Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

Patrick G · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Cedar roofs

Liberty SoftWash · PWS Vender

I get calls all the time but when they hear the price they run.

Eric Schnaible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Yep, same here. I always think of what a pain it is to get the stuff out from between the shingles, not worth it. If you dont it looks bad (pine needles are the worst). There is a lot of disagreement about the right way to do it. Seems to me the three step way is the right way, and that is why people run.

Barry Landis · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Roof Cleaning PA wrote:
I get calls all the time but when they hear the price they run.

Same hear Eric. We get plenty of calls for them, but only did one in the last 4 years, and that was a previous customer that I usually get all of his work anyhow.

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Eric Schnaible wrote:
Yep, same here. I always think of what a pain it is to get the stuff out from between the shingles, not worth it. If you dont it looks bad (pine needles are the worst). There is a lot of disagreement about the right way to do it. Seems to me the three step way is the right way, and that is why people run.

Eric, Whats the 3 step way? Clean, Brighten, Seal

Dave · Approved Exterior Cleaner

clean, rinse, brighten, rinse

Dave · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I clean them, but only about 2 a year. This year we did 4 of them. And they guys are right. Most people run when they here the price. They are 2-3 times more work than what you would think when you look at the house. There are some who are spraying a regular roof wash on them and rinsing and then calling it good. But, the part that takes so long is rinsing every single shingle. And cleaning between each one. That is where all the stuff is. moss, lichen, dirt, pine needles, trees growing...;...

Zach Maynard · Approved Exterior Cleaner

We do tons of them, probably about 50 so far this year. On average usually 1 a week.

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I here if you don't seal them the shingle will curl up, is this true. Some guys use water base sealer. It can be sprayed on with the pump.

Liberty SoftWash · PWS Vender

I had been reading on resealing them and was told to use a airless with Chevron oil.

Ed Thompson · Approved Exterior Cleaner

We cleaned a bunch. We only clean and will not seal. Its not much different than cleaning any other roof except the solution is different. We rinse cedar roofs. No walking, no chicken ladders or lifts.

Patrick G · Approved Exterior Cleaner

You rinse just from a ladder Ed?

Ed Thompson · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Rinse from where ever you can.

Ed Thompson · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I think they're easier than asphalt roofs except for the no-walking part. They clean up nice.

Eric Schnaible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I cleaned some with SH and they look great from far. Dave has it right IMO. The 3step process is 1. Sod Perc. 2. OX. 3. Sealer. I have never had anyone accept a proposal for this process. Sodium Percarbonate doesn't really do anything on its own. There was some pretty convincing information I found regarding the damage that SH could do to wood fiber, that made sense to me. Also, all our wood roofs legally have to be fire resistant and the SH removes the retardent value if memory serves. I decided to walk away and am happy with the decision. Having said that, I have found that there are great differences in what we all deal with depending on where you live in the country.

Ed Thompson · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Of those we did, 2 were sold over the phone north of $3500 and done in one day. Yes, sh can damage fibers. We keep cedar solution @ or about 10%. Let it sit a bit then rinse. On these 2 particular homes the roofs had a lot of black mold. The infested areas were really black and moist. I informed both jobs that sh does damage some wood fibers. Both agreed that the acute damage caused by the sh was the lesser of 2 evils. The pace of the rot caused by the mold was unfolding exponentially. I even explained that the correct way was the 3 step and can provide that option. It boiled down to cost.

Eric Schnaible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

That's the way to do it Ed. Full disclosure. Many would probably decide like the two customers you had, and the price is right. I think I will do that from now on without offering the three step.

Andy Hinson · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Ed Thompson wrote:
Of those we did, 2 were sold over the phone north of $3500 and done in one day. Yes, sh can damage fibers. We keep cedar solution @ or about 10%. Let it sit a bit then rinse. On these 2 particular homes the roofs had a lot of black mold. The infested areas were really black and moist. I informed both jobs that sh does damage some wood fibers. Both agreed that the acute damage caused by the sh was the lesser of 2 evils. The pace of the rot caused by the mold was unfolding exponentially. I even explained that the correct way was the 3 step and can provide that option. It boiled down to cost.

He said, Moist.

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I was just looking up Sodium Percarbonate. That stuff has a lot of use's. Looks like it will clean just about anything.

Eric Schnaible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Yeah, after rinsing with a pressure washer it looks great.

Dave · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I have done the cedar both ways. With the 3 step process with the sodium per. and oxalic, and with a soft wash with some Sh and 3 other ingredients. With the sodium you need to pressure wash the roof. With the soft wash you have to rinse the roof. The thing with the pressure washer is you have to get on the roof.( and that is a not a fun thing) But, the roof looks much much better when you are done.

