Soft washing roofs the safe way (video)
A customer told us, “I’ve seen videos of soft washing roofs in which the soft washing contractor uses a spray lance to shoot the chemical up from the ground. They don't brush the soft washing chemical into the surface. They just spray on the softwash solution, leave for a while, coat again, then rinse off with water."
The videos you’ve seen likely show sodium hypochlorite being used at dangerously high levels of available chlorine.
The available chlorine concentrations being irresponsibly used are often 4%, 6% or even higher, which are toxic to the operator, customers, animals and our environment.
Benz Lightning Cleanze would work just as fast if used at the same available chlorine concentration
We do not recommend using any sodium hypochlorite-based soft washing chemical at these strengths. This is because the potential risk to persons and property far outweigh any short-term gain.
And we do not recommend high pressure spraying, or “shooting-up”, of soft wash chemicals from the ground.
There is too great a likelihood of the product damaging nearby property through spray drift and run-off.
The health of the operator can be adversely affected by the long-term ingestion of chlorine fumes and exposure to spray drift, which can harm lungs, throat, eyes and skin
The truth about Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
It is said by some that higher concentrations of softwash chemicals are fine to use if you are wearing the correct PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
However, this is just here-say and Internet misinformation. According to the actual Health & Safety legislation, when mitigating risk PPE should be used only as a “last resort”.
The law states that “Wherever there are risks to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways, the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 require PPE”.
Quick tip: It is simply not possible to spray a roof from the ground and expect heavy biological growths such as moss and lichen to disappear, without using dangerously high concentrations of chlorine.
The likelihood of something going seriously wrong when applying very strong chlorine solutions is high – a burst hose or a leaking fitting are just two examples – and in our view this risk is too great to take chances.
Considering that the same cleaning effect can be achieved using lower concentrations of soft washing chemicals, why should a contractor risk their health, their customer’s health, and risk damaging the surfaces they are cleaning?
Ben – the creator and owner of Benz Softwash – tells his soft washing customers that he could use extremely strong soft washing chemicals.
But he then goes on to tell them that the risk to his health, his employee’s health, his customer’s health, and possibility of damage to his customer’s property is just too great.
His customers are always happy about this once he clearly explains the reality of the situation. They are delighted with the results he gives them and he has a waiting list of customers booked in months ahead.
Click here to read learn the safe and effective way to soft wash roofs
We hope this information is helpful and sincerely wish you great success in your soft washing business,
Ben, Leo, Fiona, Stevie & Anthony
Click here to explore the full range of Benz softwash cleaning products
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