Cold weather is here and the holidays are near.

Cold weather is here and the holidays are near and you are not even thinking about exterior cleaning. Companies that specialize in exterior cleaning are prepared for the winter months when work slows down. Now can also be the time to get some deals on your exterior cleaning needs. With the slow down in work it is also possible to get something done quicker because the schedule is not full. Or you may be able to get on the spring schedule and lock in your slot for the spring cleaning. What ever your needs are contact your local cleaning contractor today and set up your appointment. Don't wait for the last minute because weather can also delay projects.


To see all of our cleaning services visit our web site

So you thing a pressure washer is safe?

You think a preasure washer is safe to use right? What can go wrong? Well there is plenty that can go wrong and cause serious injury or even death. You see a pressure washer cuts so fast that you hardly know it has happened. Kind of like a paper cut only faster. Read these two real life accounts of what happened to them with their pressure washer accidents. Do yourself a favor and hire a professional, let them take the risk.

Pressure Washing Accident #1

Pressure Washing Accident #2

These are just 2 examples and there are thousands each year. Before you get in over your head consult a professional. Most of the time their estimates are free. Besides the time you save when you hire a professional is money well spent. Would you rather spend all weekend and pressure wash your driveway or spend some money and be fishing with your son or daughter?

The Cleaning Doctor launches a new cleaning program.

We are pleased to announce the launch of our latest home cleaning service, the Real Estate Enhancement Program. Visit the official site for the REEP program and see how we can help you get your home ready for sale. You don't want to miss that first wave of buyers.

For more information contact us at reep@thecleaningdoc.com or by phone at 931-933-5421

Roof Cleaning Agent Dangers

We have all done it at one point or another, right? We have mixed household cleaning chemicals together thinking it would clean better and faster? We have been overwhelmed by the fumes or gotten burned and some may have even ended up in the hospital.

Now for cleaning your roof the dangers are the same only on a much greater scale because of the amount of cleaning solution needed, such as this article about an explosion in Tampa

Tampa Roof Cleaning Explosion

or this one about a pressure cleaner that was injured

Pressure Cleaner Injured In Chemical Explosion

Both of these happened out of careless habits and/or no knowledge of the cleaning agents they were mixing.

Roof Cleaning is a serious business and the risks are real. Not just falling off a ladder but the handling of the cleaning agents can pose a danger if done improperly.

An Alert and concientious roof cleaner is what you need working on your home. An A-R-C-A Certified Roof Cleaner is taught the proper methods of handling and applying the ARMA(Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association) recommended cleaning agents. Rest assured, your A-R-C-A Certified roof Cleaner pays attention to what they are doing.

Copyright 2009 - The Cleaning Doctor - All Rights Reserved -

Increase The Value of Your Home With Exterior Cleaning

Given the number of television shows currently concentrating on buying and selling houses, it's little surprise that many home owners are well informed about how to get the best value for the property. The exterior of our homes is one area that we may have been neglecting.

We've all seen the shows, with their tips on how best to sell our homes. The advice on making improvements to our kitchens and bathrooms is all correct, but there are some parts of our properties that seem to be forgotten.

When a prospective buyer arrives to take a look at your home, the first part of the building that they will be seeing will be the exterior. In fact, even before they arrive at your home, they'll have been making judgments about the property based on what they think of the state of the outside of the house.

First impressions are always important in life and this holds particularly true when it comes to property viewing. A tired looking house exterior immediately creates a negative impression.

If you're home has a layer of dirt and grime, caused by years of pollution, then you really should think about getting it cleaned up before putting it up for sale.

Cleaning the outside of the house doesn't just look better - it can add value to your property.

Many buildings that are in the worst condition in the UK tend to be in urban areas, close to main roads. Some of the most beautiful homes in the country currently have the disadvantage of looking tired and old.

There are a number of companies in the UK who specialise in cleaning buildings, with particular emphasis on older homes, buildings and monuments. Speaking to one leading expert, I was struck by how much cleaning methods have moved on.

Where possible, many building cleaning service providers avoid using chemicals, ensuring that the entire procedure is environmentally friendly.

Now's the time to ask yourself: how clean is my property?

