you probably will remember these photos from a few days ago. I washed a black synthetic slate roof yesterday and uses a mix based on the apple mix but the results were poor. I expected the black fungus to disolve but was disapointed with the results. To be honest I didn't add enough tsp or borax to the mix but would that much of a difference. I was able to remove a lot of the fungus by using the pressure washer lightly. One thing I noticed was white spots where I cleaned. This was a result of the surface coating coming off the slate. I checked the roof of an adjoining garage which we had not sprayed and saw the white spots there only less noticeable because of the fungus. I think it is caused by acid rain or else the fungus, what do you think?
Would the green wash be a better solution for these kind of jobs and also would the salt left behind in the apple mix corode the coating on these synthetic slate. If anyone has thoughts on this I would love to hear them.
GM Services. What is your name. Complete your profile please.
Firstly why are you using Apple Sauce mix??? Why would you mix Borax (boric acid) with Sodium Hypochlorite (an alkaline / caustic) that is very dangerous. Never mix an acid with an alkaline. That emits toxic gases!!!
Synthetic slate has permeable layers that the GM and fungus get WAY down into. You need to use a hotter mix like a 4% mix and pre wet the roof ahead of your self. That way the chems will travel deeper into the layers of the tile.
I am bias but yes use Green Wash! At least you wont die of lung cancer or emphazemia.
Hope this helps.
AC
Michael Hickey said
Jul 27, 2012
Thanks AC, I would love to try the Green Wash. Do you know if there are any suppliers in the UK or if anyone ships overseas.
Thanks again Michael
AC Lockyer said
Jul 27, 2012
Maybe you can reccomend a future dealer?
AC
Michael Hickey said
Jul 28, 2012
AC when you say a hotter mix, what exactly do you mean? Also does the Green Wash come in liquid or powder form. Would you license the Green Wash recipe to a chemical company in the Uk/ Ireland? The reason I ask is I get most of the chemicals I use direct from the manufacturers and they might be interested. First I have to get some to try. Thanks AC
AC Lockyer said
Jul 28, 2012
Green Wash is a liquid and hotter means stronger %. I may be interested in doing something across the pond....
AC
Michael Hickey said
Jul 28, 2012
AC could you get me a price for sending over Soft Wash. I expect it will be very expensive to ship liquids.
Michael
AC Lockyer said
Jul 28, 2012
GM Services wrote:
AC could you get me a price for sending over Soft Wash. I expect it will be very expensive to ship liquids.
Michael
Michael,
Please contact any of our dealers at the bottom of every SoftWashSystems.com page to help you with that. We do not sell the chemicals direct. JRC may have the most experience shipping to Europe and England. They buy many of their products there as well. PowerWashStore.com also has completed some international orders for us too.
Thanks,
AC
Michael Hickey said
Jul 28, 2012
Thanks AC, will do. Michael
Michael Hickey said
Aug 7, 2012
AC,
The Green Wash is on the way (hopefully) and should be here when I get back from hollidays in two weeks time. I have two synthetic slate roofs to clean and I need to get the process right this time, how strong a mix should I use and if its not working out can I add tsp to the mix to spice it up or more Green Wash. Also the SH I will be using comes in 25 ltr drums and wiil not be as fresh as the SH you guys use. The pitch on our roofs is steeper than in the U.S. so should I use thickening agents to aid cling.?
Thanks again
Michael
AC Lockyer said
Aug 7, 2012
GM Services wrote:
AC,
The Green Wash is on the way (hopefully) and should be here when I get back from hollidays in two weeks time. I have two synthetic slate roofs to clean and I need to get the process right this time, how strong a mix should I use and if its not working out can I add tsp to the mix to spice it up or more Green Wash. Also the SH I will be using comes in 25 ltr drums and wiil not be as fresh as the SH you guys use. The pitch on our roofs is steeper than in the U.S. so should I use thickening agents to aid cling.?
Thanks again
Michael
Michael,
TSP is only another surfactant. It is also full of phosphates and is not biodegradable. Just use more Green Wash or add some sodium mono per sulfate as a catylist.
Hi AC,
you probably will remember these photos from a few days ago. I washed a black synthetic slate roof yesterday and uses a mix based on the apple mix but the results were poor. I expected the black fungus to disolve but was disapointed with the results. To be honest I didn't add enough tsp or borax to the mix but would that much of a difference. I was able to remove a lot of the fungus by using the pressure washer lightly. One thing I noticed was white spots where I cleaned. This was a result of the surface coating coming off the slate. I checked the roof of an adjoining garage which we had not sprayed and saw the white spots there only less noticeable because of the fungus. I think it is caused by acid rain or else the fungus, what do you think?
Would the green wash be a better solution for these kind of jobs and also would the salt left behind in the apple mix corode the coating on these synthetic slate. If anyone has thoughts on this I would love to hear them.
Here are a couple of photos of the roof in question.
Firstly why are you using Apple Sauce mix??? Why would you mix Borax (boric acid) with Sodium Hypochlorite (an alkaline / caustic) that is very dangerous. Never mix an acid with an alkaline. That emits toxic gases!!!
Synthetic slate has permeable layers that the GM and fungus get WAY down into. You need to use a hotter mix like a 4% mix and pre wet the roof ahead of your self. That way the chems will travel deeper into the layers of the tile.
I am bias but yes use Green Wash! At least you wont die of lung cancer or emphazemia.
Hope this helps.
AC
Thanks again
Michael
AC
Wash come in liquid or powder form. Would you license the Green Wash recipe to a chemical company in the Uk/ Ireland? The reason I ask is I get most of the chemicals I use direct from the manufacturers and they might be interested. First I have to get some to try. Thanks AC
AC
Michael
Michael,
Please contact any of our dealers at the bottom of every SoftWashSystems.com page to help you with that. We do not sell the chemicals direct. JRC may have the most experience shipping to Europe and England. They buy many of their products there as well. PowerWashStore.com also has completed some international orders for us too.
Thanks,
AC
Michael
AC,
The Green Wash is on the way (hopefully) and should be here when I get back from hollidays in two weeks time. I have two synthetic slate roofs to clean and I need to get the process right this time, how strong a mix should I use and if its not working out can I add tsp to the mix to spice it up or more Green Wash. Also the SH I will be using comes in 25 ltr drums and wiil not be as fresh as the SH you guys use. The pitch on our roofs is steeper than in the U.S. so should I use thickening agents to aid cling.?
Thanks again
Michael
Michael,
TSP is only another surfactant. It is also full of phosphates and is not biodegradable. Just use more Green Wash or add some sodium mono per sulfate as a catylist.
AC