With the rise of new technologies and sciences, it's not surprising that many people are hesitant about embracing drones for their business needs.

After all, we've been there before when computerization was first introduced to the business space. But what if you're one of those who are still on fence? Maybe you're reluctant. I mean, drones are new and maybe a bit daunting...

The Lucid Bots cleaning drone can take your business to the next level, and after you read this blog post, any doubts will be cleared up before tomorrow morning rolls around again.

But don't just take our word for it. Take it from one of our valued customers, Ryan Godwin, owner of Godwin Cleaning Services, an exterior cleaning business servicing commercial and residential properties.

Ryan Godwin had a similar hesitation when it came to using drones to help his business. "I mean, you know not and I was really skeptical. In the beginning, of course, because I didn't know much about it. And it took me a while to decide to pull the trigger." Godwin Cleaning Services finally did pull the trigger, and now, it’s paying off in a big way.

After using the drone, Godwin knew that a Lucid Bots cleaning drone would become a game changer for his business. “I knew I had to incorporate it into my business." He added, "I bought this and you know, I've had it for what a month now. And I've already executed like four jobs with it for big names.” 

Lucid Bots cleaning drone has been a game changer for many industry professionals, and for most, it’s considered their secret weapon. “I'm glad it's my secret weapon.” said Godwin, “it's the game changer that I needed to, really, really push it.”

Truthfully, we succeed when our customers succeed. That’s why we go through extensive testing and development to ensure that our drones are effective and profitable for our customers. “But I'm just gonna tell you now. And not just because y'all are the manufacturers of it. I mean, it's probably the best purchase I've made for my business.”

Additionally, our cleaning drones have cut down the time it takes to complete cleaning jobs the traditional way by increasing efficiency by 80%. “If I was using the traditional lift I mean, this is a two three day project.” Said Godwin. “I've actually been counting my cleaning time. Total cleaning time. It's been about four hours today.”

Lucid Bots was founded on one key principle: safety. Slips, trips and falls are the number one cause of injury on a job site. Cleaning drones are making it possible to reduce liability and increase worker safety by 95%. “I'm not hanging off a lift, you're still spraying. I'm just not hanging off a lift brand. You know, the only difference is I'm safer on the ground.” Said Godwin.

It also helps that cleaning drones are really cool. “I'm telling you, I've had an audience all day.” said Godwin.

Drones are changing the world, but Lucid Bots is leading by example. We have created a smarter way for professionals in cleaning industries to do their jobs - safer and faster than ever before.

"It's a game-changer!"

Curious about how you can take your business to the next level? Just contact us by filling out our contact form or by calling us at (980) 498-1894  . 

Clinton College is a HBCU located in Rock Hill, SC with over 125 years of educational excellence.

Summary

The Director of Maintenance at Clinton College was searching for a solution to get all the buildings on campus cleaned and ready to welcome back students. He had explored other options but quickly realized that several obstacles were impeding progress. He needed help to get it cleaned safely, efficiently, and within his budget constraints.

Challenges

Limestone columns had years of buildup and extended over the building. The college wanted a solution that would clean multiple buildings/surfaces.

Large lift equipment was not an option with the terrain around some buildings.

Solution

Lucid Bots deployed its cleaning drone to rapidly and effectively clean all 11 buildings on campus safely.

Lucid's cleaning drones leveraged a soft wash cleaning process to effectively remove all organic stains at the roots ensuring a longer duration between cleanings.

Results

• Completed the job in a third of the time with less man power than other companies proposed which lead to no disruption for the college.
• Saved the college 30% while being more profitable than the competition due to limited labor costs and rental fees.
• The drone was setup and packed up within 5 minutes of start and stop times leading to less disturbance and cleanup.
• No landscaping or roofing materials were damaged and no one was put in an unsafe situation.

Get a free quote for your campus cleaning project

Do you have your Part 107 certificate? If you're a drone pilot, the answer had better be yes. But what if you're not a drone pilot? Well, the BVLOS ARC has something to say about that. Their latest report recommends that all new Part 107 certificates include provisions for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operation. If you want to get your Part 107, you need to be prepared to fly your drone beyond your line of sight. Here's what you need to know.

