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Old 08-31-2007, 03:23 PM
 
Location: Maine
5,054 posts, read 12,424,082 times
Reputation: 1869

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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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Old 08-31-2007, 03:34 PM
 
Location: Teton Valley Idaho
7,395 posts, read 13,102,570 times
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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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Old 08-31-2007, 04:46 PM
 
Location: Log "cabin" west of Bangor
7,057 posts, read 9,082,573 times
Reputation: 15634
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elcarim View Post
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!!
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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Old 08-31-2007, 04:57 PM
 
Location: Maine
5,054 posts, read 12,424,082 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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Old 08-31-2007, 05:00 PM
 
Location: Log "cabin" west of Bangor
7,057 posts, read 9,082,573 times
Reputation: 15634
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elcarim View Post
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!
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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Old 08-31-2007, 07:29 PM
 
Location: Gorham, Maine
1,973 posts, read 5,225,413 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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Old 08-31-2007, 07:42 PM
 
Location: Maine
5,054 posts, read 12,424,082 times
Reputation: 1869
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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Old 09-01-2007, 05:40 AM
 
Location: Southwestern Ohio
4,112 posts, read 6,520,821 times
Reputation: 1625
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elcarim View Post
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!
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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Old 09-01-2007, 06:09 AM
 
19,969 posts, read 30,227,645 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elcarim View Post
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!
the next time you see that realtor,,,spread some tide and bleach over her,,see if it works,,
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Old 09-01-2007, 06:11 AM
 
19,969 posts, read 30,227,645 times
Reputation: 40042
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elcarim View Post
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!

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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