Preparation

Before starting, treat a test patch to manage your customer’s expectations of what can realistically be achieved; and help them understand how the material the slates are made of will react to the softwashing
process.

The softwash cleaning process

1. Surface preparation: Begin by scraping the roof with a nylon blade, then use a polypropylene brush to remove any loose debris and biofilm. Clean gutters thoroughly with an industrial vacuum
cleaner to prevent run-off and contamination of the debris.

2. Recommended chemical treatment: For cleaning artificial or man-made slates, we recommend using Benz Bio Cleanze. This product harnesses the power of capillary action to penetrate and kill biofilm responsible for unsightly roofs, e.g., algae, and other organic growth from the surface.

3. Application: Apply Bio Cleanze evenly across the roof surface using appropriate soft washing equipment. Ensure thorough and even saturation of the biofilm for consistent results. DO NOT RINSE. Allow Bio Cleanze to remain on the surface without rinsing.

Expected results

● The formulation of Bio Cleanze uses the power of capillary action to penetrate and treat the spores of the biofilm deeper than other chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite-based biocides.

● Bio Cleanze removes unsightly organic stains, revealing the natural colour and texture of the slates. This process may continue for weeks, months, or sometimes over a year.

● After treatment a roof may initially appear patchy due to varying levels of biofilm removal and the subsequent exposure of underlying slates. The roof will continue to clean through natural weathering for the next 7-12 months.

Manage expectations

● Educate your customers about the potential for a patchy appearance post-cleaning, which is a natural outcome of the process and does not indicate an issue with the cleaning. This is because the process has exposed the condition of the artificial slate coating underneath the biofilm.

● For a detailed demonstration of soft washing artificial slates using Bio Cleanze, watch our full video guides here with out dedicated Youtube playlist.