growth. I may be cross referencing mold spores, but I am not sure.

Where can you reference me to find out more please, regarding the airborne characteristics of algae?

Thank You,

Ed

Barry M

I don't invest just in roof cleaning but if I did algae resistant shingles wouldn't put me out of business. Key word is resistant, like a water resistant watch, what happens when you stick it underwater?

The roofs you have seen cleaned around the area you live probably weren't cleaned properly or where aged enough that they should have been replaced. Yes a 20 year old roof would look garbage and need replaced and that's what I would recommend to a customer that called for a possible roof cleaning, I'm honest with them I don't clean roofs needing replaced. In my area a lot of times this is not the case, it's common to see 4-10 year old roofs with algae on them. Besides the algae they are in excellent condition. I have seen roofs like this shingled over or ripped off and replaced because of their appearance not their functionality......sad.

Roof algae is an airborne pollutant that I've seen any many roofs that have no trees or ventilation problems whatsever. Once it gets on a roof in a neighborhood it can and will spread from roof to roof. I've seen subdivisions that weren't 10 years old that 75% of the houses had roof algae on them. But the sub down the street didn't have any......yet.

Here are a few links on roof algae that support the airborne claim. Of course some of them are trying to push algae resistant shingles so their opinions are somewhat biased but it's still good info, enjoy and thanks for your input.

http://www.asphaltroofing.org/pdf/tb_217.pdf
http://www.owenscorning.com/around/r...leshooting.asp
http://www.gaf.com/Content/Documents/22710.pdf

__________________
Barry Maddox - Midwest Pro Wash
Pressure Washing Indiana
Deck Cleaning

dennis

To answer your question, yes, I would refer the customer to a cleaning professional. And recommend installation of copper ridge cap or zinc.

Shingle Monkey

Do you know enough about the alge and roofing to know that its happens more on Owenscorning roof than any other?

(this is an Indy area observations)

Gaf seems to do it more on just the north side.

Certainteed has very little to no alge growth.

just 12 years of observations

Ed the Roofer

Thanks for the links Barry. I'll download and study them later tonight.

Ed