Of course, if the job demands high pressure, your rig will produce high pressure with the turn of a knob
Gloeocapsa Magma is a species of algae that causes black streaking and discoloration on asphalt/fiberglass shingles. If left untreated this algae will feed and grow until the entire roof becomes infested. Meanwhile, the roof becomes unsightly, and the algae covers the roof granules, which leaves the shingles unprotected from the sun’s UV rays. Without UV protection, a roof will experience premature failure. The algae has migrated form Florida and the Gulf Coast are to cover about 80% of the nation.
Since you’ve found this site, I assume you are looking for a business that can be run either full or part time and produces a pretty decent income. If so, read what a veteran roof cleaner has to say about it.
First, roof cleaning is one of the few businesses that is not floating in a sea of competition, there ain’t non, or at least there’s very little. Take a look around town; you’ll see thousands of roofs needing cleaned and nobody cleaning them. Most people don’t even know their roof can be cleaned; they think it needs replaced. Most pressure washing guys are afraid to get on a roof. And even if you have competition, there’s enough roofs to go around for everybody. We rarely run into the other guy.
Second, the investment needed to get into the business is nil compared to your return on investment (ROI). It’s entirely possible and common place to earn $75,000 or more on an initial investment of $5000 in equipment and chemicals.
Third, since roof cleaning may be new in your area you will have to be persistent to make your first sale. But, once you get a few jobs under your belt, pictures taken and the neighbors gawking at the roof you just cleaned, you are on your way to seeing your business snowball.
Fourth, roof cleaning is not difficult, but its not as simple as the chemical web sites pitch. There are companies pitching chemicals that will clean roofs simply by spraying it on the roof and letting mother nature rinse it clean. That’s fine, if you want to wait six months to get your money. No matter what they tell you, the roof will have to be rinsed off after applying chemicals, and if you think a garden hose with street pressure will do the job, you are absolutely correct, if you have a week to spend rinsing. Fact is, YOU WILL NEED SOME PRESSURE GREATER THAN STREET PRESSURE if you expect to finish the job in a timely manner. Therefore you will have to modify your pressure washer so it will produce just enough pressure to rinse but not damage the shingles.
Fifth, there seems to be a lively and sometimes heated discussion over which chemicals are best for cleaning roofs. This author, doesn’t give a hoot. Both have pros and cons. I haven’t seen any…
