Is This The End Of Squeaky Clean Roofs?

In this video I clean and biocide two roofs in a week. See how I get on and find out what the future is for Squeaky Clean Roofs
Make sure you check out The Cleaning Guide youtube channel for reviews on roof cleaning euiptment and Gutter vacuums.
KZbin channel:- • Video
Website:- thecleaninggui...
Equipment used
GVS Predator
GVS Ridge scraper
Streamline Scrapers
GK Pro Biocide
Ova8 22' hi mod pole
22' Phantom full carbon pole

[@andrewwelsh2744]

Just dabbling into roof cleaning, very hard work u def earn your money. Well done my brother!!!

[@leroichristiantavenier5739]

I very much appreciate that you chose to tell us all how you felt at the end of the job, as you could have just kept that to yourself. It encourages us all to be humble and accept our limits. Great video 👍

[@squeakycleandave1]

I don’t see the point of not being honest in my videos as it doesn’t help anyone if you aren’t 👍

[@SamuelPeden]

You'll soon understand the aches and pains fully :-P

[@leroichristiantavenier5739]

@@SamuelPeden 15 years delayed, I'm so ready for it.👍

[@peterbalac1915]

Was impressed by the gear your using, done a fair few over the years the really hard way trowels, steel float, and stiff brush mainly doing roof overhauls on period property's. Retired now it got to the stage you could give me the best job with the most money and I still didn't want to do it. I ache in places I never knew existed, great video quality job brother respect.

[@squeakycleandave1]

Thanks Peter. I’ve found a few of those places 🤣

[@rickkozarits8930]

For what it’s worth Dave I contemplated roof cleaning earlier this year but at 57 I decided nah ! It’s a young man’s job so I’m sticking to windows, gutters & pressure washing .keep up the good work fella 👍👍

[@squeakycleandave1]

I’m catching you up Rick. I was 53 this year but sometimes feel 83🤣

[@rickkozarits8930]

@@squeakycleandave1 ha ha ! If only I was twenty years younger .having said that I’m snowed under with work on the glass so I’m not that fussed tbh . Enjoy your day pal 👍

[@thomaswightman2659]

Fair play dave, you did a great job, very proffesional! I did my first roof clean the other day just using a scraper and it's so much more graft than I expected, did the whole thing in the rain and I think that was my first mistake, everything just sticks to the roof like glue even after you've scraped it! Keep up the good work bud and look after your body!

[@squeakycleandave1]

Thanks Thomas 👍

[@ched999uk]

You have to listen to your body. It's not worth the aches and pains plus you could be out of action for your window cleaning and lose money there! It has been great to see how you got on and well done for calling time when necessary.

[@squeakycleandave1]

Thanks Ched👍

[@ChrisWalterAquaManiac]

Have you considered using copper roof tape after cleaning the roof? It releases copper ions that create an invisible barrier, deterring moss and algae growth for years. You can google Anti-moss copper roof tape to find a good local supplier

[@squeakycleandave1]

I had thought about that but the big house in the video already had it and it hadn’t seemed to have worked

[@swsgrowthguide]

Roof cleaning is hard work. We decided to really push roof cleaning late 2019. Prior to roofs we were cleaning render, stone, cladding and other types of exterior surfaces. The challenge in Oct 2019 - could we do £1,000,000 in roof cleaning in our first year? Luckily for us the pandemic came in early 2020 which meant everybody was at home. Plenty of money. Nothing to do. So home improvements were on the rise. We quickly built up 3 teams of two man roof cleaners and soon we were surpassing the £100k per month target. We broke the £1,000,000 barrier three years running. Our teams did ONLY roof and other exterior cleaning tasks. It is hard work and the guys became fitter than they had ever been. So why am I telling you all this? I love challenges and like watching Squeaky Clean Dave and other youtubers who are involved in Window Cleaning. Which happens to be a passion of mine. I started window cleaning at 16 years old. Sold the business in 2004. Moved Abroad. Came back in 2010 and started a cleaning company. We never got involved too much in window cleaning, which bothers me a lot. So I have set myself a new challenge! Goal: Start a Window Cleaning Business and reach £1,000,000 turnover inside 2 years. Using no more than 10 window cleaning vans. Franchise it. Selling 100 franchises in 10 years. Can this be done? We will setup a dedicated youtube channel to document everything. From a standing start with 0 employees and 0 customers. I am excited to return to my favourite type of cleaning service. In my other businesses I have been fortunate to work with some great people. We have designed and built a window cleaning system which we will use for our window cleaning teams. We have branded it The Nautilus (let's hope this sub does not sink). I genuinely hope everyone is reaching their own goals in business and life. Keep the videos coming. They are great for our whole industry.