As Keith Barrett found out, the specialists from EcoLogic Systems are experts in building cleaning. This article may be published on any website but this resource box must be included in full. The author retains all copyright.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Barrett

Red Shingle Roof Cleaning and Stain Removal - Clarksville, TN

As you can see this home had a really bad infestation of algae. The home owner was thinking that he had to replace the roof in order to remove this algae.

This infestation required more than normal amounts of our cleaning solution to remove all the stain.

By the photos you can see that Clarksville, TN roof cleaning is possible no matter how bad the infestation is.

All the algae has been removed from this roof and it looks new again.

By looking at the before photo, most consumers and home owners would not believe that those stains could be removed. How would you like to save thousands of dollars? What about saving 90% over roof replacement? That is a savings you could realize by having your roof cleaned instead of replaced.

If you have any questions visit our web site at http://www.thecleaningdoc.com/

Clean Those Roof Stains or Replace the Shingles

Decisions Decisions

 

Every day you are faced with decision after decision about the maintenance of your home. Roofing should be the least of your worries, Right? You bought 30 year shingles didn't you?

You may have even bought algae resistant shingles. Now why do you have algae streaks and stains on your Clarksville or Nashville, Tennessee roof? The answer is simple, the shingles have a 30 year warranty but more than likely the warranty for algae resistance ends at the 10 year mark.

Now that you have the algae stains you now need to decide what to do about it. You have 2 choices, one is to replace your roof and the other is to have the shingles cleaned. Well if you are like me I want to get all that I can out of something before I throw it away. So it is that I would have my shingles cleaned. There is nothing wrong with them except that they are covered with algae.

In the last year from March 2008 to March 2009 shingle prices have risen by 57.5% according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics' Producer Price Index. This year, they went up 3.8 percent from February to March alone.

Now let's look at replacement cost. A typical 1200 square foot house will require roughly 14 squares of shingles (100 square feet per square) and a tear off and new roof installation can cost upwards of $4,000.

Now that we know what it costs to replace the roof let's look at the cleaning costs. For that same roof, the cleaning costs would normally be around 1/10 of the replacement costs. For this specific example the cleaning of your Clarksville or Nashville, TN roof would be approximately $300 - $400. That is a savings of  $3,600 - $3,700 for the homeowner.

Here is an article from the Seattle Times about the price of roofing shingles on the rise.

Click here for more information on Roof Cleaning and Stain Removal for your Tennessee home.

Sodium Hydroxide Based Roof Cleaners - Why we don't use them!

Sodium Hydroxide based cleaners are sold and marketed as being safer for the landscaping, but sodium hydroxide is caustic and very toxic. Sodium Hydroxide is used in stripping stains and sealers off of wood surfaces such as decks and fences. Sodium hydroxide is also a very effective degreaser and is used in the cleaning of commercial kitchen hoods. Asphalt shingles are a petroleum product (i.e. grease, oil). So high levels of sodium hydroxide in a cleaning product can cause permanent irreversible damage to an asphalt shingle roof. These products generally require much more rinsing and pressure than the sodium hypochlorite cleaning solutions used by ARCA Certified Roof Cleaners and the recommended cleaning method of the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA). The rinsing process is not only time consuming, but it can also be potentially damaging to the roof if not done correctly. A sodium hydroxide based cleaning product requires more than normal garden hose pressure to effectively rinse an asphalt shingle roof and some granule loss should be expected.

Be sure to ask your roof cleaner what the main active ingredient is in their cleaning solution before you hire them.

For more information visit our web site at http://www.thecleaningdoc.com/

Wood Restoration in Adams, TN

Our wood restoration is a three step process for a complete restoration. If all you do is pressure wash and then stain you are missing an important step that will give you the full potential of your stain/sealer. If you skip one of these steps you will end up with a finish and fails prematurely.

The first step is either cleaning if no previous sealer was used on the wood. If the wood has been sealed before then the cleaning process is replaced with the stripping of the old sealer. This process removes the mold, mildew and algae from the wood surface along with any previous sealer if we are using the stripping method. Pressure washing alone will NOT kill the mold or algae spores that are imbedded into the wood fibers. It may look clean but you can not see the spores. The algae and mold will then grow back under the new finish.

The second step in preserving your exterior wood is to neutralize the cleaner or stripper that was used in step one. This returns the PH levels of the wood back to the proper levels and brightens the wood back to it's original color thus allowing proper adhesion of the stain. If you skip this step you will find that the wood will not accept the new finish as readily as it would with proper preparation.

