Chuck Bergman PC

Ideas on how to clean roofs in SW Florida, with consideration for others viewpoints. Pressure Cleaning too!

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I am Chuck Bergman.
I have been in the Pressure Cleaning / Roof Cleaning business since 1978.
I am opening up this forum to allow other professionals, in this line of work, to post their experience and ideas on how best to clean all the different types of roofs we have here in Florida.
Nothing will be deleted, except personal arguments, curse words or slander.
I will be available for whatever advice I can offer, from my experience and knowledge base.
My work email is Pressure_Clean@Comcast.Net
This is my info site- http://pressurecleaningbychuckbergman.webs.com/
Here's my methods-
We specialize in the cleaning of roofs and offer the newest and only "approved" [ by the roofing association ] " NO PRESSURE " roof cleaning system.
For asphalt shingle roofs, this system is a must and can add years to your expensive roof's life!
Pressure cleaning a shingled roof removes a large percentage of the granules, that make up the surface and color of your roof.
Even tile roofs benefit from our "NO PRESSURE" system, in that high pressure will send small pieces of tile and especially the cement holding your ridges in place, off into space!
Also, if you have a finish on your roof, such as a solid paint coat or a glazing, high pressure can peel the paint or dull the glazing.
Many Pressure Washers advertise "NO PRESSURE" but don't actually own the equipment. They simply use their pressure washing machine's chemical injector and end up using "SOME" pressure anyway and explaining [ if you see them do it ] that they turned the pressure way down. "SURE THEY DID!"
ANY pressure will remove much of your asphalt shingle granules!
Click below to go to the roofing manufacturers association and read for yourself it's simple clear statement about pressure-
"HIGH PRESSURE WASHING SYSTEMS FOR ALGAE REMOVAL SHOULD NOT BE USED" http://www.asphaltroofing.org/pdf/tb_217.pdf
Of course, we do have state of the art pressure washing equipment as well for houses, pool enclosures, decks, driveways etc.
In fact, with our many years of experience, we have found that a pressure washer that puts out a larger flow of water [5.6 GPM] and less actual pressure 2000 - 2500 psi, gets the job done better than a higher blasting pressure [3000 to 4000 lbs is common] and lower water flow [4 GPM] or less.
On occasion, high pressure is needed, such as on some concrete and steel surfaces, so we also have a 3500 psi machine with us at all times to use as needed.
Another reason to hire us to clean your roof is-
You may see competitors who say they are "Plant Friendly" or "Water plants well"
WE COVER ALL OF YOUR PLANTS WITH TARPS, PERIOD!!
That's as "PLANT FRIENDLY" as it gets in this business!
Because this offers the maximum protection!
We will also, without charge, on most roofs, repair and realign cracked and slipped out tiles. { There is a reasonable limit to how many we will do for free.}
Many of my competitors just rinse plants off as they go or when they finish. Often, this results in dead leaves a few days later, or dead plants.
We are also licensed and insured as painters and have a handyman license and insurance. If you have minor repairs or any paint job to be done, we have the experience needed!
My son has worked continuously with me since 1994 and is a licensed professional along with myself. He also holds a license for handyman work in Sarasota County.
So, if you have a Black Algae on your Roof that needs removing, whether for:
#1. Health reasons [Those who suffer respiratory ailments are adversely affected by the airborne mold spores]
#2. To stop the deterioration of the roof [ algae eats constantly]
#3. Astetics [ many beautiful homes have their appearance spoiled by black, discolored roofs]
#4. Because your homeowners association requires it.
Give us a call!
You will be glad you did and your neighbors may thank you!
SEE SOME OF OUR RECENT JOBS below-
http://s491.photobucket.com/albums/rr277/Chuck_Bergman/WORK/
Englewood 941-474-8883
Cape Haze, Placida, Rotonda, Grove City
941-698-1959
Venice, Nokomis, Osprey, S. Sarasota 941-483-3673
Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, PGI, Burnt Store
941-255-8600
Or, just email me! PRESSURE_CLEAN@COMCAST.NET

