Pressure Washing And Roof Cleaning Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About
Pressure Washing and Roof Cleaning in the Tampa Florida area

Why should I have the exterior of my residence or business cleaned?
Not only is it important to maintain a clean property for the aesthetic value and much-desired curb appeal, but also to provide lasting protection against building material degradation. When mold, mildew, algae and other environmental pollutants found here in the Tampa Florida area are allowed to remain on the exterior surfaces of a property, they can contribute to premature paint failure, and can also cause permanent staining on concrete, gutters, and pool decks.

How long can I expect my property to stay clean?
Each and every property here in the Tampa Florida area is its own unique situation, but on average, most surfaces will stay clean for about one to 2 years. Some roof surfaces like shingles can stay clean for up to three years or longer, and less for barrel and flat tile roofs. There are many determining factors and environmental variables. Trees for instance, will create shaded and damp areas, creating an ideal environment for algae and mildew to develop and thrive in. Unusually dry or damp weather conditions can also have a direct effect on the length of time that a surface will stay clean. During periods of drought, all surfaces will stay clean longer, due to the reduction in moisture and humidity.

What causes those Black Stains on my roof?
The black streaks and stains seen on many roofs here in Tampa are caused by an algae, technically known as gloeocapsa magma. Once present in an area, the algae can quickly spread by airborne spores being carried from rooftop to rooftop by the wind, birds and other small critters. All roof types, including asphalt and fiberglass shingle, cement, ceramic and clay tile as well as wood shake or metal are susceptible to algae infestation. Our heat and humidity greatly accelerate the formation and growth of these black roof stains.

Can a roof be cleaned with a pressure washer?
Honestly, yes, roofs can be pressure washed. Is it a good idea? Absolutely not! Highly pressurized water can temporarily remove the visible stains, but the toll it takes on the shingle and tile roofing material can be extremely costly. Not only does it not destroy all the algae spores, but it can remove granules from shingled roofs and cause color-fading on tile roofs. Since pressure washing spreads the still living algae spores all over, it is not unusual to have to have your home and driveway cleaned, after the roof  has been pressure washed!

The shingle roof in the picture below is located in Tampa Palms.  These folks got a roof cleaning letter from their homeowners association. They called us for an estimate, but decided to have their shingle roof pressure washed by some other company, because it was a little cheaper. Their roof is ruined, as you can see, this damage is permanent!

Replacing a roof here in Tampa is expensive, not to mention the stress and frustration of having to do so because of a prematurely failing roofing system, that’s been damaged by too much pressure.

Water leaks can also be a major concern. Often these leaks go undetected for weeks or months, causing even more damage to the wooden trusses and rafters in the attic areas.The above-mentioned questions are but a few of the many routinely asked.

Please feel free to contact us with any and all questions or concerns that you may have by calling us at 813.655.8777.