 The BVLOS ARC is a committee of aviation experts formed in 2016 to study the usefulness of drone operations beyond visual line of sight. Their latest report recommends that the FAA include BVLOS provisions in all new Part 107 certificates. This would require all current and future drone pilots to be trained and certified to fly their drones beyond their line of sight.

The BVLOS ARC is recommending this change because they believe it will make drone operations safer and more efficient. Currently, drone pilots are only allowed to fly their drones within their line of sight. Meaning that you need to keep your drone in view at all times, which can be difficult, especially if the drone is flying at a distance.

If pilots were able to fly their drones beyond their line of sight, they would be able to use visual aids, such as First Person View (FPV) goggles, to keep track of the drone. This would make it much easier for pilots to see and avoid obstacles, and it would also allow them to fly the drone for longer periods of time.

The BVLOS ARC's recommendation is just that, a recommendation. It's up to the FAA to decide whether or not to include BVLOS provisions in the Part 107 certificate.

So what would this mean if the FAA made these recommended changes?

This new level of Part 107 certification would require pilots looking to fly beyond line of sight operations to attend online training and then take an online exam to earn a new certificate. This certificate would be an advanced form of Part 107 operations. With this new certificate, the need to have a CFI (Certified Flight Instructor) for beyond line of sight operations would disappear. Which is good news because it's not economically viable to obtain a manned certificate, let alone a CFI certificate.

It's important to remember that these are recommendations and are currently not being enforced by the FAA. If you have any questions about getting your Part 107 or if you would like more information on what a Part 107 license is, you can click here for more info or call and speak to a Lucid Bots rep today.

Sunbelt Rentals has entered into a strategic partnership with Lucid Bots. 

The agreement calls for Sunbelt to make Lucid Bots cleaning drones available to the company’s rental customers nationwide. The two organizations will collaborate on an approved solution program for their clients, and the drones will be backed by Sunbelt’s support and service to maintain the equipment for optimal use.

“Partnerships like the one with Lucid Bots are what has enabled us to bring innovative solutions to our customers,” said Adam Camhi, Sunbelt vice president of flooring solutions. “With the Lucid Bots cleaning drone, our customers will have safer operations, reduce their environmental impact, and increase overall operator efficiency, while still completing tough exterior cleaning jobs.”

About Sunbelt

Fort Mill, South Carolina-based Sunbelt Rentals supplies a wide variety of rentals for the facility services market. For more information, visit www.sunbeltrentals.com.

What This Partnership Means for Operators

The Sunbelt Rentals partnership gives cleaning contractors and facility managers a low-risk way to test drone cleaning before purchasing equipment outright. Instead of committing to a full system, operators can rent a Sherpa Drone through any Sunbelt location and deploy it on real jobs, proving ROI before signing a purchase order.

For building service contractors handling exterior work on commercial properties, hotels, universities, and warehouses, the rental model solves one of the biggest adoption barriers: upfront capital. A single weekend rental can demonstrate the labor savings and speed improvements that justify long-term investment.

Key Benefits of the Rental Program

Whether you are an established exterior cleaning business or a contractor exploring drone services for the first time, the Sunbelt Rentals program removes the friction between interest and action. Talk to the Lucid Bots team to learn more about rental availability in your area.

Soft washing is the industry-standard method for cleaning roofs — and for good reason. High-pressure washing blasts shingles, voids warranties, and sends contractors sliding down wet pitches. Soft washing uses a low-pressure chemical solution to kill algae, mold, lichen, and the bacteria that cause black staining (Gloeocapsa magma) at the source, not just at the surface.

What Is Soft Washing?

