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08-31-2007, 04:23 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Maine
5,031 posts, read 3,296,820 times
Reputation: 1708
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Question for the realtors out there
As you all know, we've been fixing/sprucing up the house before listing it next week. Our realtor suggested we use a seed spreader and cover the roof with Tide with bleach before a rain to clean the roof. We did. It rained - hard! Now, the entire roof is all splotchy looking. Some places did clean very well, but the overall appearance looks like crap. We've been told not to use a pressure washer on it to avoid blowing the shingles off, but, aside from getting up there and going over the entire thing with a scrub brush (not happening!) what should we do? Any suggestions? Thanks!!
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08-31-2007, 04:34 PM
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"status" from Dale Carnegie
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: a step from New Brunswick...
6,956 posts, read 3,303,918 times
Reputation: 4650
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would using the Tide one more time help even it out a bit? are you expecting rain again soon? I've never heard of doing this! was it to make the shingles look newer? Good luck El!
(sorry, I'm not a realtor but I play one on TV!  )
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08-31-2007, 05:46 PM
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Zymurgical Alchemist
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Log "cabin" west of Bangor
1,520 posts, read 889,256 times
Reputation: 693
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elcarim
As you all know, we've been fixing/sprucing up the house before listing it next week. Our realtor suggested we use a seed spreader and cover the roof with Tide with bleach before a rain to clean the roof. We did. It rained - hard! Now, the entire roof is all splotchy looking. Some places did clean very well, but the overall appearance looks like crap. We've been told not to use a pressure washer on it to avoid blowing the shingles off, but, aside from getting up there and going over the entire thing with a scrub brush (not happening!) what should we do? Any suggestions? Thanks!!
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What's the roof made of? Asphalt shingles?
If so, no scrub brush and no pressure washer, best bet might be to just leave it alone. If it looks really bad, you could mix up a bleach solution with water and use a low-pressure sprayer to apply it, that might even it out some.
One of those home improvement/builder shows ran a segment about using that same method to kill off lichen growing on the roof. Might have been "This Old House".
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08-31-2007, 05:57 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Maine
5,031 posts, read 3,296,820 times
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Yes, asphalt shingles. DH said this afternoon he's going to go up with his fertilizer bottle that hooks onto the water hose and try some liquid detergent on it and see if that will work. We just want to be careful not to cause any damage that will result in a costly repair before we can sell. The roof is 11 years old, and we don't want to have to replace it!
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08-31-2007, 06:00 PM
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Zymurgical Alchemist
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Log "cabin" west of Bangor
1,520 posts, read 889,256 times
Reputation: 693
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elcarim
Yes, asphalt shingles. DH said this afternoon he's going to go up with his fertilizer bottle that hooks onto the water hose and try some liquid detergent on it and see if that will work. We just want to be careful not to cause any damage that will result in a costly repair before we can sell. The roof is 11 years old, and we don't want to have to replace it!
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Replacing the roof could definitely put an expensive crimp in your plans. I'm assuming that he knows enough to only spray from the peak down? (so as not to force any water up under the shingles.)
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08-31-2007, 08:29 PM
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Real Estate Agent
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Gorham, Maine
863 posts, read 557,492 times
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I always consult a building inspector, but I think your REALTOR may have made something out of nothing. When I'm working with a buyer, they want to know how much usable life the roof has, and most shingles last 20-30 years. With an 11 year old roof, you should have nothing to worry about. In the state of Maine, the seller has to disclose how old the roof is and how old the shingles are. If a house is surrounded by trees that overhang the roof, that will shorten the life. Ice dams (snow that melts and re-freezes and melts) is also a problem, although I assume not in Texas.
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08-31-2007, 08:42 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Maine
5,031 posts, read 3,296,820 times
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There is no question of needing to replace the roof, unless we damage it trying to get it clean. The only issue is that it's black and it's supposed to be tan. Now it's more of a calico look!
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09-01-2007, 06:40 AM
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Eastport, ME (someday)
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Southwestern Ohio
3,946 posts, read 1,602,676 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elcarim
There is no question of needing to replace the roof, unless we damage it trying to get it clean. The only issue is that it's black and it's supposed to be tan. Now it's more of a calico look!
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Maybe the buyer will like calico. But, seriuosly, maybe try doing a search on diy or hgtv's website as they may have some helpful tips. Good luck!
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09-01-2007, 07:09 AM
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Real Estate Agent
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Join Date: Oct 2006
2,911 posts, read 2,321,232 times
Reputation: 1837
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elcarim
There is no question of needing to replace the roof, unless we damage it trying to get it clean. The only issue is that it's black and it's supposed to be tan. Now it's more of a calico look!
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the next time you see that realtor,,,spread some tide and bleach over her,,see if it works,,
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09-01-2007, 07:11 AM
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Real Estate Agent
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Join Date: Oct 2006
2,911 posts, read 2,321,232 times
Reputation: 1837
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elcarim
There is no question of needing to replace the roof, unless we damage it trying to get it clean. The only issue is that it's black and it's supposed to be tan. Now it's more of a calico look!
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you could tell a new buyer these are the latest "architectural calico shingles"
just came out,,goes with any color,,if you decide to paint the house.
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