Brian C Jackson · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I have also done a few cedar roofs. Use a my regular mix just weake and no soap. Roofs look great.

Liberty SoftWash · PWS Vender

Brian did you rinse from the gutter line or get on the roof?

Brian C Jackson · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Eric

I did a little of both. I rinsed from on the roof In spots that I could and some from gutter line. I also have a ladder that hooks to the top of the ridge.

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

The Cedar Calls are starting to come in. I may try one this year.

Dan Dykstra · Approved Exterior Cleaner

We have 3 cedar roofs booked this spring already, maybe this will be the year of cedar cleaning across the country.

Maverick Contracting · Approved Exterior Cleaner

We've done plenty in past but a PITA. use to clean with powerwasher but its extremely slipperly up there so I used golf spikes, short metal ones so as no to do any damage plus they were 2 "high" stories. should not "seal" them but oil or paraffin based stains condition them and protect them while letting them breathe.

have not done recently but am prospecting a bunch lately that are high end homes that are highly infested and been looking into best ways to be most efficient the last couple of days. supposedly either sodium precarbonate or citrus based solutions are best.

this is one product company I think might have potential, esp the green powerkleen stuff looks promising. will call this week to talk to tech. dept.

http://syntecpro.com/products/category/building-grounds-maintenance

-- Edited by Maverick Contracting on Sunday 13th of April 2014 10:31:03 PM

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Call us today at 1-800-255-4050 or Email Us

PRODUCTS
GREENWAVE
SERVICES
INDUSTRIES
CONTACT

Home

BUILDING & GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

Building & Grounds Maintenance
Carpet Care
Chem-Flow Dilution Control Products
Disinfectants / Sanitizers
Floor Care
Food Processing
Food Service
Fuel Oil Additives
General Cleaning
GreenWave Products
Hand & Body Care
Industrial Cleaners / Degreasers
Laundry
Odor Control
Portable Restroom Products
Restroom Care
Vehicle & Transportation Cleaners

Exterior Cleaning

Deck & Fence

Liquid Wood & Deck Restorer & Neutralizer

VIEW DETAILS

MMR Plus

Heavy Duty Mold & Mildew Remover

VIEW DETAILS

Neutralize

Powdered Wood Brightener & Neutralizer

VIEW DETAILS

PowerKleen

Green Wave Powdered House Wash & Vinyl Siding Cleaner

VIEW DETAILS

Restore

Heavy Duty Restoration & Masonry Cleaner

VIEW DETAILS

Wood Brite

GreenWave Powdered Wood & Deck Brightener

VIEW DETAILS

Exterior Restoration

DX Concentrate

Heavy Duty Concrete Cleaner & Remover

VIEW DETAILS

Effortless

Heavy Duty Efflorescence Remover

VIEW DETAILS

Lime Away

Heavy Duty Limestone Cleaner & Restorer

VIEW DETAILS

New Con

New Masonry & Concrete Cleaner

VIEW DETAILS

Rest Con

Heavy Duty Non Hazardous Restoration Cleaner

VIEW DETAILS

Revive

Concentrated Hydrofluoric Acid Based Restoration Cleaner

VIEW DETAILS

Graffiti & Paint Removers

B-Gone Graffiti

Graffiti Remover For Painted Surfaces

VIEW DETAILS

Eco Strip

All Natural Environmentally Safe Graffiti Remover

VIEW DETAILS

Lift Off

Thick Clinging VOC Free Graffiti Remover

VIEW DETAILS

Soy Strip

All Natural Graffiti Remover For Painted Surfaces

VIEW DETAILS

Take Off

Premium Graffiti Remover For Unpainted Surfaces

VIEW DETAILS

Thick Strip

Heavy Duty Clinging Alkaline Paint Remover For Masonry

VIEW DETAILS

Winter Maintenance

Ice Melt CA

Liquid Calcium Chloride Based Ice Melt

VIEW DETAILS

PreTreat

Concentrated Liquid Ice Melt & Pretreat

VIEW DETAILS

Maverick Contracting · Approved Exterior Cleaner

yeah Art, just exploring. havent priced out anything yet or got info on product usefullness but will do this week. can be other co's. with better product/pricing but still looking into. I know the winter stuff many municipalities use Beet Juice as an eco friendly antifreeze which I thought of a few years ago as a winter side business for roofs.....

may want to put this in a "premium" section!

Dave O · Retired Member

I'm also receiving more inquiries about cedar roofs and plan to expand in that market this year.