On roofs afflicted with algae, cleaning is a good idea

This is a good article from the Pittsburgh Gazette about Roof Cleaning

This As if homeowners don’t have enough chores to keep them busy, many shingle manufacturers now recommend periodic cleaning of the roof surface.
You heard right. Many roofs need to be washed to keep them in good shape.
The black streaks seen on many roofs are algae growth which, left unchecked, can shorten the life expectancy of the roof by feeding on the limestone filler used in some newer shingles, according to GAF Materials Corp. of Wayne, N.J., a manufacturer of roofing products since 1886. Proper cleaning can kill the algae.
Frank Shuster of South Park, Pa., noticed the stains on his roof several seasons ago. After replacing the original roof, which Shuster says never had an algae problem, he noticed the unsightly streaking on his new roof about three years after it was installed.
“It was downright ugly,” he says.
He climbed up on the roof with a jug of chlorine bleach to see if it would alleviate the problem. It did, but he says the idea of cleaning the entire roof with bleach did not appeal to him, so he called several roofing contractors about the problem to no avail.
After seeing a flier distributed by Pittsburgh Roof Cleaners, he made arrangements with the company to have his roof cleaned. According to company owner Michael Inks, this type of service is relatively new to Pittsburgh but is quite common in the hot, humid Southern states, where algae can be an extreme problem.
Afflicted roofs have dark streaks that are usually most prominent on the lower section of the roof and taper off as they reach the ridge. The discoloration is caused by the algae’s protective sheath, which turns dark to protect the organism from ultraviolet rays.
Inks first heard about roof cleaning from a man in West Virginia.
“I went to visit the guy and he took me out to a couple of jobs and showed me how it works,” he says.
While algae issues are more serious in the humid South, other parts of the country can have problems too, especially on northern exposures, which receive less sunlight.
Inks’ process, which uses a proprietary solution that includes bleach, can be performed on most roofs in about two hours. Cost starts at $395.
Shuster, whose bill was $525, asked if the cleaning solution would damage his landscaping.
“I was really concerned about overspray and the wind blowing some of these chemicals on my shrubs,” he says. “But they covered the shrubbery and also hosed it down with water during the procedure.
“The vast majority of what they applied went into the rain gutters.”
The need for roof cleaning depends on the severity of environmental contaminants, the frequency of rainfall, the propensity for dirt and dust accumulation, the roof slope and draining characteristics.
There are cleaning recipes available for the do-it-yourselfer, but GAF recommends that the job be left to professionals.
Inks’ company provides a two-year warranty against the return of streaks and offers extended maintenance contracts. It also can clean slate and tile roofs.
If you are thinking of putting on a new roof, you can try to eliminate the need for this chore by requesting that your contractor install algae-resistant shingles.
Susan Banks can be reached a sbanks(at)post-gazette.com. For more stories visit scrippsnews.com
Must credit Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Tampa Roof Cleaning Questions and Answers

Here is are a few roofs we have recently cleaned here in the Tampa area.
One is a shingle roof, the other one is a tile roof.
Both of these customers are repeat customers. We cleaned both of them, several years ago.
They remembered the great job we did, cleaning their roofs, and kept our contact information, all these years.

We would like to add you to our list of happy customers. Call us at 813-655-8777 to get your roof cleaning cost, or read the information below, to help you pick someone who knows what they are doing, to clean your roof.

So you’ve finally got sick and tired of seeing the black roof stains grow and grow on your shingle or tile roof. You’ve done your research and learned it’s not jet fuel or pollution and that you don’t need a new shingle or tile roof. You’ve also learned that the expensive DIY shingle or tile roof cleaning products don’t work by researching on the internet.

Congratulations!  You are in a select group of Tampa area homeowners that have avoided the costly learning curve of removing the black shingle or tile roof stains from your home. The number one problem in this relatively new roof cleaning industry is education. Many roof cleaning contractors and product sales company’s are taking advantage of uneducated homeowners, costing them hundreds of dollars in useless or sometimes damaging chemicals or in extreme cases, thousands of dollars in unneeded shingle or tile roof replacements.

You’ve come a long way and avoided the gimmick products and the unscrupulous Tampa roofing contractor preying on the uninformed. You are out of the woods, into the light and your wallet is safe…right?

Wrong!

There are several pitfalls yet to avoid in order to get those ugly black shingle or tile roof stains cleaned from your home. There are three types of Tampa area roof cleaning contractors you should avoid. There are company’s that will (believe it or not) actually pressure wash your shingle or tile roof with equipment that would rip up your wooden fence. Just imagine what it does to your shingles. There are also company’s in Tampa that have signed on with the useless or damaging gimmick cleaners that use the smoke and mirrors of “Low Pressure” to pacify your concerns of damage. Knowing that their gimmick cleaning chemical doesn’t work, they claim and maybe even demonstrate their fancy water broom or special surface cleaner. They might even show you how low their pressure is. Here’s the catch, no amount of water pressure stronger than your water hose is safe and when they are up on your shingle or tile roof, they will use whatever pressure they need to get finished and get to the next scheduled job. Your roof is a secondary concern to their schedule. Most importantly, both of these two groups of contractors would void your roof warranty. The last type is the part timer who might or might not be doing the cleaning properly but has no insurance, no website and should their be an issue or problem, they can disappear as fast as they appeared on the Tampa roof cleaning scene.

Here are a few tips when you have decided to solicit bids on getting your roof cleaned.