Soft washing uses a diluted sodium hypochlorite (SH) solution — typically at 3–6% concentration on roofs — applied at low pressure (under 100 PSI) to dwell on organic growth and dissolve it chemically. You rinse, not scrub. The surface stays intact. The biology dies. Pressure washing a roof damages asphalt shingles by stripping the granule coating and does nothing to address root systems of moss or lichen. Most shingle manufacturers explicitly state that high-pressure cleaning voids the warranty.

Chemicals: What You Need and Why

Sodium Hypochlorite (SH)

Pool-grade SH is the active ingredient, concentrated at 10–12.5% from chemical suppliers. Dilute to a working concentration of 3–6% depending on severity:

• Light algae or maintenance clean: 3% working solution
• Moderate staining or moss: 4–5% working solution
• Heavy lichen or long-neglected roofs: 5–6% working solution

Dilution math (to hit 5% from 10% SH): Mix 1 part SH concentrate with 1 part water. Do not use bleach from a hardware store — it is only 3–6% SH and often contains thickeners that cause runoff issues.

Surfactant

Surfactant lowers surface tension so the mix clings to sloped surfaces instead of sheeting off. Common options: Elemonator (citrus-based, strong cling) or EBC (concentrated, handles multiple organic sources). Typical ratio: 2–4 oz per gallon of mixed solution.

Neutralizer and Plant Protection

Use a sodium thiosulfate neutralizer solution (1–2 oz per gallon in water) as a pre- and post-rinse on all plant material in the fallout zone. Pre-wet all plants before application. This is non-negotiable — dead landscaping is the fastest way to get a bad review.

Equipment

For small residential roofs (under 2,500 sq ft): 12V soft wash pump (5.5 GPM) with 50-gallon poly tank, 200–300 ft of 1/2-inch chemical-rated hose on a reel, soft wash gun with variable tips, chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene, wrist-length minimum), chemical splash goggles (not safety glasses), Tyvek suit or old clothes.

For commercial work: Gas-powered soft wash skid (8–12 GPM, 200–500 gallon tank) with dedicated proportioner.

Safety equipment: ANSI-rated fall protection harness, roof anchor or ridge hook, rubber-soled non-slip boots. Wet-weather policy: do not work on roofs during or immediately after rain.

Step-by-Step: How to Soft Wash a Roof

Step 1: Inspect from the Ground

Walk the perimeter. Identify roof pitch, substrate type (asphalt shingle, tile, metal), growth type, gutter condition, and any surfaces to mask or pre-wet. Do not quote off satellite imagery alone.

Step 2: Clear Gutters and Protect Plants

Clean gutters before you start — chemical-laden water in a clogged gutter overflows onto landscaping. Pre-wet all shrubs and grass within the runoff zone.

Step 3: Wet Surrounding Vegetation

Before applying SH, soak all plants around the structure. Saturated plants are more resistant to dilute SH in runoff.

Step 4: Mix Your Solution

Confirm SH concentration from your supplier (10% or 12.5%). Calculate dilution to hit your target concentration. Add surfactant last. Agitate gently — do not shake.

Step 5: Apply Bottom to Top

Apply starting at the lower edge and working toward the ridge. Keep pressure under 100 PSI. You are wetting, not blasting. Overlap passes by 6–8 inches.

Step 6: Allow Dwell Time

10–15 minutes for most residential roofs. Heavy lichen may require a second application or extended dwell up to 20 minutes. Do not let the solution dry on the surface.

Step 7: Rinse Top to Bottom

Rinse starting at the ridge and working down using low pressure (garden-hose flow is sufficient). Simultaneously rinse all plant material with neutralizer solution.

Step 8: Post-Job Inspection

From the ground, check for even rinsing, gutter condition, and plant health. Document with photos before you leave. Most organic growth lightens within 24–72 hours as residual SH continues to work — set client expectations accordingly.

Safety: The Non-Negotiables

Fall protection is not optional. OSHA requires it for roof work at or above 6 feet. Do not walk a wet roof. Period. Pitches above 6:12 require anchor points and rope systems or aerial equipment. Never reach past your balance point.

