If you research roof cleaning on the Internet you will encounter
claims, counter-claims and outright confusing and conflicting information among the different roof cleaning camps.
We have attempted to provide some clarification here regarding the four main types of roof cleaning methods most widely available to consumers.
We
think that after reading this you will have a greater understanding of roof cleaning methods in general which will assist
you in determining the best roof cleaning method
for you.
Eco-Friendly,
Low-Pressure Roof Cleaning Method
The NON-bleach,
green, ECO-FRIENDLY, low pressure Roof Shampoo® roof cleaning method uses a nontoxic, biodegradable
and specially buffered product that is safe on all asphalt and fiberglass shingles. It will not harm any landscaping
around the home, yet is 100% effective at removing algae and other roof staining organisms from shingles -- NEVER damaging
high pressure and absolutely NO scrubbing or brushing. Click herefor the science behind the results.
Our proprietary Roof Shampoo® rinsing system, along with our Roof
Shampoo® eco-friendly stain removing products ensures that we clean ALL the algae, lichens and moss under the
edge of every shingle. A spray-on leave-on product, or a system that claims to use no pressure simply does not
use an efficient rinse system and cannot COMPLETELY remove the algae, etc. With the Roof Shampoo® roof cleaning system, there is no waiting, no wondering, and no worrying if the
stains will really go away. You will see for yourself that the algae, moss, and/or lichens and their stains are completely
gone before your Roof Shampoo® contractor leaves your house.
If our process costs more than just splashing bleach on the roof costs, it is because skilled technicians
using the NON-bleach Roof Shampoo® roof cleaning method take the time to actually get on your roof, inspect it, and
do the job right using high quality, eco-safe products and state-of-the-art equipment which really clean your roof.
Roof Shampoo® contractors are professionals who make sure they clean every square inch of your roof without damaging your shingles or your landscaping.
PLUS,
our Roof Conditioner™
stain prevention product provides
you with the option of a lifetime guarantee against roof stains by participating in the Annual Stain
Protection Program.
Bleach
Roof Cleaning Method
Roof cleaning contractors who use Sodium Hypochlorite (chlorine-bleach) will mix it in high concentrations with other chemicals such as Trisodium Phosphate,
also known as TSP. Many roof cleaning contractors who use chlorine-bleach and TSP will proclaim that a 2007 Asphalt Roofing and Manufacturers Association "ARMA" Technical Bulletin recommended 'their' method for roof cleaning. The truth is that the treatment they are referring
to is a mixture of chlorine-bleach and TSP. These contractors won't tell you that because they don't want you to know
they are using bleach around your homeand phosphates in watershed areas. In addition, the ARMA bulletin does NOT comment on the impact of
bleach on your landscaping, or its poisonous gases and fumes. The ARMA Bulletin states quite clearly that "the
effectiveness of such cleaning techniques are only temporary, and discoloration will likely recur."
Green, innovative roof cleaning products and techniques have been introduced into the
roof cleaning industry since that 2007 ARMA Bulletin was published, specifically the introduction of the green, nontoxic,
eco-friendly Roof Shampoo® roof cleaning process which debuted in 2008. Unfortunately, there are still MANY roof cleaning
contractors out there who continue to use the outdated and toxic Sodium
Hypochlorite (bleach) method
because it is cheap and easy. They merely splash the bleach mixture on your roof and leave without even rinsing it off.
Related NEWS:ClickHERE to
see Consumer Reports warning about roof cleaning with chlorine-bleach.
Dangers
of Roof Cleaning with Sodium Hypochlorite, the chemical found in BLEACH.
Sodium Hypochlorite, often referred to as SH by
roof cleaners who use it, is the poisonous ingredient in bleach. The symptoms of Sodium Hypochlorite poisoning are clearly described on the National Institutes of Health's website in its article entitled "Sodium Hypochlorite Poisoning." The symptoms include, but are not limited to burns in the throat and esophagus, blistering, central nervous system
dysfunction, and intestinal distress. This is NOT something you want your family and pets exposed to.
In addition to posing potenital harm to people and pets, caustic chlorine-bleach
is a powerful oxidizing agent capable of breaking up most protein structures, including the plant cuticles of the vegetation in the landscaping surrounding most homes. The effects of the bleach on your landscaping can cause permanent damage to your plants, trees, grass, and
shrubs.
How to determine if a roof cleaning contractor
will be using bleachon your property... Often times roof cleaning
contractors who use bleach don't advertise or tell you that they use bleach. But you can be certain if you are told by a roof
cleaning contractor that their roof cleaning method is recommended by shingle manufacturers, they are referring to the 2007
ARMA bulletin discussed above which, if you'll recall, recommended the use of bleach. These contractors just don't seem to want to tell you that they are using bleach. They won't mention bleach
on their websites or in their ads either. And yet they will proudly tell you that they use no pressure or use certified
soft wash or that they follow the shingle manufacturers recommendations cited in the 2007 ARMA bulletin -- which is bleach!
Some roof cleaning contractors, when asked if they use bleach, will dodge the question by responding
that they are using sodium hypochlorite. You should know
that sodium hypochlorite is the chemical name for bleach. They
may even tell you they use SH, which is short for sodium hypochlorite
- bleach. Some even mix fragrance in with the bleach to mask the smell.
If you're
still not sure, ask the following question just this way: "How will you protect my plants while cleaning my roof?"
Any answer other than "We don't need to protect your plants because our product does not harm plants" indicates
that a harmful chemical is being used. If the answer is something like "We wet down your plants before, during, and after
our treatment to protect them" you should be concerned. Other indicators that harmful products are being used is the
use of a runoff recovery system which attempts to suck up all runoff during the treatment into a containment vessel. Also,
if you are told that your plants will be covered during the roof cleaning process, that is a clear sign that a harsh chemical
is being used.
In addition, you can always ask to see the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the chemicals
being used.
'Splash and Dash' Method
Some
roof cleaning contractors will spray a chemical on your roof and tell you to wait for weeks or months to see the results.
Products which do not require rinsing, but depend on the rain to wash away the roof-attacking organisms are designed so that
the contractor does not have to get on a wet roof or use special equipment to rinse the roof. These products often take repeated
applications to achieve even marginal results. Some roof cleaning businesses actually use this consumer grade product and
charge you professional rates for it. We call them 'Splash and
Dash' operators.
High
Pressure Power Washing Method
Some roof cleaning contractors
use high pressure power washing methods to attempt to remove roofs stains. They blast away on your roof blowing the protective
granules off as they go. Not only is this method damaging to your shingles, but it's also not an effective way to remove organisms
that cause roof stains. The high pressure power washing method leaves root systems behind, so the algae will often return
rather quickly.