Look for an established roof cleaning company. Google “roof cleaning tampa” The search engines will generally locate the most popular companies at the top of the page.
Visit their website. An established roof cleaning company will have it’s own domain and not some 5 minute directory listing.
Call and ask them questions. Do they use pressure washers to clean the roof? Will the shingle or tile roof be clean when they are finished “that day”. Ask them to explain their process.
Are they insured?

Not all roof cleaning contractors need to visit your home to provide you with an estimate. Some of the more experienced and established companies can provide you with an estimate using mobile devices to view your home while discussing it with you over the phone. If the contractor does require a visit to provide the estimate, take that opportunity to view his equipment. Most professional contractors will be in a truck or pulling a fully equipped trailer with company logo’s.

As for the costs of a shingle or tile roof cleaning in Tampa,  while most contractors won’t offer a flat rate due to the unique issues that vary from home to home,  most homes fall into a range of $325 to $700 depending on the size. (Tile Roof Always Cost More) If you own a average sized home (According to the National Association of Home Builders, the average home size in the United States was 2,700 square feet in 2009) and you have received a price exceeding $1000 you probably need to get additional bids.

Call Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa   At  813-655-8777

Roof Cleaning Training

If anyone is interested in learning the best way to clean any roof, come see us here at http://www.roofcleaninginstitute.com

I am Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Florida 813 655 8777

I have been teaching roof cleaning here in Tampa, and on the Internet for nearly 14 years.

I have trained more roof cleaners in the USA, then anyone else.

I will see to it that you receive the best roof cleaning training, complete with unlimited access to me 12 hours a day!

Here is a post I just made that has a link in it to a bunch of roof cleaning pictures http://roofcleaninginstitute.org/index.php/blog/5/entry-79-some-tile-roofs-we-have-cleaned-in-tampa-fl/

Roof Shingles Cleaning Tampa FL

APPLE ROOF CLEANING TAMPA FL
7401 Patrician Place
Tampa FL 33619
(813)293 1733
(813)655 8777

In many regions across the country and in Tampa, roof algae (Gloeocapsa Magma) is a growing problem. The algae thrives in Tampa’s warm humid climates, usually first appearing on the north facing slopes of your roof where the right amount of shade and moisture are common. With the proper atmosphere in Tampa, the algae only needs one more element to survive and that’s food.

Roof algae feeds on the crushed limestone that is used in the manufacturing of asphalt shingles. When shingles were first produced manufacturers quickly realized they were too light and would not provide adequate protection, so they added crushed limestone to the asphalt to add weight and durability to the shingles.

Gloeocapsa Magma is an airborne algae so it can land on any Tampa roof with no rhyme or reason, though it does seem to be more prominent in areas holding a lot of trees. Once the roof algae lands on the roof it will have to be killed and removed properly or it will continue to spread.
It will never get better or just go away on its own.
The algae begins feeding on the nutrients in the roofing shingles.
As it rains it is spread down the roof causing black streaks. If not taken care of it will take over the entire roof in a few short years turning the whole roof shingles black.

Information About Cleaning Roofs

 

 

 

 

This information about roof cleaning was written by our friends, and Fellow Roof Cleaning Institute Members Great White Cleaning Technologies in Tennessee.
We provide the same services here in Central Florida!

Maybe you don’t need a new roof! Asking a roofing contractor if your roof needs to be replaced, Is like asking a fast food restaurant for dieting advice

Why clean your roof?

How about reducing your energy costs? Those black streaks are soaking up UV rays which in turn heats your attic which then causes you to run the AC unit longer and more often.

What about extending the life of your shingles? I’m not talking about making a 30 year shingle last 35 years, I’m talking about making it last 30 years instead of 25 or less. Fiberglass shingles, are the most common, have been being made with limestone as a filler (in the asphalt). These shingles hold moisture and organic “bacteria food” material longer than the paper/asphalt/ceramic shingles of 20+ years ago. Additionally, these particular algae enjoy the limestone as a food source.Once the bacteria have become noticeable, the stains will continue to get worse from year to year. There is debate over the actual harmfulness of this particular bacteria to roofs. However, most “experts” within the subject area conclude the bacteria to be harmful, if left untreated, as the growth holds moisture within shingles causing premature aging, rotting, and/or granule loss.

