Can you wash a roof in the rain?

Title says it all. I’ve been doing tons of roof washing lately and have a few booked. Looks like it will rain this week, I was just wondering if the rain will water the chem down too much?

Rain could mean anything from a mist to a torrential down pour. To answer your question, yes you can but just be sensible with a ladder in the rain. I have done a few in light rain and hated everything about it. Just rebook them.

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What about spraying all that 4% on the roof and it raining a couple hours later. Running it all down through the gutters and into foliage. Wouldn’t that burn all the plants below? Enough rain to run off but not enough to dilute well…

I hit every roof with a 50/50 no matter how dirty. In those instances that you described you have to assess the situation and make a call, houses have gutters here. If no gutters then you need to look up into the sky and play weatherman. I’ve washed houses in light rain as well with 1% strength i just soap it twice, never had a problem.

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That’s absolutely perfect. Nothing better than a good thunderstorm or hard rain a couple of hours after.

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Sheesh, You say you been tons of roofs. You should know. It all depends on how much rain. Light mist you’ll probably be ok. Steady rain, reschedule. Also depends on hard dirty they are.

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Ladder safety is so important. I’ve not washed roofs but have had to use ladders a few times and I make them safe to use with this: https://www.ladderm8.co.uk/

Note I am not affiliated with this product. I’ve simply found it makes using ladders feel completely safe and secure. That said if you get one, then crack your skull or die, that ain’t on me.
:slight_smile:

That thing will get you killed. Use your ladder safely and don’t foot it where you shouldn’t.

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Reduce your flow and don’t flood the roof, less is more on roofs.

I have done a fair share of roofs this last year. Only once did it rain right after. The gutter downspouts sometimes drain into plants, or if underground sometimes the drain pipes have slots and the run off can end up in the root system. My concern would be basically just a little rain, enough to wash the 4-6% solution down. I do only spray just enough for coverage, I thought I read somewhere that after a couple hours on the roof the sh loses potency so that it wouldn’t hurt anything but not sure about that. A big hard rain after is awesome as that helps rinse and dilute it well.

I just have a helper hold my ladder if a surface is sketchy. That matrix thing is pretty slick though, I can see it being useful.

That thing is going to do nothing but give you a false sense of security.

It’s pointless to put chem on a wet roof or one that can get wet before your done cleaning it.
If it rains shortly after there’s nothing to worry about if it’s a good rain . There is a lot to worry about if it’s a light rain.

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I actually put a damp towel under the levelers whenever I don’t have a helper available. Works pretty well on some surfaces. I don’t play with slimy decks, pavers or wet, sealed driveways though. Local WC died on that garbage.

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I had it on wet grass with leaves and it was fine, though went only up to the 2nd story.

You do what you want but that thing is going to kill you. Take some time learn how to properly use ladders. Hell go to you local firehouse I’m sure you can find a fireman to give you a lesson or help you with it off duty. We love side work

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Why is it going to kill me? Did you take a look at it? It has very sturdy metal grating or alternatively sticky rubber.

Yes I looked at like I said learn how to use a ladders and where you can and cant use them if ladders needed a base like that they would come from the manufacturer with one. Think about it. That thing makes using a ladder no safer than using one the correct way

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I have been using this one for years when the circumstances warrant it. It’s just as important to know how and when to use a ladder accessory as it is to use the ladder itself.
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I think ladder manufacturers 1) want to cut costs 2) don’t want to integrate metal grating into the feet because ladder feet have to be multipurpose. So really a ladder stability helper is an optional thing that in no way is going to make a ladder less safe to use when you follow the proper procedure for said accessory. A bicycle doesn’t come with a helmet. Good idea to use one anyway.

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