The third and final step is to apply the stain or sealer of choice. You are now ready to enjoy your exterior wood for years to come.

Serving Clarksville, TN and all surrounding areas, The Cleaning Doctor has the cure for what ails your exterior wood surfaces. For more information on exterior wood preservation, deck staining and sealing or fence staining and sealing please visit our web site at www.thecleaningdoc.com or call us at 931-933-5421.

Deck Staining and Sealing Clarksville, TN

This is a deck that we completed yesterday. The transformation for this deck was nothing short of amazing. To go from a deck covered with algae and gray from the weathering over the years to what it looks like now, you would think wood was replaced.

We started by cleaning and brightening the deck surfaces. This process involves pressure washing the deck to remove the larger debris. We then apply a cleaning solution to the deck and wash once again. After the cleaning the wood is left darker than wood should be. This is caused by raising the PH levels in the wood with the cleaning solution. We then apply a brightener that in effect neutralizes the PH and brings it back to normal levels.

If the PH is not correct then you can have a wood surface that will not accept a stain or sealer of any kind and cause premature failure. Proper preparation and chemical application is needed to obtain the proper finish and to get the longevity out of that deck stain.

For more information or to contact us visit our deck staining home page.

Wood Restoration Clarksville, TN

The Doctor's Challenge - Carnival ride cleaning!

Yesterday was a unique experience in the life of The Cleaning Doctor.

We had the opportunity to clean some carnival rides. What an experience it was. It is amazing how dirty these things get.

We cleaned several of these rides and some of the supporting trailers. It was a site to see the rides go together as fast as they did.

This just goes to prove that there is no challenge too large or unique for The Cleaning Doctor. If it is dirty we can clean it.

Wood Restoration or Preservation

I wanted to talk to you some about wood care. What is so special about wood care, you ask? Well without the proper procedures you can be wasting your hard earned money.

Have you ever purchased a product from the local box store, only to have it fail within a years time? It is not necessarily that these products are bad but the process of applying it is incorrect. Thus causing premature failure.

Without the proper protection from the elements your exterior wood will warp, bow, cup, split and just rot. This will result in hundreds if not thousands of dollars in wood replacement. Your deck is an extension of your home and a great place to enjoy and entertain.

Let's look at cleaning methods. You have wood that is greyed or black from mildew and now you want to restore your wood. Some so called professionals use a pressure washer alone to clean this off the wood surface. By itself the pressure washer is not a good choice. Even though you have cleaned the surface, mold and mildew spores remain in the wood fibers and when you apply a sealer over the top of these spores you will have mold or mildew growth under the finish and eventually causing the finish to fail.

Some professionals use bleach. Even some stain manufacturers tell you to use bleach or make a cleaner based on bleach as the main ingredient. This will work and it will kill the mold or mildew but at a price. The wood will end up being lighter than the original wood because it bleaches out the natural color of the wood. This will cause your stain to have a different look than you intended. Bleach is also used in the process of manufacturing paper to help break up the wood fibers. Why would you use this on a deck or fence?

Well what should my wood restoration professional use to clean my deck?

You can use various store bought cleaners but here are some guidelines. For stripping an old finish, the cleaner used should be a sodium hydroxide based cleaner. Fair warning this can cause chemical burns and kill vegetation. If you have wood with no previous sealer then you would use a sodium percarbonate based cleaner which is much easier on the wood. Both of the cleaners need to be followed up with an application of either citric acid or oxalic acid to neutralize the cleaners and restore the natural PH levels of the wood.

Using bleach leaves the PH levels extremely high and thus the wood surface will not accept the stain as readily as it would have normally.

One last thing, for best results let your wood weather for 6 months before applying any stain or sealer. It is not required but you will get better results and the finish will last longer thus saving you money.

Stay tuned for future posts where we discuss our stain choices and why we use them.

Clarksville, TN Window Cleaning

"The Cleaning Doctor" provides high quality window cleaning services in "Clarksville, TN and Surrounding Areas". Call me at: "931-933-5421".

Windows are one of the most valuable parts of every home or business and rightfully so because, with proper care, the longevity of your windows will increase dramatically.

Clean windows will...