How about just for the curb appeal? After a cleaning treatment you will be amazed about how your roof looks. Your neighbors will be happy or jealous about your new look. Your pride of home ownership will show.

A list of our non pressure cleaning services.

Roof Cleaning: Using only ARMA approved chemicals and RCIA approved processes, we gently clean your roof without the use of pressure or scrubbing the shingles. For long term benefits we do not rinse the chemical from the roof but rather leave it on for it’s systemic values. By letting the chemical mixture to dry you are creating an environment inhospitable for alge growth.

House Washing: Besides the roof, your siding is the next most common place for algae and mold to take root and grow. You have all seen homes with green or black siding and the only methods that most people use are either pressure washing or scrubbing with a brush. Neither of these sound like fun and can be damaging to the siding itself. We offer a spray and rinse non-pressure house washing service.

Gutter Cleaning: Now what about those ugly gutters? What good does it do to clean your home and roof if your gutters are clogged and stained? We don’t use a pressure washer or leaf blower to clean your gutters it is all done by hand so that we can eliminate any potential for damage to your roof or gutters. All debris are removed by hand and bagged for disposal. We then use a garden hose to flush out any remaining particles that are too small to pickup with the hand thus flushing the gutters clean. We also ensure that your down spouts are free of any debris, eliminating water backups. By not using a pressure washer or leaf blower to clean your gutters we also eliminate all the debris that would end up in your lawn or flower beds.

Call us for a free, no obligation,

Demonstration

931-933-5421

Visit our Roof Cleaning web site at for roof cleaning pictures and videos.

APPLE ROOF CLEANING TAMPA
7401 Patrician Place
Tampa FL 33619
(813)293 1733
(813)655 8777
(800)290 1377

Roof Cleaning Providence Lakes 33511

Apple Roof Cleaning 33511 uses virtually no pressure to apply our cleaning
solution. Our product and system are responsible for the remarkably
improved appearance of hundreds of houses in Providence Lakes.
Because of our roof cleaning process, your Providence Lakes Home will stay cleaner for much longer than if pressure
washed, and without causing any damage.

OUR NON PRESSURE ROOF CLEANING SYSTEM is…..

* Environmentally Safe when diluted
* Cost Effective
* Removes Embedded Algae Growth and Pollutants
* Non Destructive to roof surfaces
* Restores Roofs to Their Original Finish
* Prolongs Roof Surface Life better Than Conventional Pressure Cleaning
* Cleaning Solutions for All Roof Surfaces
* Gently Removes Algae, Mold, Mildew and other Biological and Environmental Growth

APPLE ROOF CLEANING TAMPA
7401 Patrician Place
Tampa FL 33619
(813)293 1733
(813)655 8777
(800)290 1377

Tile Roof Cleaning Arbor Green Tampa Florida

 
 

Here is a tile roof cleaning tampa we recently did in Arbor Green.
This tile roof cleaning was done in Arbor Green in New Tampa.
The Arbor Green Homeowners Association sent a roof cleaning letter to our customer.
She talked with her neighbors, and they recommended us.
This Tile Roof Cleaning in Arbor Green came out great.
We have two other neighbors of hers in Arbor Green scheduled for next week.

APPLE TILE ROOF CLEANING TAMPA FLORIDA
7401 Patrician Place
Tampa FL 33619
(813)293 1733
(813)655 8777

Roof Cleaning Bradenton FL 34201-34212, 34280-34282

Roof Cleaning Bradenton, FL 34201-34212, 34280-34282
Tile Roof Cleaning we did recently in Bradenton, Florida
If you live in Bradenton Zip Codes – 34201-34212, 34280-34282 Apple Roof Cleaning offers service in your area.
Call us Toll Free at 1 800 290 1377 for a roof cleaning estimate for your Bradenton FL home.

 
 
 
 

Bradenton FL Roof Cleaning 34201-34212, 34280-34282

APPLE ROOF CLEANING TAMPA
7401 Patrician Place
Tampa FL 33619
(813)293 1733
(813)655 8777

Roof Cleaning Tampa – Water Restrictions ?