[@squeakycleandave1]

Thanks for the great reply. It will be interesting to follow along with your journey 👍

[@julianjones4181]

I agree its such hard work, like with any job its risk and reward. Ive done a couple of roofs and it was proper graft. So easy to break or chip a tile.

[@squeakycleandave1]

You are so right Julian 👍

[@Unemployable_Bobby]

Totally agree Dave! I’ve stopped doing roofs. The money is excellent but it’s such a ball ache!

[@squeakycleandave1]

Thanks Bobby 👍

[@robertlesser6699]

Modesty is a beautiful quality. You’re a wise Man!

[@alexscott6031]

Interesting comments Dave Having done the same thing and started adding roof cleaning to my services I have been enjoying them. Done my first roof clean with a mosmatic & turbo off a pressure washer last week and definitely found that harder work than scraping. Worth keeping your gear and just focusing on the easy to do roofs with good access.

[@squeakycleandave1]

Thanks Alex 👍

[@gregorybenzaaza7228]

Thanks for the video i am from belguim i do a 160 roofs a year its verry hard work but like you say its better do it every day lots of succes i wish for u

[@squeakycleandave1]

Thanks for watching Gregory and respect to you for killing it on the roof cleaning 👍

[@MMTWRX]

Dave when I did the biocide course they taught treat from the bottom up. Reason for that is you are always applying the chemical straight on to a dry surface. Doing it the way you’re doing it dirty chemical is cascading down where you are about to treat. Apart from that I think you do a very thorough job mate. 👍🏼

[@squeakycleandave1]

Thanks Mick

[@PottersWindowCleaning]

What do you think happens to the tiles below as you go up? Literaly makes no difference. Old wifes tale.

[@MMTWRX]

@@PottersWindowCleaning it does make sense mate. If you go up the wall/roof you’re always spraying direct biocide onto the bricks/tiles. If you do it the other way you could be spraying onto dirty biocide cascading Dow which would weaken the mix and may not work as well. 👍🏼

[@PottersWindowCleaning]

@@MMTWRX and your way dirty biocide is washing off clean bio. Literally makes 0 difference. Every roof I’ve ever done comes up looking just the same as someone doing it from bottom up. We aren’t doing heart surgery here. As long as the tile is covered it’s all the same.

[@edwinnoort7661]

Apply from bottom to top is only important if a chemical can stain the surface, for example using things like hypo on a wall. Biocide does not stain on a roof like this so it doesn’t matter.

[@swgutter]

Fair play Dave. I clean roofs (scrape and treat) full time on my own. It does get easier but I still have to see a chiropractor regularly lol

[@squeakycleandave1]

Fair play to you bud. When I was younger I could probably done it but not these days👍

[@iansheppard9246]

Another good video sowing the ups and downs of the business. Look forward to seeing you at Stoneleigh

[@squeakycleandave1]

Thanks Ian. Be good to catch up again 👍

[@thumper1747]

Hi Dave, I’m 64 and I can totally empathise with you. I’m about to start cleaning roofs but only because I’ve got the help of a much younger and stronger man. I’m hoping to do around £35k worth of roof cleaning in 2024 so that I can assess it and start up a newco if it shows the potential required to fund a second person. Can’t do anymore than that if I’m going to stay below VAT threshold. I have no doubt 24 will be good for you, stay healthy and happy. Cheers Geoff

[@squeakycleandave1]

Thanks Geoff. Hope it all goes well for you. Do you mind me asking, how you are going to generate the customers?

[@thumper1747]

@@squeakycleandave1 Hi Dave, the usual, opportunistic chats with customers, google and cold calling G

[@joeyboy1238]

Guess he didn't like that question dave lol, hope your doing well do you have a step by step tutorial on converting a wfp to a pressure washer for roofing tia. Big fan of the channel by the way ​@@squeakycleandave1

[@markb1487]

Just found your channel. Great video. Great content. As a landscape gardener of 22 years,it certainly did look like a lot of graft..💯👍

[@squeakycleandave1]

Thanks Mark. Glad you are enjoying the channel. Its great money but defiantly hard work 👍

[@shrimpalimp89]

I'm a window cleaner and through time added all these types of big jobs that are harder on you then you realise that nothing beats the window cleaning!

