How long does a SH/Gain Ultra Mix Last?

[Brian A]

Yes and thank you. I'll be doing that today since it's finally Saturday. It's the crazy season here in Australia, so I only have time to do extras from about 9pm to midnight

[3LM Roof Cleaning]

Thanks for all the great advice guys!

I went ahead and setup 8 sample containers to run a 3 month test on checking weekly PH/Available levels.  I'm always curious, and love testing things out!  I'll post the results here

 

I won't say what chemicals I'm adding to the test mixes just yet, but each one has a stabilizing agent and different amounts/types of surfactant in it.  Should be a fun test

 

 

NewGuyRoofer, you're sounding like Chris Tucker now...LOL. What will you use to measure the PH?

 

Same question, How are you measuring the PH?

 

And does the PH level directly coorelate to the strength of the mix?

[Roof Cleaning Jacksonville FL 904-304-0810]

On the laundry detergent bit. I used tide cold water for house washing for a long time. It's an awesome detergent and surfactant, and covers the smell of sh really good.

 

That said, I don't use it in a roof mix. There are better things out there for this purpose, but if using it for house washing, it's a great soap. 

[Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777]

Same question, How are you measuring the PH?

 

And does the PH level directly coorelate to the strength of the mix?

SH is quite PH dependent. At lower PH's, it becomes a disinfectant, and at higher PH Levels, it becomes a cleaner.

As long as the PH is above PH 12 , you are pretty much good to go.

[3LM Roof Cleaning]

SH is quite PH dependent. At lower PH's, it becomes a disinfectant, and at higher PH Levels, it becomes a cleaner.

As long as the PH is above PH 12 , you are pretty much good to go.

Good info. How would you test the PH level?

I just did fairly large tile roof yesterday and I kept going back and forth on if I should waste what was in my tank, boost it or just go with it.

[Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777]

Good info. How would you test the PH level?

I just did fairly large tile roof yesterday and I kept going back and forth on if I should waste what was in my tank, boost it or just go with it.

You need a test kit with a meter, sort of like this one, that is made special for measuring the PH of sodium hypochlorite http://www.coleparmer.com/Product/Aqua_Comparator_Test_Kit_Chlorine_Sodium_Hypochlorite_2_18_NaOCl/UX-05542-36?referred_id=778&mkwid=G5MUX8Vz&pcrid=49849374039&gclid=Cj0KEQiAzvmkBRCm3ZbV-4-hwrYBEiQAgLOw69VS9ib7rpG8G81OutNOKqZ-Avci6RmOvWbaZuB-rhYaAlOU8P8HAQ#vircatalog

 

You must be careful when ordering one of these, to be sure it measures PH, and not availiable Chlorine!  Call them first, and explain what you want, before you order.

[Bergman Roof Cleaning]

A great Plan, but if the mix is very very old and weak, sometimes it is best to shit can it, and start fresh.

The Chlorine evaporates/weakens, the salt does not. Adding say 30 gallons of fresh SH, to a 60 gallon mix of old roof cleaning chemical, will clean roofs, but it will also kill plants faster then you will believe.

I ran into this. I know it's a little old, but, it never ceases to amaze me, that after doing this 20+ years, I can still learn from Chris T. !!!

I knew that older chlorine got weak and always keep mine fresh-seldom over 3 days old. But I DID NOT KNOW that old SH "will also kill plants faster then you will believe" but after reading what you said Chris, it makes perfect sense! It's laden with salt and the salt can kill plants as well as SH can!

Thanks again for enlightening this old roof guy!

[Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777]

I ran into this. I know it's a little old, but, it never ceases to amaze me, that after doing this 20+ years, I can still learn from Chris T. !!!

I knew that older chlorine got weak and always keep mine fresh-seldom over 3 days old. But I DID NOT KNOW that old SH "will also kill plants faster then you will believe" but after reading what you said Chris, it makes perfect sense! It's laden with salt and the salt can kill plants as well as SH can!

Thanks again for enlightening this old roof guy!

Yeah, we found this out the hard way Chuck. My Son's Mom had a Kidney Transplant out West, so he took a full Month off, to be at his Mothers side, while she was recovering.

His truck sat all that month, and had a little over 1/2 of a 300 gallon tank of chemical. He came back, and treated this more or less like it was water only in the tanks. He sprayed some out to test it on the driveway and sidewalks first, it was DEAD.

I worked the ground for him, and I am a great groundman. We did 3 houses with that crap that day, and all the houses had severe plant damage, though I watered very very well

Dead Chemical means that the chlorine molecule has hauled ass, and left salt water

We filled up that 300 gallon tank with chemical, until it was about a 25 to 30% mixture, what we always use for shingle roof.

It was not real strong, and though it was hot and sunny that day, did not clean any different then it always does, indicating it was not a strong mix at all.

But is sure as hell killed plants like a strong mix :(

[Brian A]

Thanks for all the great advice guys!

I went ahead and setup 8 sample containers to run a 3 month test on checking weekly PH/Available levels.  I'm always curious, and love testing things out!  I'll post the results here

 

I won't say what chemicals I'm adding to the test mixes just yet, but each one has a stabilizing agent and different amounts/types of surfactant in it.  Should be a fun test

Ready for feedback on the results yet? I'm very curious.

[Ultimate Roof Cleaning & Pressure Washing]

How long will SH last contained in a 55 gallon drum straight from the chemical company? I would like to buy in bulk for reduced price. Here in Northeast IN its $3/gallon or $2.25/330 gallons 

[Curb Appeal Pros LLC]

How long will SH last contained in a 55 gallon drum straight from the chemical company? I would like to buy in bulk for reduced price. Here in Northeast IN its $3/gallon or $2.25/330 gallons 

So I asked this question to my chemical company we use. Many things you have to factor in like 

is it in direct sunlight?