 
 
 

Here are some good articles on Tampa Water Restrictions.
These Tampa Water Restrictions ONLY apply to DIY Roof Cleaning Homeowners.
Professional Tampa Roof Cleaning is exempt.
Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa carries our OWN Water.
Our Roof Cleaning Chemical is pre mixed and carried in chamical tanks on our dedicated tampa roof cleaning trucks.
NO trailers here !
Beware of fly by night wanna be tampa roof cleaners hauling a roof cleaning trailer around with the family pick up truck or SUV ?
Many of these are part time roof cleaning people who lack the experience/equipment to safely clean your roof.
Our dedicated tampa roof cleaning trucks show our dedication to the roof cleaning art.
We are FULL TIME Tampa Roof Cleaners, and it shows!

Water Use Restrictions
(page last reviewed: 04/09/09)

Limited rainfall, increasing irrigation demands and decreased flow in the Hillsborough River have caused Tampa’s reservoir level to decline and recover more slowly than in past years. The reservoir is Tampa’s primary drinking water source and Emergency Water Use Restrictions have been enacted to help ensure a sufficient quantity of drinking water for the Tampa community. Violating water use restrictions in Tampa may result in fines ranging from $100 to $450 and a mandatory court appearance.

By using water efficiently you may also save money. Tampa’s Schedule of Rates includes a multi-tier rate structure where the price of each billing unit of water increases as the quantity of water used in a billing cycle increases. This means that using more water will result in a higher utility bill due to the increased tier charges.

——————————————————————————–

Water Use Restrictions depend on where the property is located and what water source is being used. Links are provided below:
Water restrictions inside Tampa City limits, using public supply potable (drinking) water provided by City of Tampa Water Department

Water use with City of Tampa provided potable (drinking) water inside the City limits is restricted under Emergency Ordinance 2009-57. (Summary Sheet)

Water restrictions inside Tampa City limits, using well water and sources other than public supply potable (drinking) water provided by City of Tampa Water Department

Water use with water sources other than that provided by the City (for example, private irrigation wells) is restricted under SWF Order 09-012 and SWF Order 08-044. (Phase III Restrictions Summary) An online well registry form is available.

Water restrictions for Tampa Water Department Customers located outside Tampa City Limits in Unincorporated Hillsborough County

Water use restrictions for customers located outside Tampa city limits are enforced by Hillsborough County Water Resource Services. In accordance with SWF Order 09-012, Tampa Water Department customers outside the city limits must comply with City of Tampa water use restrictions as outlined in Tampa Ordinance 2009-57.

Water restrictions inside Tampa City limits, using well water and sources other than public supply potable (drinking) water provided by City of Tampa Water Department, for Commercial and Industrial Use, Agricultural Use, Golf Courses and Driving Ranges, and Other Athletic Play Areas

Water use with with water sources other than that provided by the City (for example, private irrigation wells) for Commercial and Industrial Use, Agricultural Use, Golf Courses and Driving Ranges, and Other Athletic Play Areas is restricted under SWF Order 07-02.

Water restrictions inside Tampa City limits using reclaimed water

The use of reclaimed water for irrigation and other non-potable uses is not restricted, although it should always be used efficiently. Customers located in Tampa’s reclaimed water service area should contact (813) 282-7827 for information of service availability.

Tampa Water Restrictions Roof Cleaning – Pressure Washing Article Below:

By NEIL JOHNSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 31, 2009

Updated: 03/31/2009 07:22 pm

Related Links

Rules Explained
TECO Signs Reclaimed Water Deal
How Are You Conserving Water?
New Standards Are Tight
BROOKSVILLE – Put away your pressure washers, cancel the school band’s carwash and reset your sprinkler timers.

Oh, yeah, and turn off your decorative fountain unless it uses reclaimed or salt water.

As of Friday, the Tampa Bay area will have its toughest-ever water restrictions, courtesy of Tuesday’s unanimous vote by the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s governing board.

The changes most likely to be noticed will shrink the window when homeowners can water and ban the use of pressure washers except by commercial operators.

The new rules are a reaction to a continued drought and expected high levels of pumping at well fields, the only source of water left for most of the region.

