Comparison of the Most Common Roof Cleaning / Treatment Methods

Knowing your choices will help you determine the best method for you to keep your community's roof clean, protected, and functioning properly.

Generic Chemicals

- Chlorine Bleach ("Soft" Washing): While relatively quick and inexpensive, Chlorine Bleach is Corrosive to your roof fixtures (the boots, valleys, flashings, and underlayments which are the parts of your roof that are most susceptible to leaks) and is Toxic to the environment – Especially when used in the high-strength concentrations and not rinsed, which is very common with most inexperienced Roof Cleaning contractors. Link to Bleach Synonyms.

Cleaning and ongoing prevention with Chlorine Bleach typically requires repeating the process, or applying a diluted cleaning mixture, every 6-12 months depending on which area of the country you live in. 

This is NOT a cost-effective, long-term solution.

Note: Chlorine Bleach should always be rinsed to avoid irreparable damage to the roof.

- Oxygenated Bleach: Safer for your roof fixtures and more environmentally friendly than Chlorine Bleach, but it is more labor-intensive and requires rinsing for immediate results. These products can be used without rinsing, but require 3-6 months and adequate rainfall to see results.

Cleaning and ongoing prevention with Oxygenated Bleach typically requires repeating the process, or applying a diluted cleaning mixture, every 6-12 months depending on which area of the country you live in.


This is NOT a cost-effective, long-term solution.

Proprietary Products

- M-1 Roof & Deck Cleaner, New Again Roof Deck Cleaner (Sodium and Potassium Hydroxides) Caustic chemicals (degreasers) that are dangerous to handle, not environmentally safe, require rinsing pressures that are too high for shingle roofs, and react with the petroleum base of roof shingles to dry them out leading to a loss of granules and premature aging of the roof.

Cleaning with Sodium or Potassium Hydroxides typically requires repeating the process every 12-24 months depending on which area of the country you live in.
This is NOT a cost-effective, long-term solution.

- Clean Up Group Biocide, Spray and Forget, Wet & Forget(Quaternary Ammonium Compounds): Safer for your roof fixtures and more environmentally friendly than Chlorine Bleach, but not EPA Approved. This method is more labor-intense and requires rinsing for immediate results. These products can be used without rinsing, but require 3-6 months and adequate rainfall to see results.

Cleaning and ongoing prevention with Quaternary Ammonium Compounds typically requires repeating the process, or applying a diluted cleaning mixture, every 6-12 months depending on which area of the country you live in. Keep this in mind when you see companies advertise that they KEEP ROOFS CLEAN FOR YEARS - without mentioning that they have to repeatedly reapply their products and that you will be charged for this.This is NOT a cost-effective, long-term solution.

- Roof Restore (Proprietary Soap): Safer for your roof fixtures and more environmentally friendly than Chlorine Bleach, but it is more labor-intense and requires rinsing for immediate results.

Cleaning with Roof Restore typically requires repeating the process 18-24 months depending on which area of the country you live in.
This is NOT a cost-effective, long-term solution.

- Roof-A-Cide (EPA Approved Proprietary Copper Algaecide): Safest for the roof and the environment - and most cost-effective long-term solution. Roof-A-Cide has also been tested and approved the the largest roof materials manufacturers of Shingle, Concrete, Clay, Stone-Coated Metal, and Slate roofs.

Roof-A-Cide can be used to clean without rinsing, but requires 3-6 months and adequate rainfall to see results. With each application, Roof-A-Cide is GUARANTEED for AT LEAST 2 Full Years and only requires reapplication every 2-3 years to keep the roof clean and avoid the need for future cleaning.


This IS the ONLY cost-effective, long-term solution.

To learn more about Professional Roof Cleaning and Stain Prevention, visit out website at: Roof-A-Cide.com

Click here to locate an Authorized Roof-A-Cide Applicator near you for a free estimate on protecting your property:

http://roof-a-cide.com/Locate.html

Or Call: 800/806-6727

 

Note: Roof-A-Cide is ONLY available to our

Authorized Roof-A-Cide Applicators.

Authorized Roof-A-Cide Applicators are licensed, trained, and equipped to clean your roof properly, apply Roof-A-Cide, and extend our Unconditional, 2-Year Guarantee.