Introduction: I DO NOT BLAST AND DAMAGE ROOFING WITH A PRESSURE WASHING MACHINE.
I USE SOFT WASHING, ALSO CALLED NON_PRESSURE< NO-PRESSURE, OR CHEMICAL CLEANING.
{{ This soft washing method is how the ARMA roofing manufacturers association says to clean roofs, along with at least 3 roofing manufacturers.
I have been a pressure washing contractor here in Charlotte County for over 20 years. I have the proper assortment of equipment to clean most any surface you have that is dirty or has algae or bugs etc. With my 20+ years experience here in Charlotte County, I have learned to perfect using a lower, non-damaging pressure 2200 psi and compensate by using a higher water volume. I buy special pumps, that put out a high water volume flow, instead of the common 4 GPM most of my competitors would ordinarily use, which require the use of a higher 3000 to 4000 lb pressure spray blast. Everything you have cleaned, will last longer, if cleaned using a larger volume of water, rather than a higher hit of pressure!
Years ago, I pressure washed all roofs too, that was before I learned to use the method outlined by the ARMA - Roofing Manufacturers' Association. { It's like maintaining anything you own using the user manual that comes with the product.} It is a Non-Pressure, Gentle, SOFT WASHING using a 12 volt 45 - 60 psi pump system. { Chemical Cleaning }
My conscious was not feeling too good back years ago, about using a pressure washer on roofing - because I could see that while pressure washing roofs appeared to clean the roofs, there was always an element of damage occurring, each time I pressure washed them. Usually about a 20% granule loss or with tile, etching and the removal of factory glazing
So, in the mid 90's I found out that the roofing manufacturers had a gentle cleaning method, that got the roofs cleaner, lasted longer {often twice as long } and did no damage to the roof whatsoever. I'm sure that's why they developed this "Soft Wash" method - to save themselves from premature roof replacements. One pressure washing of a shingled roof, can take off a good % of the protective granules. On tile, it will loosen and blow out the cement going up your ridge-caps, etch the cement surface and remove the factory glazing, many tile roofs were made with.
I AM ONE OF THE FEW "CERTIFIED" ROOF CLEANERS IN Florida.
roof-cleaning-institute.activeboard.com/f523639/roof-cleaning-englewood-fl/
Because C.L no longer allows click-able links, you will have to put "BERGMAN ROOF CLEANING" into a Youtube search to watch me clean roofs and see them come clean before your eyes, with no pressure used for cleaning!
What you see in the above videos, is all that is done to clean roofs 100%. A pressure washing machine is never started up during the cleaning process and never should be. If anyone claims they are cleaning in this same manner = "Non-Pressure" "Soft Washing" "No Pressure" Chemical Cleaning" Ask them when they bid your job, if a pressure washing machine will be started up during the process. If they say "Yes, but we turn the pressure way down" or "Yes, but just for rinsing" or "Yes, but we use a surface cleaning machine"
THESE ARE COMMON, WELL KNOWN IN THE INDUSTRY, INTENTIONAL MISDIRECTIONS. THEY WILL IN FACT PRESSURE WASH YOUR ROOF!
That's the "trick of their trade" No matter what chemicals, green claims, water only or otherwise, in the end, a pressure washing machine does the job and leaves it's inevitable damage, and spreads the living algae spores everywhere!
Soft Washing is a simple 1 part, self cleaning application of roofing manufacturer specified cleaning agents, applied with an under 60 psi 12 volt pump. Pressure washing machines run 3000 to 4000 psi. Even a cheap homeowner machine from a discount store etc will be 2500 psi.
Having been in business here over 20 years, has taught me that when it comes to houses & pool cages etc-blasting with high pressure is not as good at cleaning surfaces as having the greater water flow that I use. Plus, far less chance of damage-such as drawing lines in paint / wood siding, or stripping paint, or blowing cracked stucco off etc. I only use high pressure, 3500 psi when I clean flat cement / concrete - driveways, sidewalks and parking lots.
Be wise and stick with the roofing manufacturers only specified cleaning chemicals - Bleach, soap and water. Plus only use that same manufacturers' specific Non-Pressure chemical cleaning method on your roof! Pressure Washing Your Roof Can Void The Manufacturer's Warranty + Damage it!
At Chuck Bergman Roof Cleaning and Pressure Washing, clearly we do all types of pressure cleaning and have done so since 1989 here in Charlotte & Southern Sarasota County. We just don't pressure clean roofing, because it is the wrong way to clean a roof. It causes too much wear & damage.
Call for a free firm price quote show contact info I look at all roof jobs in person, not just guessing over the phone. I have no work crews.
I can almost always make a roof look new, without blowing any of the granules or tabs off of shingled roofs!
Same with tile. I can usually make them look new, without blowing pieces of the cement, that hold the ridge-caps in, all over the neighborhood. Also with my 60 psi delivery pump, I don'r etch the tile's cement, or blow the glazing off.