The restrictions apply in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. They take effect Friday and last until June 30.

Tampa, with its reliance on the Hillsborough River for most of its water, has even tougher restrictions. Starting Friday, most city residents can water lawns and shrubs only by hand.

Dave Moore, the district’s director, said after the vote that the measures should meet the goal of cutting water use by 20 percent if everyone complies.

A district study estimates the changes will mean the loss of about 350 jobs, mostly in the landscaping industry, and will cost the area about $19 million.

The prospect of such financial hits helped draw a standing-room only crowd to the board’s meeting in Brooksville. Speakers ranged from residents who live near well fields to owners of pressure cleaning and landscaping companies.

Among the rule changes:

• Residents not supplied by the city of Tampa may water lawns between midnight and 4 a.m. on their designated watering day if their lots are smaller than 1 acre. Those living on larger lots can also water from 8 p.m. to midnight.

• Hand-watering landscaping or using micro-irrigation, once allowed any day, is limited to three days a week.

• Homeowners are banned from doing their own pressure cleaning.

• Car washing at home or by charity car washes is prohibited. You can only use commercial car washes, most of which recycle their water.

• All decorative fountains must be turned off.

The changes also further tighten Tampa’s restrictions, cutting the hours when city residents can water by hand.

There are exemptions to the district’s new rules.

Belleair, Dade City, Dunedin, Plant City, San Antonio, Temple Terrace and Zephyrhills are not affected because those cities do not get their water from Tampa Bay Water.

Also, property owners with private wells or shallow irrigation wells remain on their current watering schedule.

The district, known as Swiftmud, considered imposing tighter regulations in February but decided to wait for a review of how the changes would affect businesses and to see whether the existing rules would save enough water.

The district study showed those regulations, which included a total ban on pressure washing, would have cost the region more than 2,200 jobs and more than $80 million.

The decision to allow commercial pressure cleaning was a huge relief to James Kotow, who said it means he probably will be able to keep his business open.
Tampa Bay Water, which provides water to Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey and some of Tampa, has only its well fields to rely on until summer rains begin.

The utility’s reservoir in southern Hillsborough is dry, and there is no flow in rivers to augment the well fields.

Down the line, Swiftmud board members may consider imposing more rules on local utilities.

One proposal discussed would be an order forcing utilities to enact surcharges during droughts on those using the most water.

Board member Hugh Grambling said water departments have not been robust enough in trying to cut use.

“I don’t think they’ve stepped up to the plate to avoid environmental damage,” he said.

Reporter Neil Johnson can be reached at (813) 259-7731.

Tampa Water Restrictions Questions And Answers

Questions, answers on new Tampa Bay water restrictions
Times Staff Writer
In Print: Wednesday, April 1, 2009

——————————————————————————–

Amid a three-year drought, the Southwest Florida Water Management District imposed its most severe water restrictions ever. They start Friday and run at least through June 30.

What are the new hours for Tampa lawn irrigation?

All Tampa lawn watering remains limited to the once-a-week schedule already in effect. Hours for sprinkling will be midnight to 4 a.m. for properties less than 1 acre. For properties larger than 1 acre, it’s midnight to 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight. City of Tampa water customers cannot use lawn sprinklers at all.

Hand-watering will be allowed from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. on watering days.

What about my landscaping?

Sprinklers can only be used on watering days. You can use a watering can, hose equipped with an automatic shutoff nozzle, or microirrigation system three days a week. Even-number addresses can water this way on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. For odd-number addresses, it’s Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

What about new sod and landscaping?

You have to follow the new restrictions on hours, but fresh sod still gets a 30-day establishment period. For the first 15 days, new turf may be watered any day of the week. For the next 15 days, you can water every other day.

New landscaping has a 60-day establishment period. For the first 15 days, the plants can be watered any day of the week. You can water every other day for the next 30 days and twice a week in the final 15 days.

Who is affected by the rules?

All Tampa Bay Water customers, which includes Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties and most of their cities. Cities not affected are Belleair, Dade City, Dunedin, Plant City, San Antonio, Temple Terrace and Zephyrhills.