24 YEAR PROFESSIONAL EXPERT'S ROOF TECHNICAL BULLETIN.
Written by Chuck Bergman on 08/27/13
SHINGLED ROOFING:
I have cleaned roofs in Charlotte County Florida since 1989. I started out pressure washing them, but I could see, with shingled roofs, severe granule loss taking place on the shingles and turning the pressure down didn’t solve the problem. Why? First off, it takes a certain amount of pressure to remove the black algae – period!
So, if it requires say 1000 psi of pressure, which will work to blast the black coloration from shingles, then it’s just semantics.
If at 1000 psi I can clean a roof holding my gun tip say 1 foot away, then, if I turn the pressure down to 1/2 that, I have to move in to 6″ away, bringing the pressure right back to 1000 psi. Another words nothing is accomplished!
TILE ROOFING:
With tile, most are manufactured with at least a light glazing on top of a slurry coating {paint}
Pressure washing tile, requires a higher blasting pressure, starting at 1500psi up to 3000psi.
This can remove or dull that glazing. If the roof has been pressure cleaned in the past and that glazing is mostly gone already, then the slurry coating, creating your roofs coloring begins to be removed. This will turn a red tile roof into a pinkish roof. It will turn other colors pale as well. Eventually, it will reach the plain cement the tile is made of, showing bare cement areas.
Some companies have found an easier pressure cleaning tool, called a “Surface Cleaning Machine” and to cover the fact that these machines use pressure to the extreme, they give their cleaning method nice names like shampooing your roof. These machines were originally designed to clean flat surfaces { I own 2 } and are great on driveways, sidewalks and cement parking lots, where almost no damage can occur. They are the worst thing you can do to a tile roof though. The powerful jets are angled to cut sideways, also, they are set at an exact amount of inches above whatever surface they are set on. With flat cement that perfect! Tile is not a flat surface, so the high parts get blasted badly, while the lower portions of the tile, barely come clean-if at all. If you went up and inspected such a cleaning job, you would find many small black lines of leftover algae. If any algae is left, it will continue growing and return with a vengeance within 1-2 years! A chemically cleaned, soft-washed tile roof is easily evenly coated and all algae is killed and disintegrated. That’s why a Non-Pressure Roof cleaning, as explained below, lasts just about twice as long as any type of pressure washing / shampoo style cleaning will.
Fortunately, you are not stuck, having to accept roof damage in order to have a nice, clean, healthy roof!
Many years ago, some of the roofing manufacturers, came up with a formula to “chemically clean” roofs, using no pressure at all. It’s called by a few names “Non-Pressure” “No-Pressure” Soft-Washing” and “Chemical Cleaning”
I started using this method and chemicals specified by the roofing manufacturers and their Manufacturers Association {ARMA} back in the 1990′s and found that it cleaned tile just as well as it cleaned shingles!
It calls for a mixture of about a 3-5% total solution of Chlorine Bleach and a little TSP {Tri Sodium Phosphate}
I then add a commercial soap / surfactant to that mix, to thicken the mixture, so it won't run off the roof.
Nowadays, there’s always someone trying to sell you something. Non Bleach alternative chemicals are on the market and I try them as they come out. They all use the “Eco-Friendly” “Green” approach, to sell their chemicals with. The products I have tried do not tell you what chemicals are in the product. So, are they safe and eco-friendly? Who knows? We do know bleach though! We wash our clothes in it, disinfect our kitchen food preparation areas with it, swim in it in our pools and drink it in our city water! When it dries, it turns back into salt, which is what it is made from.
You can go to my website and click on “MANUFACTURER SPECIFICS” and read directly from the makers of your roofing, that what I am saying is what the makers of your roofing also say. Or just go there directly, using this click-able link: http://www.bergmanpressurewashing.co...Specifics.html
Incidentally, the ARMA also says not to allow anyone to spray on ANY after coating “Field Coating” on your roof.
It says that those coatings can cause damage and at the very least, none have proven to accomplish anything.
They are sold as a supposed way to not have to ever clean your roof again. They only claim that the products will keep your roof clean for 2 years. 99% of all roofs cleaned properly, will stay clean longer than that, without buying into their programs. Read the ARMA statements here:
http://www.asphaltroofing.org/sites/...tin/tb_227.pdf
So, after 24 years of roof cleaning: First with a Pressure Washing machine and then without the use of any pressure, this is what I have learned to be facts.
Chuck Bergman Roof Cleaning "AND" Pressure Washing. Charlotte and Sarasota County Florida.
In business here since 1989. Father & Son business since 1994. No Work Crews - No Trainees!
We do not run our business from a cell phone. We have old land line numbers that have been mine for over 20 years.
We are permanent residents and here to stay!
Englewood, Rotonda West, Placida, Cape Haze areas CALL: 941-698-1959
Venice, Nokomis, Osprey and South Sarasota office: 941-483-3673
Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda Office: 941-255-8600
Englewood, North Port Office: 941-474-8883