1. 'Reduce Energy Costs' - by allowing the R-value of your glass to cool and heat your interior spaces properly.

2. 'Maximize Glass Clarity' - allowing you to enjoy the world outside from the comfort of your home.

3. 'Improve Image' - Your home or business deserves a high profile image and that's what you'll receive with my window cleaning services.

4. 'Minimize Embarrassment' - Window glass is the most visible place to see grime and the most difficult to clean. Professionally cleaned windows will minimize the embarrassment when you have guests over so they can enjoy the delicious meal you've prepared instead of dwelling on your dirty windows.

How many times have you gone to a restaurant and noticed greasy food smears across the window glass? Honestly, I immediately exit the restaurant and find another place to eat. I know that if the windows aren't clean then the likely hood of the restaurant being sanitary... Is very unlikely!

Yep... I'm passionate about my work. You could say, I'm Wild About Window Cleaning! And, when you see the results I can provide you, you'll be a believer too!

"The Cleaning Doctor" provides the following services:

Window Cleaning
Screen Cleaning
Glass Restoration
Glass Sealing
Gutter Cleaning
Pressure Washing
Roof Stain Removal
Deck and Fence Restoration

I know you value your property and so do I. I look forward to working with you. Call me today to schedule a 'no obligation' - FREE estimate.

931-933-5421

Electronic Service Request



Sincerely,

"Pat Motz"
"The Doctor"

"The Cleaning Doctor"
"931-933-5421"
pat@thecleaningdoc.com
www.TheCleaningDoc.com

Proudly Serving "Clarksville, TN and Surrounding Areas"

Shingle Roof Cleaning - Clarksville, TN

Does your Clarksville, TN roof look like this one? Are you thinking of having it replaced?

We can save you money on the replacement costs by cleaning the roof instead of replacing it.

Our cleaning methods are recommended by the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) and is completely safe for your home.

We can make your home beautiful once again for about 1/10th the replacement cost of a shingle roof replacement or less.

For more information visit our web site at www.thecleaningdoc.com/

Metal Roof Cleaning - Clarksville, TN

The Cleaning doctor can handle your metal roof cleaning needs in Clarksville, TN and Surrounding areas. You will find here some before and after pictures of our latest metal roof cleaning endeavors.

This close up picture shows how dull and dirty the roof really is.

We cleaned the entire exterior of this home to remove the grime, mold and algae on the exterior of this home.

Now this roof looks a lot better but we still have some work to do before we finish.

Look how much brighter the rear of this home looks after removing all the mold and mildew.

For the last step in the cleaning process we applied a silicon sealant with a mildew retardant to ensure that this home would remain clean for a long time to come.

For more information please visit our Roof Cleaning web site at www.TheCleaningDoc.com

Beware of low prices and extremely high ones.

Most home owners will call several companies that advertise for the services that are needed to get the best price they can in order to save money. They should do this and do their due diligence to make sure they are not getting ripped off.

Now there are many fly by night companies out there that state that they are the lowest price guaranteed. This is good if you are purchasing like products but services are an entirely different thing. For example if you are purchasing a dishwasher made by Whirlpool, it doesn't matter who you buy from. The dishwasher will be the same no matter who you purchase from. But a service is different in that quality can vary from vendor to vendor. The other thing that is different would be that say someone gave you a bid of $300 to wash the exterior of your home and the next vendor gives you a quote of $99 for the same service.

Then there is the other end of the spectrum, where the homeowner is charged an outrageous price for these same services. These are legitimate vendors but their methods may not lend itself to expeditious cleaning methods, forcing the vendor to charge more for their services.

The differences comes in the procedures used and quality of the finished product. Not to mention that the vendor that only charges $99 for this job usually takes much longer to complete and does not have the professional equipment required to do the job safely and efficiently. This vendor more times than not also does not carry any type of liability insurance to protect your home. Lack of knowledge can also lead to unseen issues that will arise later. One example is the improper use of a pressure washer to clean vinyl siding. You could have those squiggly wand marks that come from using too much pressure or they can force water up under the siding thus causing mold to develop unseen between the siding and the home's interior. If they are using a hot water machine there is a chance they could warp the siding from the heat also. Who's going to pay for the damage if they don't have insurance?