[@squeakycleandave1]

It is nice to have a change occasionally though 👍

[@tightmarker9924]

Body and soul first... mature reflection later... only one can decide... always enjoy your videos Dave. Great insights on the business... cheers mate 👍👍

[@squeakycleandave1]

Thanks bud 👍

[@davidwalker6114]

I did one roof and decided it’s a young man’s game. The videos don’t show how much you are aching as you do the work. Horrible ! I really enjoyed the video 👍

[@squeakycleandave1]

Thanks David. They definitely don’t show how much they make you ache👍

[@clivebernath3490]

Spot on Dave. I knocked the roofs on the head because it kills me🤣

[@squeakycleandave1]

I'm getting too old 🤣

[@FlashTechEngineering]

Congrats Dave, keeping grounded much better, windows cleaning, Softwashing, gutters, and surface cleaning, much better and can achieve more work in the timeframe, , I do roof treatments only on single stories houses through water feed poles, S/H and bio treatments. Well done for trying 👍

[@squeakycleandave1]

Thanks Dave. It was worth a try 👍

[@FlashTechEngineering]

@@squeakycleandave1 can offer bio treatment 2 times a year, mid spring and mid autumn 👍

[@andyd2033]

I think you need to learn trigonometry Dave to help work out the roof areas 😂. Strange the guy with the bungalow didn’t want the pressure washer guy to carry on, that one section he did looks mint!

[@rattlin9194]

Dave I understand your reasons for not wanting to do roofs, I find it destroys the body also. But what about Chemical treatment only? So it's purely a matter of spray/scrub / time. A subscription basis almost where folk Have you back several times over a year to apply several coats of the hypo/algo etc

[@squeakycleandave1]

Hi Bud I am still doing a biocide treatment for people who have had their roofs cleaned previously I've actually got 2 booked in to do Kust not scrapping anymore 👍

[@rattlin9194]

@@squeakycleandave1 i did my first 'pole-scrape' on Wednesday and realised by the 5 row up it wasn't to be without a cat-ladder. Also my first proper Surface cleaning method from a ladder about a month ago. Whilst that works amazingly, there's no way that can be a regular way to earn a living, no matter what the money. My 'cat-ladder' is 3 sections of lightweight scaffolding covered in pipe insulation. Extremely light and spreads the weight out to nothingness.. soooo much easier on the body, can just sit down and gently rock back and forth with the scraper. If a customer isn't comfortable with that then I'd thank them for thier time and move on 😌

[@Rebla01]

Fair comments Dave. Been interesting watching you crack on with a couple. 👍🏽

[@squeakycleandave1]

Thanks bud

[@paudielyons3918]

Thanks for the feedback on the roof cleaning Dave. I was wondering how it was going for you. You made the right decision I think. Not worth suffering.

[@squeakycleandave1]

Thanks Paudie 👍

[@mattsmaintenance7139]

what camera do you use Dave?

[@G71cleaningServices]

That’s exactly why I stopped it mate. I do the same a garage or bungalow here and there but that’s it. I’ll catch up with you soon 👍🏻

[@squeakycleandave1]

👍I will give you a shout

[@kieranpaxton1985]

Great video Dave

[@squeakycleandave1]

Thanks Kieran 👍

[@TradMan]

Good Call bud. Health comes first. If its causing real pain then defo time to stop. Great vid as always 🤜🤛

[@squeakycleandave1]

Thanks Bud 👍

[@JPHeath]

I feel your pain, I'm based in Solihull bud, done some massive roofs this year, best investment I made was a nilfisk P200 electric pressure washer with the Nilfisk roof cleaner telescopic foamer lance, it's made applying Bio an absolute doddle, can do a 4 bed detached bio application in about 20 mins (not including moving a tower) we can even do most houses from 1 level on the tower due to the telescopic lance (it works similar to an xjet)

[@yellowmr1]

Can you add a link please?

[@squeakycleandave1]

Great advice. Thanks.

