Hello!
My name is Chuck Bergman,
I started in the pressure washing business in 1978.
I'm 62 years old now and my son, who has worked a straight 18 years with me, does most of the work in our business. I still do some of the easier jobs, as needed, during our busy winters here in Florida.
Also, on some of our roof cleaning jobs - which is what we specialize in - I often work as a "ground man"
I am also a licensed painter, but don't care much for painting anymore [ I started the painting in 1976 ] so, I don't do a lot of it, maybe a dozen or so exteriors a year.
I hope to make some friends here and will be glad to assist anyone who is newer at pressure cleaning.
Where I am lacking, is not in pressure cleaning / chemical / Roof restoration etc
I am lacking in computer / web understanding. I have done what I can to create an online presence, but I am sure open to advice!!!
Thanks for the nice site to participate in.
I have included, what I thought was a good piece of information written by Dr Victor H Morgenroth about the value of our removing roof algae discolorations.
I am in SW Florida and I work in these areas.
Englewood 941-474-8883
Cape Haze, Placida, Rotonda, Grove City 941-698-1959
Venice, Nokomis, Osprey, South Sarasota 941-483-3673
Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, PGI 941-255-8600HEALTH ISSUES CAUSED BY UNCLEANED ROOFS
AS WRITTEN BY
Dr Victor H Morgenroth
Can A Dirty Roof Make You Sick? Read what Doctor Victor H Morgenroth,
who is a semi-retired adjunct professor at UM had to say on the subject.
The " dirt " on roofs could actually be causing illness.
This is an excerpt from an article that was written by Dr. Morgenroth.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Having your roof cleaned actually makes sense.
It isn't just aesthetics. While people like to say that dirty roofs
lower a property's value
and may make it hard to sell, the "dirt" on a roof actually
shortens its life span and
can even present a health hazard. Furthermore, the "dark stains"
on a roof act as a sponge
to absorb the sun's heat, which causes a rise in the temperature
inside a home or building,
creating higher air conditioning bills.
The dirt isn't just dust – It's alive. Some of the black or very dark
roof stains are caused by
a resilient type of algae,Gloeocapsa magma
(a type of blue-green algae commonly found
in climates with warm, humid summers). The algae grow in
standing water, as well as in our lakes and ponds.
The algal spores are carried to our roofs from the water sources
by the wind and birds,
and then from roof to roof where it grows and feeds on the
limestone filler in asphalt shingles
and the real dirt on tile roofs maybe in some cases the tiles
themselves. Worse still, as the algae grow,
they retain water and foster the growth of other roof inhabitants.
The black stains are also very likely to harbor a number of molds
or fungi.
Unlike algae the fungi on our roofs lacks chlorophyll.
They are unable to manufacture food from raw materials.
So, it must get nutrition from some form of organic matter.
To thrive, these heterotrophs,
who used to be called saprophytes, also require a warm,
humid environment.
Fungi normally begin their life cycle as an airborne spore that
settles on roofs,
especially the asphalt-shingle ones.
The spores on the northern exposure of the roof stand a better
chance of survival because
that portion of the roof is the last part to dry after a rain or
morning dew.
This raises the humidity on the surface of the shingle,
thus creating a perfect feeding and breeding ground.
The tar used in roofing is fossilized, dead organic matter --
and an important food source for fungi.
Asphalt, at the granule base, is normally consumed first.
Once these granules dislodge,
accelerated deterioration will occur. Ceramic granules represent
the outer hard shell that protects
against hail and other falling debris.
Ceramic granules protect against damaging UV radiation and
insulate the roof against extreme heat.
So you can understand that their dislodgement by the growing
fungal colonies can be detrimental to
our roofs' longevity. Surprisingly, the blue-green algae are also
food for the fungi.
While not all mold (fungi) and algae pose a health danger, some are harmful,
especially for us older folks, younger children and people who
suffer from asthma and respiratory problems.
Their spores, which are on your roof, can get inside your home
because they end up on the driveway and
walkways from rain, and are easily tracked inside.
They can even be drawn into our air conditioning systems and
eventually populate our ducts.
Different mold species can have varying health effects,
but it is important to remember that any excessive mold growth
needs to be taken care of,
regardless of the species. Any excessive mold growth can lead
to increased allergies, toxicity, and
house/building structural problems."
Dr Victor H Morgenroth