Anyone can buy a pressure washer and claim that they are in the business of cleaning and pressure washing. Did you know that as a home owner you could be held in violation of the CWA (Clean Water Act) if the contractor does not properly protect from run off into storm drains as these usually lead directly to streams and rivers? This can result in fines for the vendor and the home owner regardless of who is at fault. It is your responsibility, as the property owner, to ensure that your vendor complies with these laws. Ignorance of the law will not hold up on court.

No matter who you choose for your cleaning services be sure to ask for proof of insurance to ensure that your home and property will be protected. You will sleep better if you do.

Here at The Cleaning Doctor we do all that is possible to eliminate any violation of the Clean Water Act, thus protecting ourselves and you the property owner. When we clean we do all that is humanly possible whether it is a roof cleaning, house wash, wood restoration or concrete cleaning.

Please click on one of the following links for more information on our services for Clarksville, TN and surrounding areas.

Roof Cleaning Clarksville, TN

House Wash Clarksville, TN

Gutter Cleaning Clarksville, TN

Deck Restoration Clarksville, TN
Pressure Washing Clarksville, TN

Off the shelf roof cleaning chemicals. Do they WORK?

I know you have seen all sorts of advertising about roof cleaning chemicals. You can purchase these products in the big box stores all day long but there is something they are not telling you. These chemicals are not recommended by the Asphalt Shingle Manufacturers Association (ARMA) for your Tennessee roof. Most of these products are Sodium Hydroxide based and can be very dangerous, as any chemical can be if not applied properly. Sodium Hydroxide can cause chemical burns and other irritations and it is odorless. Thus it gives you no warning to clear the area.

ARMA recommends the use of Sodium Hypochlorite for the cleaning of your asphalt shingle roof, thus removing the roof stains from your Nashville or Clarksville, Tennessee home. Sodium Hydroxide is a degreaser and very good at that. It is used to clean commercial kitchen hoods. Your shingles are asphalt, a very thick type of grease. What do you think will happen to your shingles? People are trying to get a one size fits all cleaner. Well there is none, at least not yet.
You will find sites that state bleach is bad for your plants and your roof. Do you think they now more than the shingle manufacturers? They are correct about Sodium Hypochlorite being bad for your plants, but there again protective measures can be taken. You put bleach in your washing machine don't you? Read the bottle and see what the active ingredient is, Sodium Hypochlorite. What would you rather have used on your home, a chemical with no warning or smell or one that smells like bleach? Most of the sites that bash the use of bleach/sodium hypochlorite for TN roof stain removal will have a product to sell you.

Why don't they put Sodium Hypochlorite in their roof cleaning chemicals you ask? Short shelf life is the answer. Sodium Hypochlorite degrades quickly so it needs to be used quickly or it looses it's strength. The same reason you need to keep putting chlorine in a pool. Time and the sun cause the chemical to degrade quickly.

Yes we are in the roof cleaning business but if you don't use us to have your roof cleaned at least use a roof cleaner that uses non pressure techniques utilizing the ARMA recommended chemicals.

Call The Cleaning Doctor for your free demonstration and estimate at 931-933-5421.

Nashville, TN Roof Stain Removal
Clarksville, TN Roof Stain Removal

How is your curb appeal? Does your home exterior need cleaning?

How is the curb appeal on your home? Are you thinking of putting your home on the market?

If your roof looks like the one to the right be prepared to receive lower bids. These shingles look like they are going to need replacing soon.

Roof stain removal is possible and inexpensive compared to other home improvement options.
You can lose a buyer before they even pull into the drive way. They may decide to keep on driving and pick another house. Let's say you have the best finished interior home in Clarksville, TN. This will not matter if you can not get buyers in the door. They will drive up and change their minds saying to themselves that the house sure looked better in the photos. Don't let this happen to you. Secondly a home with a clean exterior will bring a higher bid than an identical home next door or down the street.

There are several things that you can do to the exterior of your home to keep the buyers interest. First is well maintained landscaping, trim back or remove those overgrown bushes and for heaven's sake keep the lawn mowed and trimmed. Cheapest thing you can do.
Next you must clean the outside of your home. This includes the roof as that is the largest single expense to replace (unless you have an large expansive deck). It is also the most noticeable. When a husband and wife walk up to a house the wife generally looks at the landscaping first while the husband will look at the roof first.