[@alexsutton9985]

Thinking I’ll do the same thing

[@squeakycleandave1]

I don't blame you

[@thecockneykayaker2239]

Pound for pound give me gutter vacuum cleaning any day of the week. I’m the same as you, lots of graft , lots of aches but I find for often not great money. I do the occasional one which I pick and choose but don’t care either way if I get the job or not

[@squeakycleandave1]

That’s exactly how I feel 👍

[@onetruecharlatan]

Getting old sucks Dave. I feel your pain brother.

[@squeakycleandave1]

Thanks bud 👍

[@alanwood4968]

We put in copper nails along the ridge tiles. End of problem.

[@squeakycleandave1]

The big job I did already had copper pipe along the ridge so it doesn’t always work

[@westwoodcleaningservices3741]

Gave up roofs 10 years ago. Became to stressful, stick to Windows/ Gutters /& Pressure washing

[@squeakycleandave1]

Totally agree 👍

[@duncan5800]

Hi Dave, I totally agree and I'm 26! I am considering only using cherry pickers on big jobs and factoring that into the quote instead of a tower.. if a customer isn't happy to pay the extra amount then I won't do it.. it might be a viable option for you too.

[@squeakycleandave1]

Hi Duncan. That’s a great suggestion 👍

[@atommachine]

Do you 🍒 pick your jobs then 🤣. ATB.

[@duncan5800]

@@atommachine hahaha good one atom 🤣

[@l.bcleaningservices]

Hard old work that roof stuff is. Used to know someone who got into it, after about 7 jobs in he had another 5 booked to do, but decided wasn't for him, good money but really does knacker the body

[@squeakycleandave1]

Its defiantly hard on the body 👍

[@seanocallaghan1017]

If you ever need any help buddy I’m would come over it’s hard work hate to say this summertime is easiest time to scrape winter is twice as hard I do agree with you if you do something regular it builds up muscle memory but always listen to your body as it’s early warning for later on in life

[@squeakycleandave1]

Thanks for the offer Sean. I’ve put my body through abuse since I started working on farms at 11 years old and it’s starting to let me know now👍

[@davidhall4914]

Good luck to you.

[@squeakycleandave1]

Thanks David 👍

[@denisripley8699]

Copper kills moss.. I wonder if some copper wire, say 4mm od, be looped/draped onto (only) the topmost tiles by ridge would sufficiently leech copper oxide onto the tiles ?

[@squeakycleandave1]

That first job I started on actually had a copper strip along the top of the roof just below the ridge tile

[@ikhurus5878]

Respect to you mate, we think we are invicible, but it get to a point where you have to call it.

[@squeakycleandave1]

I think it comes more with age 🤣

[@ikhurus5878]

@@squeakycleandave1 We are not always wiser though 🤣🤣

[@mattsmaintenance7139]

like yourself I stopped doing the roofs & like you I've kept the gear and do the odd few small ones

[@squeakycleandave1]

Good choice 👍

[@vinniebullterrier6456]

How much did you charge for the big roof that was in this video?

[@squeakycleandave1]

Sorry but I don't discuss prices publicly as it wouldn't be fair on the customer or me

[@jn2400]

Why would someone want it scrapped over pressure washing? I'd assume that would take longer and cost more.

[@squeakycleandave1]

Not all roofs are able to take pressure washing and not all customers are happy with it

[@jn2400]

Ahh, figured you'd be safe with those tile roofs. @@squeakycleandave1

[@Rogerdodger-z7x]

The reason your struggle is moving that silly unsafe tower constantly, get yourself a proper scaffolding & it’s an easier job but then it’s becomes to expensive and the client might as well get a new roof, personally as a professional roofer of 7 years I don’t recommend removing moss of roofs unless there damp issue with no Luther obvious causes, in my time roofing I’ve seen moist build up cause a leak/damp twice.

[@barrybark3995]

done a few roofs myself- theyre a killer at any price- ,never again. i read somewhere that if you run a line of aluminium sulphate on the roof line peak it runs slowly down and kills all AND stays active years whether thats true i dunno

[@squeakycleandave1]

I heard that if you put a copper strip along the ridge it also stopped it but the roof on job 1 had got one and it hadn’t stopped the moss👍

[@almilhouse9059]

If you done it using jet on extended arm I would say it's definitely easier then the scraping....

[@squeakycleandave1]

The customers hadn't wanted it pressure washed so itwasnt an option.

[@David-vn4qu]

Have you ever jet washed a roof down instead of scraping it? That roof pitch was very shallow and thought in those circumstances would be much easier?

