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Why
do some roofing shingle manufacturers recommend chlorine to remove
roof stains?
The
answer is simple. Over 50 years ago shingle manufacturers began to
get complaints about roof stains. Their remedy was simple, just tell
the home owner it was his responsibility to keep his roof clean. The
directions were very equally simple, climb up on the roof with a
bucked of chlorine bleach and a scrub brush. Clean the roof and
rinse it off with a garden hose. That worked way back then!
Today these
shingle manufacturers get hundreds of complaints every day about staining
roofing shingles. Obviously the manufacturer would go broke
replacing shingles to satisfy all of those complaints. They want the
complaint to go away ASAP. The simplest way to end that long
line of complaints is to put the burden back on the customer by
telling him it is his responsibility to keep his roof clean..
In this way the customer is 100% responsible for keeping his own
roof clean. Anything he does to
his own roof is his responsibility. The manufacturer may
use this analogy "When you purchase a new car do you expect the
manufacturer to wash it every time it gets dirty" keeping your car
and your roof clean is your responsibility we just tell you how you
can do it!
PROBLEM SOLVED?
Not quite, today's homeowners are more savvy they were
50 years ago. They are NOT going to get on their roof with a bucket
of bleach and a scrub brush.
Some individuals saw
this growing dilemma as an opportunity to make quick money by
cleaning roofs. They took the suggestions the manufacturers
had given to the homeowners to stop them from complaining about roof
stains as a professional endorsement and guide for professional roof
cleaning practices.
Some roofing
shingle manufacturers even tried to set up contractors coast to coast
cleaning roofs with chlorine bleach only to realize later that it was
more
dangerous than they ever anticipated and the risk were too high. There were too many problems
associated with chlorine bleaching. They did NOT continue with the
program or continue to allow their name to be used in connection
with chlorine roof cleaning. It was risky business which they
soon learned and they quit doing it.
Does chlorine solve the
problem or just bleach out the stains? Chlorine only bleaches
the color out of the algae or fungus growing on the shingles.
IMPORTANT: The
bleached out dead (remains) of the fungi and algae carcasses of these stain
producing organisms remain, on the roof under and around the limestone granules on the shingles.
NEXT: The chlorine completely dissipates into the atmosphere
within just
24 hours leaving the bleached out dead organic matter surrounding the
roof granules just as it was before bleaching. The algae and fungi was killed
but NOT removed. The stains were merely bleached so they are not
noticeable. This dead matter left on the roof is exactly what the
airborne spores are attracted to in order to developed a new colony. In some areas the
fungus grows so rapidly the stains return within months after chlorine bleaching.
Stain producing Algae & Fungi
live on, under and around roof granules,
bleach does NOT remove
them it just bleaches out the color!
What are the dangers associated with
chlorine roof stain removal?
Typical Roof Cleaner
Applying DANGEROUS Chlorine Bleach
While spraying
chlorine on the roof it often drips off and can kills plants
shrubs and grass. Chlorine also discolors wood decking.
That is not all, as
Chlorine enters the ground around the house it neutralizes the
termite protection products use to protect home from
subterranean termites.
What is Chlorine?
Chlorine is a natural element, a yellow-green gas at room
temperature. It is heavier than air, but under the correct
pressure and temperature, it can be converted into liquid.
Chlorine when released into the air, reacts with water to make
hydrochloric acid.
The gas released
from the multi gallons of liquid chlorine bleach sprayed on a
 roof
in an effort to remove roof stains contains is the same
noxious fumes that was used in World War 1 to
maim and kill enemy
soldiers. Chlorine gas was first introduced as a weapon on April
22, 1915 at Ypres Belgium by the German Army, the results of
this weapon were disastrous because gas masks had not yet been
invented. The feared, concentrated, fumes were known as (Mustard
Gas). Chlorine fumes create hydrochloric acid on contact with
mucous membranes of the throat, nose, lungs and eyes, or
perspiration on skin causing burning of tissue. The hydrochloric
acid then attacks the nervous system causing severe head aches,
dizziness, shortness of breath, lethargy and death. Read the
cautions on any chlorine bleach bottle. Use extreme caution may
cause serous skin burns or could cause death. Never mix
with other products.
Chlorine
Effects On Health & Environment Chlorine Institute
Findings
When roof
cleaners say we don't use Sodium Hypochlorite?
What do they use?
SAFE
Non Chlorine
Roof Stain Removal
With all of
this negative talk about the dangers of
chlorine roof cleaning
is there a safe way to clean a roof? YES there is! RCAI certified contractors safely
remove roof stains all around the globe without the use
of harsh, unsafe chlorine bleach.
Ask any RCAI certified contractor about
chlorine bleach roof cleaning and they will tell you point blank from their
own observations and experience that anyone who attempts to spray
sodium hypochlorite or calcium hypochlorite
chlorine bleach on a roof to remove
stains are not telling their customers the whole truth. Either they
are not fully aware of just what they are doing or they just don't
care.
Always seek out an RCAI Certified Safe
Roof Stain Removal Contractor when roof stains are a problem. |