Whats the tempature like?

How fresh is it when you got it?

I think many will agree that " some people" say after 30 days it starts loosing its full effect including the chemical company but thats not to say that after 30 days its salt water and you need to throw it away I dont find that to be true. Think about buying bleach from walmart the 1 gallon jugs dont have a 30 day shelf life I have a bottle in my garage its been 1.5 months and its still plenty strong. After 30 days I think you may need to make a "stronger" mix MAYBE but we are buying 330 gallon totes and I feel that I can use that every 6 weeks so I am not to worries about shelf life because 6 weeks for 330 gallons is really not that unrealistic.. After that maybe it becomes shi* but in my own opinion I think you would be ok if you keep SH no more than 6 weeks IF ITS NOT in sunlight.

Just my opinion.

 

[Ultimate Roof Cleaning & Pressure Washing]

I was planning on storing it in my garage(no sunlight), but it will be hot or warm temperatures. I'm switching to soft wash this spring, I'm estimating I'll use about 330 in a month. So if it's good for 30 days, then great! 

 

[Curb Appeal Pros LLC]

I was planning on storing it in my garage(no sunlight), but it will be hot or warm temperatures. I'm switching to soft wash this spring, I'm estimating I'll use about 330 in a month. So if it's good for 30 days, then great! 

 

yeah for sure 30 days your good. id say 30-45 days your safe to use it after that it might just be really weak but you could still prob use it after the 45 days.. 30 days your good man I would not even worry about it! Just my opinion but that's straight from the chemical company. We are doing what your doing and I know  a few others are doing the same thing. We are storing it in a garage like setting also in hot/humid weather but no sunlight so dont lose sleep over it I think your good.

[Ultimate Roof Cleaning & Pressure Washing]

Right on, thanks 

[Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777]

When your SH/Water/Gain Ultra mix finally goes bad, trash it. Do NOT add more fresh SH to "wake it up"    Doing so adds much un necessary SALT to your mix, and can kill the heck out of all the plants. 

[guns and hoses]

When your SH/Water/Gain Ultra mix finally goes bad, trash it. Do NOT add more fresh SH to "wake it up"    Doing so adds much un necessary SALT to your mix, and can kill the heck out of all the plants. 

Chris do you ever get tired of being right?  LOL!  I have not had many problems with plants in 20 years doing this business. So I was a little shocked that I had a couple unusual deaths this past summer. I attributed to a bad ground man at the time. And he was not the best. But I know think it was partially  what you just said. The other may have been a combination of that and really really really  bad water pressure on the house.  Guys when you have bad water pressure make your guys stay and water twice as long.  Especially in winter when you have to use a  lot more mix than you would otherwise in warm weather.

[Jim Ordway]

 

You need a test kit with a meter, sort of like this one, that is made special for measuring the PH of sodium hypochlorite http://www.coleparmer.com/Product/Aqua_Comparator_Test_Kit_Chlorine_Sodium_Hypochlorite_2_18_NaOCl/UX-05542-36?referred_id=778&mkwid=G5MUX8Vz&pcrid=49849374039&gclid=Cj0KEQiAzvmkBRCm3ZbV-4-hwrYBEiQAgLOw69VS9ib7rpG8G81OutNOKqZ-Avci6RmOvWbaZuB-rhYaAlOU8P8HAQ#vircatalog

 

You must be careful when ordering one of these, to be sure it measures PH, and not availiable Chlorine!  Call them first, and explain what you want, before you order.

This is awesome info.  I have asked in other groups on FB about testing the strength of SH and the answer was "rub it between your fingers and if it gets hot, it's good."  Lol.

I am aware that if the % strength is X than I know how to dilute it to get to the % I am intending to use.  The SH I am getting is right around 12.5%, or so labeled, but over time the strength is going to drop, at what % is it no longer effective?  And, can the % of the SH be measured that accurately using pH?

[Brian Todd]

I now see the advantage of a 12V system rather than downstreaming.  As a beginner I want to ask how to optimize the performance of SH via downstreaming until I can justify the purchase of a 12V pump system.  Your input will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance.  

[Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777]

I now see the advantage of a 12V system rather than downstreaming.  As a beginner I want to ask how to optimize the performance of SH via downstreaming until I can justify the purchase of a 12V pump system.  Your input will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance.  

It is nearly impossible to get enough draw by downstreaming, especially with a high GPM and high pressure pressure washer. The one guy I knew who used to downstream roofs used a cheap home depot pressure washer. His name was Jeff LeCours up in South Carolina who owns JL Pressure Washing

[Brian Todd]

It is nearly impossible to get enough draw by downstreaming, especially with a high GPM and high pressure pressure washer. The one guy I knew who used to downstream roofs used a cheap home depot pressure washer. His name was Jeff LeCours up in South Carolina who owns JL Pressure Washing

I am currently running a 4GPM/4000PSI Honda with 66DX Cat Pump.  It's an impressive machine considering the low GPM.  Thanks for info.  

[ghostrider]

Where do you purchase SH?

[Dez]

I am currently running a 4GPM/4000PSI Honda with 66DX Cat Pump.  It's an impressive machine considering the low GPM.  Thanks for info.  

Hey same setup here! My favorite addition to it has been a #4 Kynar Assassin nozzle and a SS Allison injector #1 orrifice) in it. My old injector was draining a 5 gal in about 12 1/2 mins. The new injector is giving me an empty bucket in about 8 min flat. I have a 5.3 gpm Shurflo bypass pump coming via FedEx that should give me a 50/50 mix on my pw that I can then meter down.