Then the next item is the gutters, if you have trees growing in the gutters you have just told the potential buyer that I didn't take care of this house. I was so lazy I didn't take the time to clean my gutters or hire someone to clean them. Well maybe you don't have trees growing in your gutter but take a look at the outside. Notice the black streaks? You need to get those off of there but there is a problem, these streaks are the hardest of the items to clean and most times require scrubbing to remove them. From a distance they look ok but up close they are filthy. Want to sell your home faster and for more money? Clean gutters look like new gutters.

Now we get to the siding. On my house the color of the vinyl siding is a yellowish tan color and it does not look bad from a distance but up close it looked terrible. Dusty looking mildew all over it with darker spotting. Well out comes the house wash and now that siding looks like it should. Clean and no mildew.

Probably the most neglected part of a home is the deck and fence because it is in the rear of the home and it has to have constant attention. Depending on the wood and the weather in Clarksville, TN your deck may need attention every year or two. Fences can go longer because (hopefully no one is walking on it) vertical surfaces hold up better because the water drains easily. If you can't afford to have the entire deck finished then at least have that old gray wood brightened. Make the fence and deck look like it was just built.

Doing all the things or at least some of them will greatly increase your chances of selling your home faster. Unless they are bargain shoppers the buyers usually want a house they do not have to put work into right from the start. This is where Great White Technologies comes in, We specialize in the cleaning of the exterior of your home. From roof stain removal to wood restoration and siding/house wash to gutter cleaning.

Make your Clarksville, Tennessee home shine on the outside like a beacon calling the buyers to view the beautiful interior of your home.

Why Clean Your Roof?

You ask your self why should I spend money cleaning my roof? Well there are several reasons you should do this.

The most obvious reason is for curb appeal. Your home is a big investment and you will want to show off that home. You are proud of all your hard work that it took to get that home and if you have the best curb appeal on the block. You can dramatically increase the bid prices if you are attempting to sell your home. The prospective buyer will not think that the roof needs to be replaced. They will think WOW that looks like a new roof and will probably not even ask about the age of the roof.

We all know from our school days that light colors reflect heat and dark colors absorb heat. Well that still holds true. What is the color of the algae growing on your roof? Oh yea, it's black or dark brown and it is absorbing heat. When it does this the temperature in your attic can rise dramatically. As you know proper attic cooling is essential to keeping your home cool. A rise in the attic temperature is going to require that your air conditioning unit run longer and more often to maintain a comfortable temperature. This over use can lead to a premature air conditioning unit failure.

You have a virtual buffet on your roof for these organisms to thrive. The shingles that are produced today have crushed limestone embedded into the asphalt (not the granules you see on top). These shingles hold moisture and organic "bacteria food" material longer than the shingles of 20 years ago. Additionally, these particular algae enjoy the limestone as a food source. Experts within the subject area conclude the bacteria to be harmful, if left untreated, as the growth holds moisture within shingles causing premature aging, rotting, and/or granule loss.

Once the algae/bacteria appear and become noticeable, the problem spreads year after year if left untreated.

For more information visit our Roof Cleaning Nashville web site for information.

Power Washing or Roof Cleaning Chemicals?

According to ARMA (Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association) and CASMA (Canadian Asphalt Shingle Manufacturers Association), pressure washing of shingle roofs are not recommended. Why is this you ask? Well pressure, even so called low pressure, can dislodge the little granules on the surface of the shingle exposing the underlying membrane to UV rays. This can cause premature failure of the shingle. It can also be cause for voiding your warranty.

These granules are vital to the health of your shingle. It not only provides the coloring of the shingle but prevents the underlying membrane from damage by the elements. Imaging what a flock of birds would do to your unprotected roof!

There are several roof cleaning chemicals being marketed today and most of them require medium pressure to be effective. What this means is that instead of a 3000 PSI pressure washer with one nozzle they want you to use a device with 3 nozzles that reduce the individual pressure at each nozzle down to some where in the range of 800 to 1300 psi. WOW that is still a lot of pressure. Think about it, at one point or another most of us have cleaned our own gutters and have noticed the little granules in the gutter from the shingles. Now these were removed by RAIN. Just think how many can be removed with a pressure washer even at 800 psi. Heck your garden has less than 100 psi and us usually around 60 or 70 psi and it can remove granules. Try it one day on a scrap piece of shingle and see if you remove granules. Do NOT try this on your roof.

