Rooftop & Parapet Cleaning
Park Shore Tower

Onshore Gulf wind can dry salt onto the west side of the roof and parapets as a hazy crust. The east side, over Venetian Bay, may stay damp longer in the morning, which suits mildew and algae more than salt.

Both end up on the facade. When rain runs over a dirty parapet, it streaks the top floors, and on a building with long runs of glass and wraparound railings, that is the first thing owners notice.

Flat roofs can hold water around drains and equipment pads after summer storms. We clear debris from drains as we go and note anything that looks like it needs a roofer.

If the association has recently refinished common areas near the rooftop access points, we protect those surfaces and test our solution on a small spot first.

A 1985 Trafalgar tower. Trafalgar Developers of Florida delivered Park Shore Tower at 4251 Gulf Shore Boulevard North in 1985. It rises 20 stories with 75 residences, four to a floor, so a single roof covers dozens of owners and every roofing decision rests with the board.

Four stacks, four exposures. According to a Naples condo guide, the A and B stacks face Venetian Bay with partial Gulf views, C looks southwest over the Gulf and D northwest. That split is why we look at the roof and parapets side by side: the Gulf and bay faces of the building can age differently.

Open lanai landings. A recent listing for unit 6C notes an open lanai landing that appears on only four floors of the building. Those floors sit closer to any rinse water that comes off the facade, so we let management know the schedule in advance for those owners.

Confirming the roof system. We have not verified the membrane on Park Shore Tower’s roof, and a 1985 building may have been reroofed since. Before quoting, we ask the manager or the building’s roofer what is on the roof now and whether a warranty or care sheet came with it.

What darkens a roof by the water. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association names Gloeocapsa magma as probably the most common algae behind roof discoloration and says it is most widespread in the Gulf States, where warm, humid weather favors it. Owens Corning adds that it is carried on the air. Here we expect to find it first around roof drains, in ponding areas and behind rooftop units that block the afternoon sun.

GAF TPO guidance, if it applies. For its EverGuard TPO, GAF’s technical bulletin calls for a mild non-abrasive detergent, a washer set at 2,000 psi or lower and a soft brush or broom. It warns against spraying low curbs, base flashings and other openings where water could enter. Our pressure stays far below that, and flashings are cleaned by hand.

Sika guidance, if it applies. Sika’s April 2023 bulletin for Sarnafil and Sikaplan says a lower psi is preferable because excess pressure can cut the membrane. It wants a wide spray fan 16 to 24 inches above the sheet, spray directed over seam laps rather than against them, and no wire brushes.

When no guide exists. If the roof turns out to be a coating or a product we have no published guidance for, we ask the maker or the association’s roofer for instructions, test a small area and use the mildest method that does the job.

Slippery when wet. GAF reminds contractors that wet single-ply is slippery, that fall protection is required and that crews shouldn’t walk on solution that hasn’t been rinsed. On a 20-story roof we stage from the access door, work away from the parapet and rinse each section before moving on.

The pool deck below. A recent listing describes an oversized pool, two spas, a fire pit, a barbecue kitchen and a poolside social room. Rinse water goes to the roof drains, not over the edge, and we ask management whether the deck should close while we work overhead.

Frequency set by the roof. GAF says the need for cleaning depends on soiling, rainfall, dirt build-up and drainage, and Sika recommends yearly cleaning to keep its membranes reflective. After the first visit we give the board photos and a suggested interval rather than a stock schedule.

Parking and access. The building has indoor parking, bike storage and a car wash station, and sits across from the Venetian Bay Club. We ask management where our truck can stand without blocking the drive, and carry equipment up through the route they choose. Our flat roof cleaning page covers the general method.

Lease calendar and security. The building allows one lease a year with a 90-day minimum and has a 24-hour attendant. We schedule around move-in weeks when the manager asks and send crew names and vehicles to security beforehand.