pressure cleaning chemicals and plants

[Diane56Victor]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

Diane - it is a funny thing you mentioned this because there is some sort of nefarious relationship between the code enforcement and laborers in this area, to wit, my neighbor across the street and I always joke about how we get flyers from pressure washing companies and then violations like a week later.

I was joking with the clerks at the city hall over the phone and one said completely seriously that the overwhelming majority of complaints to code are from "anonymous citizen" or a name that does not match a neighbor. so i suspect that the various roof cleaning, driveway repair, fence repair and lawn companied are calling code enforcement just to drum up business in the region?!?!

makes me NEVER want to call the companies with the flyers if they are the ones who are calling in complaints

the city does not allow for the collection of rainwater (not because of run off laws or drought, they feel they are ugly) i have three barrels

That is an underhanded way to go about business. If they are that way about getting business then they wont care two hoots for what they put in the water to wash the roof off. Also not good is the attitude of the local authority 'knowing' the complaint isnt really justified but still going ahead with the citation.

Well with those things stacked against you, carry on making plans to wash your own roof, who knows if your neighbours see you doing it you could end up with a second job..... Or at least neighbour could help neighbour to keep their roof clean. Then the contractors wouldnt get any work from your street!
Play them at their own game!

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

they mandate the cleanliness of the roof tiles and i was informed mine needed to be cleaned or there would be a citation.

I can understand HOA imposing those 'rules' (and that's a maybe!) ....... but the govt imposing that rule is getting a bit like domineering. Probably none of their business ------ unless there's some reason for it, such as tiles falling on home occupants, or tiles getting blown onto other people and houses during a storm - or something.

Other than that - if cleaning is due to just dirt on tiles, then that's just ridiculous! I don't think we have that sort of rule here in Australia.

The govt over there probably needs to do a review on their rule ----- such as regarding chemicals. Also surprising in that there doesn't appear to be companies that can just help out with cleaning with just high enough pressure water spray.

Maybe due to the amount of water they need to use ------- not sure. Surely some sort of electrical scrubbing machine could be used or something ----- unless they're trying to clear stuff out from between tiles.

That's just nasty how their chemicals negatively impact the health of the plants. If it's unavoidable, then definitely the orchids will need to be fully covered ----- absolutely fully until those exterminators are gone.

[DirtyCoconuts]

the whole affair is upsetting and i have determined to both warn others AND be proactive to avoid it again.

I ordered a barrel of h2o2 and i am going to start doing semi monthly applications

this will be the last of the horror pics too..i wanted to show just how volatile this crap was - look at the damage from the pics of this vanda yellow to brown. so much loss of vitality

Untitled by J Solo, on Flickr


compare the healthy roots on the left with this poor guy in center frame


Untitled by J Solo, on Flickr

[Roberta]

Yikes!

[Ray]

As this thread was reawakened, I decided to reread it, and it got me thinking about the chemicals used.

I suspect they are using sodium hydroxide, possibly mixed with sodium hypochlorite (bleach). I use a commercial product like that about annually to get rid of the algae that grows on the vinyl fencing around my house. By treating, then thoroughly rinsing, I see no plant damage whatsoever, so that makes me think they are using a far more concentrated version that would (of course) result in local contamination.

A quick google search of “Florida tile roof cleaning chemicals” turned up several supposedly safe and environmentally friendly alternatives.