If you have a private well or reclaimed water, please check with your local government. Links to their Web sites are at our special report, Tampa Bay Water Crisis. There’s a link on this page above.

Do I have to turn off my backyard fountain?

Yes. Only fountains that use reclaimed water or saltwater are permitted.

Can I wash my car or pressure wash my house?

You will have to go to a commercial car wash or hire a commercial pressure washer.

Will I have to set my thermostat at 78 degrees or above?

The thermostat rule applies only to buildings with water-based cooling systems — typically government buildings, common areas in malls, and lobbies of multitenant office buildings.

Are golf courses and farms affected?

No.

Do the rules affect me if I have a private well? Do I have to register my well?

Swiftmud says residents in Hillsborough, Pasco or Pinellas counties using other sources of water, either private well water or water from utilities not affected by the Phase IV measures, remain under the current Modified Phase III restrictions.

However, your local government could apply stricter rules for private well or reclaimed water. You can check for that and whether you have to register a well by following the links at our special Tampa Bay Water Crisis report, which is linked on this page above.

I was planning on pressure washing my house this weekend to prepare it for painting. Do I have to hire a company now?

Yes. Personal pressure washing is no longer allowed.

Do the new restrictions apply to vegetable gardens?

Here’s what Swiftmud says about landscape and non-lawn watering:

Watering schedule

Limited Days: Watering of landscapes using an in-ground irrigation system (rotor and spray sprinkler heads) or a hand-held hose equipped with a portable sprinkler remains limited to the same once-per-week schedule as lawn watering.

Watering of landscapes (non-lawn) using a sprinkling can, hand watering with a hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle, or micro-irrigation is now limited to three days per week. Micro-irrigation includes soaker hoses, drip tubes, microjets and other forms of low-volume irrigation technology. Even addresses may use any of these forms of efficient irrigation on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Odd addresses may do so on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Different Hours:

Midnight to 4 a.m. for properties less than one acre in size, using an in-ground irrigation system (rotor and spray sprinkler heads).

Midnight to 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight for properties more than one acre, using an in-ground rotor and spray irrigation system.

6–8 a.m. and 6–10 p.m. for properties any size, using a sprinkling can, hand-held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle, or micro-irrigation.

I have a private well for watering my lawn and I get my drinking water from Utilities Inc. Utilities Inc has their own wells in our mobile home park. What rules do I follow?

If you have a private well, but a separate utility company only for drinking water, you still must follow the Phase 3 restrictions.

I have a 6-foot pond with aerator spray in my front yard that holds fish, frogs and flora. Is this allowable?

Swiftmud has received a lot of questions about these type of ponds. If it uses water — city, county, reclaimed or well — it applies to the decorative fountain category. But it gets complicated if it’s keeping fish alive. Contact Swiftmud at 1-800-836-0797, ext. 2298 for more specific information.

Can you wash your car over your lawn during lawn watering hours?

Residential car washing is not permitted, period. You’re still using water to wash your car. Take comfort in the fact that everyone else will have dirty cars too.

Are there any restrictions regarding filling my son’s kiddie pool?

Kiddie pools are not specified in the Phase 4 watering restrictions, so they are fine. For now, at least.

I live in a gated community. We use county water for drinking, but community-owned wells for irrigation. We are having much debate here over whether the well water can be used for irrigation.

You can use the gated community or private well water for irrigation, but it must be within Phase 3 restriction guidelines, which would be one day a week on a designated day. That day depends on the last number of your address. You can get specifics for your community by going to our links at our special Water Crisis report.

Are there are specific restrictions on “water toys,” like Slip and Slide, or kid play sprinklers?

Swiftmud discourages the use of devices like Slip ‘n Slides, and some local restrictions totally prohibit them, so check with your local utility.

Are goverment properties exempt from these restrictions? I see the city of Temple Terrace watering medians several times a week.

Government properties also follow restrictions. Some medians use reclaimed; if in doubt, report the approximate location to water.restrictions@watermatters.org and it will be checked into.

[Last modified: Apr 04, 2009 11:25 AM]

APPLE ROOF CLEANING TAMPA
7401 Patrician Place
Tampa FL 33619
(813)293 1733
(813)655 8777