Cleaning a TPO Roof the Smart Way: Techniques, Tools, and High-Ticket Clients
TPO roofs are one of the most durable and energy-efficient roofing systems around, especially for flat roofs—but cleaning them requires a gentle, chemical-driven approach. In today’s blog, we're walking you through an actual job where we cleaned a TPO roof using the right tools, right methods, and landed the job using targeted Google Ads.
We’ll break down:
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✅ What makes TPO roofs unique
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✅ How to clean them safely and effectively
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✅ What tools make the process easier and faster
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✅ How Google Ads landed us this high-end client
Let’s dive into the roof, the tools, and the tactics that can bring more high-ticket jobs to your business.
What Is a TPO Roof?
TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) is a single-ply membrane roofing system that’s popular for flat or low-slope roofs. It’s usually white, making it highly reflective and energy-efficient. But unlike shingles or metal, TPO requires a softer touch to avoid damage.
“TPO is basically a rubber membrane. Pressure washing can destroy it. You have to know what you’re doing.”
Why High-End Clients Matter
This roof we cleaned? It wasn’t the first time. It’s a repeat customer, and they book the job every single year—no questions asked.
Why?
Because high-end clients value maintenance like they value an oil change. They put things on autopilot, and that means predictable, high-ticket income for you.
They also:
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Follow your professional recommendations
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Book on schedules
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Are less price-sensitive
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Want trusted pros, not the cheapest bid
Tools Used: Smart Stream & Skunk Valve
If you’re cleaning a TPO roof and want to do it right (and efficiently), these two tools are game-changers:
📱 Smart Stream Remote System:
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Allows remote control of soap flow from the roof
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No need to walk back to the trailer
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Immediate feedback via beeps
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Saves time and ensures proper chemical delivery
“I’ve got 300 feet of hose out. Without Smart Stream, I’d be running up and down checking if soap’s actually flowing.”
🦨 Skunk Valve:
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Lets you send a hotter mix to your roof line
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Helps clean light to moderately soiled roofs without needing to manually batch mix
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Increases mix strength up to 15–20% more
These tools allow you to clean smarter, not harder—especially on fragile surfaces like TPO.
How We Cleaned the TPO Roof
Here’s how we tackled this specific job:
✅ Step 1: Pre-Treatment
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Used the Skunk Valve + Smart Stream combo
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Delivered a 1.12% SH mix, ideal for organic removal
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Sprayed evenly, keeping walk paths safe
✅ Step 2: Dwell Time
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Let the mix sit, allowing SH to break down grime, algae, and pollutants
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No brushing or mopping—just letting chemistry do the work
✅ Step 3: Rinse (Lightly)
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Used low pressure rinse, never pressure washing directly
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Avoided seams and didn’t disturb the membrane
TPO Cleaning Cautions
Ben on our crew laid out some critical precautions:
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No Pressure Washing: TPO is fragile; high PSI can puncture it.
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Watch Your Feet: Dragging boots or equipment across seams can tear the membrane.
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No Shuffling: Always lift your feet to avoid damage.
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No Hard Boots: Steel toes or worn-out treads can damage the surface.
“If you damage this roof, it’s not just a callback—it’s a five-figure replacement.”
Why Google Ads Still Win in 2025
This job came straight from a Google Ad. And if you’re not running ads year-round, especially during slow seasons, you’re missing out.
Most contractors drop their budget in winter. But guess what?
Commercial clients are still searching.
“Most of our big jobs come through Google Ads in the winter. People think no one’s shopping—but high-ticket clients are.”
A Word of Warning About Google Ads
Google’s ad platform is powerful—but it’s also designed to drain your wallet if you don’t know how to use it.
The traps:
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Broad targeting = wasted clicks
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Keyword overlap = budget cannibalization
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Automated suggestions = higher costs
If you want to spend less and earn more, learn how to manage your ads properly.
Want to Master Google Ads for Pressure Washing?
We built a course called Local Domination: 0 to 100K that shows pressure washing business owners how to:
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Create targeted, effective Google Ads
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Stop wasting money on the wrong clicks
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Attract high-paying clients consistently
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Build a brand that dominates your local area
🚀 Click here to check out Local Domination
🔗 Link is in the description and comments of the video.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning TPO roofs the right way takes more than guesswork. It takes the right tools, the right chemical ratios, and most importantly, the right strategy to get those jobs in the first place.
With Smart Stream and Skunk Valve, your cleaning process becomes faster, safer, and more efficient.
With Google Ads, your calendar fills with the kinds of clients who respect your time—and your prices.
So get out there, stay smart, and stay booked.