Chemical safety: SH at 10–12.5% causes skin burns and serious eye damage on contact. Wear splash goggles, not safety glasses. Store SH away from acids and ammonia. Have a water source available at all times for emergency eye flush.

Pricing

Job TypePrice RangeResidential roof (1,500–2,000 sq ft)$300–$600Large residential or low-slope commercial$600–$1,200Commercial flat roof or large warehouse$1,500–$5,000+

At $0.30–$0.50 per square foot, an experienced crew completes a residential soft wash in 2–3 hours. Upsell opportunities: moss pre-treatment, annual maintenance contracts, gutter cleaning bundled with the visit.

Drone Soft Washing: The Emerging Option for Steep and High Roofs

A growing number of commercial cleaning contractors are adding drone application for jobs where putting workers on the roof is genuinely dangerous — high-pitch roofs above 8:12, multi-story commercial buildings, steep metal roofs, and industrial structures with complex OSHA access requirements.

The Lucid Bots Sherpa drone carries and sprays soft wash solutions aerially with consistent coverage, without a worker on the surface. Available at $45,750 or through the Lucid Refresh program at $2,950/month. If you’re bidding commercial roofs where fall protection logistics are eating your margin, it’s worth a look.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between soft washing and pressure washing a roof?

Pressure washing physically removes surface contamination but strips shingle granules and leaves biological root systems intact — meaning regrowth within months. Soft washing kills organic growth at the source with low-pressure chemistry. Results last 2–5 years vs. 3–6 months for pressure-washed roofs.

What chemicals are used in soft washing a roof?

Sodium hypochlorite (pool-grade SH) diluted to 3–6% working concentration, plus a surfactant (Elemonator or EBC at 2–4 oz/gallon). Sodium thiosulfate neutralizer on surrounding plant material before and after.

How often should a roof be soft washed?

Every 2–4 years for most residential roofs. Humid climates with significant tree coverage see faster recolonization. Annual maintenance treatments can extend the interval.

Can a homeowner DIY soft wash a roof?

Technically yes, but the risk is not the chemistry — it’s the roof. A wet sloped surface is where most homeowner injuries in exterior cleaning happen. Professional service ($300–$600 for most residential jobs) is a straightforward value exchange relative to the fall risk.

How much does professional soft wash roof cleaning cost?

$0.30–$0.50 per square foot of roof surface. An average 2,000-square-foot house has roughly 2,400–2,800 square feet of roof surface. Expect $300–$600 for residential, $1,500–$5,000 for commercial.

Ready to Add Aerial Capability?

If you’re bidding commercial roof cleaning jobs where worker access is the limiting factor, get a demo to see what the Sherpa Drone can do.

Is the Lucid Bots cleaning drone easy to fly? The short answer is yes! 

In fact, no prior drone experience is needed. Many of our customers had no prior drone flying experience and they are now flying successfully to complete larger jobs!

If you know how to use a video game controller, then you should be able to fly a Lucid Bots Cleaning Drone successfully. The RC controller has knobs that control flight directions such as forward and backward motion, side to side motion (left or right), height (up or down), rotation (to make the drone turn a different direction), and throttle (speed).

The drone is also equipped with avoid distance quick-select switch, which allows you to choose between multiple distance options while keeping the drone a safe distance from the building, and urban flight capabilities, which allow you to fly safely in urban environments. The drone also has a forward facing radar which can detect objects in front of it and reduce the risk of crashing, as well as fail-safe battery systems. If your battery dies mid-flight, it will automatically land in a safe location!

Sounds easy enough, right? With proper training, you should be able to fly a drone in no time. Lucid Bots partnered with DroneU to provide an easy-to-use, ongoing training through an online training portal. This online training educates you on how to operate the soft washing drone and window washing drone competently and confidently, such as:

• Battery charging
• Flight skills
• Transportation guidelines
• Safety protocols
• And more

Additionally, the ability to receive your Part 107 License is included in our training!

We also offer in-person flight demos at our Charlotte, NC facility where you can see first hand just how easy it can be. Contact us today to schedule yours!