The next time someone tries to sell you one of these products just say no thanks. The best and safest way to clean your roof is with a chemical solution recommended by ARMA that will kill the algae on your roof without the need for any pressure. Just spray on the mixture and then you have 2 options, leave it on for it's systemic value and wait for the rain to do the washing or you can completely rinse the roof with a garden hose. Stay tuned for the next post where I discuss the proper method of cleaning your roof.

Keep in mind that even though these chemicals can be dangerous irritants when handled incorrectly, when handled by a professional the risk are much much lower. Let a professional handle the cleaning as they have the proper knowledge, tanks, chemicals, pumps and insurance. This will be the cheapest option in the long run for the home owner.

Visit our Roof Cleaning Clarksville and Nashville web site for more information and videos.

How do I make my roof last longer?

The first thing you can do is - - DO NOT pressure wash the shingles at any time. This will remove the protective granules leaving the underlying membrane exposed to UV Rays which will damage them faster than the algae growing on them.

Now the way to make anything last longer is to implement proper preventive and corrective maintenance procedures. Changing the oil in your car is a preventive maintenance procedure. Getting a tune up could be a corrective maintenance procedure. So it is the same with your home and with the most expensive part of that home, the roof. Proper preventive and corrective measures can increase or at least maintain the lifespan of your roof.

Those black streaks on your roof are often mistaken for mold or fungus but are actually a very hardy algae called Gloeocapsa Magma. The process starts with spores carried by the wind currents being deposited on a roof surface. The algae then attaches itself to your roof and begins feeding. Even though you only have streaks on one side of the house, usually the North side, they are all over the roof surface. They just grow slower on southern facing surfaces. This is why when you have your roof cleaned you need to clean the entire surface.

Without interdiction on your part the algae will eventually start to degrade the integrity of your shingles. About 20 years ago manufacturers started using crushed limestone in the makeup of the shingles and this species of algae actually feed on the limestone. The limestone is a food source allowing the algae to grow unchecked causing the dark streaks that you see.

Take my advice and have your shingles cleaned by a professional. Don't risk your health or worse your life trying to do this on your own, not to mention possible damage to the shingles themselves. Too strong of a chemical mix can do as much damage as pressure washing and too weak is ineffective. With the cost of roof replacement being somewhere in the neighborhood of $5,000 to $15,000 it only make sense to keep it in tip top shape. And what about the danger of working on a roof? Wet roofs become slippery and an inexperienced roof cleaner, such as a typical home owner, are taking unnecessary risks. Before you decide to tackle this problem on your own talk to a roof cleaning professional. They will know exactly what it takes to get your roof clean and have the experience to get the job done.

Visit Roof Cleaning of Clarksville and Nashville for more information

The Dangers of Roof Cleaning

Roof cleaning can be one of the most dangerous undertakings by the average home owner. Lack of experience and improper equipment are just 2 of the dangers physically without even getting to the chemicals that need to be used. Things such as improperly securing a ladder, wet / loose shingles or improper footwear can cause a fall that could cause serious or even fatal injuries. Hint: Don't wear sandals or loose fitting footwear when on a roof.

Is a clean roof really worth taking that kind of risk? What happens to your family if you are injured or worse? Now with the physical equipment mentioned the biggest risk with cleaning your roof are the chemicals and their compatibility with other substances.

How would you like to have a 2 foot hole in your house and get a ride in a helicopter? This actually happened to a man in Tampa, Florida. Check out the story in the St. Petersburg Times and see for yourself. This was a very unfortunate accident but at least the home owner was intelligent enough to hire someone to do the work for him. His mistake was picking the wrong contractor for the job. He hired someone that specialized in pressure washing and not a company that specialized in the application of chemicals to clean roofs.

Your Tennessee home is most likely your largest investment and the roof is the most expensive part of that investment. I have said it before and I probably say it more than you want to hear but it is my opinion that you should leave the cleaning of your roof to a knowledgable, licensed and insured professional. They have the proper knowledge, chemicals, and equipment to keep you and your family safely on the ground. For the sake of your roof, find a contractor that specializes in non-pressure roof cleaning in Tennessee.

For further information about Roof Cleaning in Clarksville and Nashville, TN

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