[@squeakycleandave1]

Hi David. No I’ve never gone down that route

[@captaingorgeous685]

I have been asked to do roof cleans in the past, and I have said to people it’s a specialist thing, but to me looks like something that you would do and then at the end of the day regret, I find doing fascia cleans very hard work so there’s no way I would want to attempt a roof clean, I’m in my 60s now so it’s definitely a younger man’s game,you have to look after yourself a s you get older.

[@squeakycleandave1]

You are definitely right there.

[@alanwhitby367]

I asked a surveyor and he said add 30% for the pitch

[@squeakycleandave1]

@@alanwhitby367 great advice. Thanks

[@Reign1]

Can you recommend me a good roof scraper to start my business with please

[@squeakycleandave1]

roofscraper.co.uk/products/head-blades

[@arsh.d.savage9766]

Can a surface cleaner pressure washer be used?

[@squeakycleandave1]

Check out Partridge Exterior cleaning channel

[@nwabisajordan8463]

Hi, what setting did you have on the Dosatron and how strong is your sodium hypo? Many thanks from South Africa 🇿🇦

[@squeakycleandave1]

Hi Buddy Sorry for the delay in answering all your questions. I have been away and the internet I was logged onto was restricted. I have tried to answer them all the best I can. I don't put Hypo through the Dosatron just biocide. the model I have isn't made for hypo. the hypo model is much more expensive.

[@ChrisAddis]

Could always get a bod in to help you. But you do have to look after the body...you only get one

[@squeakycleandave1]

You are right there Chris👍

[@anonamouse9198]

Delegate the aches & pains to a younger employee? Or let the fee pay for a nice masseuse. Don’t tell Mrs Dave 🤫

[@squeakycleandave1]

Think I will pass all the leads on to a mate and change him for the lead

[@AW-Services]

The issue with that approach is you'll end up moving away from sole trader entity in many instances and then profitability and income reduce with the overhead costings of wages, NI, insurance etc

[@kieranswift9427]

I am 74 years young done my own roof hard work but worth it

[@squeakycleandave1]

Fair play to you Kieran. I hope I can still move when I’m 74

[@kieranswift9427]

@@squeakycleandave1 l hope you can never give up hope l have worked in construction all my life not easy you keep your chin up

[@squeakycleandave1]

@@kieranswift9427 I started working on farms at 11. Went into construction and ended up as a site agent on a civils company then took up the cleaning for less stress

[@michael931]

Does anyone use zinc strips for moss prevention in UK?

[@squeakycleandave1]

It’s not something that I’ve heard much about

[@michael931]

@@squeakycleandave1 somewhat common in US. They work very well. Sold on Amazon over here. You just glue or nail them on. I used polyurethane glue.

[@jeremytipler6835]

Roof cleans are exceedingly hard on the body, I do about 8-10 a year maximum.. that's enough for me at 49yo!

[@squeakycleandave1]

Fair play 👍

[@PottersWindowCleaning]

Roof cleaning is by far the hardest work. Pays well, but does destroy the body.

[@squeakycleandave1]

Totally agree Ben👍

[@nathanormiston724]

Are you using a drone or a ridiculously long pole/cam?

[@squeakycleandave1]

I was using a 22' pole taped to the top of the tower with a GoPro on it

[@nathanormiston724]

That's my next thing to buy a mi tower, i only started in February so still learning a lot. Watch all your vids the dosatron vid was a game changer! Thanks for all your help and advice.

[@squeakycleandave1]

@@nathanormiston724 glad you are finding the channel useful

[@michaelsheen9719]

Cant blame you Dave, looks too hard and problematic doing roofs

[@wernervandersteenen946]

I did stop it to Dave

[@michael931]

What do you treat them with?

[@squeakycleandave1]

It’s a biocide from GK Pro

[@patrickrogers2711]

For me doing roofs want a minimum of £750 a day after expenses for the reason your arms and muscles are sore.

[@squeakycleandave1]

So true

[@ryanfewster574]

👍🏻

[@squeakycleandave1]

👍

[@paulcampbell6316]

Just pass the roofs on to Sam for a percentage!

[@squeakycleandave1]

I would do mate but he’s moved out of the area. I have got another mate who might be interested though 👍

[@SamuelPeden]

Thanks but I'm worn out too!