There are different ways to clean different types of roofing material, but metal roofing is a specific kind of metal that has to be cleaned very carefully. It relies on special techniques and tools because metal can bend, break, or become damaged if taken care of incorrectly.
When it comes to cleaning your metal roofs, safety comes first and foremost. In order to safely clean your metal roof, you’ll need to take a few important steps, including the following:
- Use an appropriate ladder that is certified by the CSA Group. When cleaning your metal roof, you should make sure that your ladder meets the safety standards set out by the CSA Group. You should also check that your ladder is the correct length and strength before commencing work, and ensure that it is securely placed before climbing up it.
- We recommended that you wear shoes with good traction and no rocks or other debris stuck in the bottoms, as these can scratch and damage your metal roof. If moving heavy objects on top of your roof, make sure you wear CSA approved safety footwear like steel-toed shoes.
- You do not want any part of your body touching the surface of the metal while cleaning with chemicals. For this reason, wearing gloves while working on your metal roof is essential to avoid chemical burns, as well as cuts, scrapes and other hand injuries.
- Never work on your roof by yourself. There should always be at least one other person present to provide assistance in the event of an accident.
Once you’ve taken care to follow all relevant safety precautions you can then begin to clean your metal roof. The first step you should take is to remove any loose debris like sticks, twigs or leaves from your roof so they do not interfere with the rest of the cleaning process.
Most of the dirt and dust on a metal roof can usually be removed with water. A garden hose is one of the common options and can help you reach areas of your metal roof without having to climb on top of it. Many homeowners ask us whether or not they should power wash their metal roofs. The answer is yes you can, however we do not recommend it as power washers can dent a metal roof if used to spray the roof too closely. Power washers are also bulky and heavy, so unless you have the proper extensions needed, it may be difficult to get them up high enough to reach the entire roof safely.
If you find that water alone isn’t enough to clean the tougher stains on your metal roof, you may need to use a light cleaning solution. At Shoreline Roofing we recommend mixing a quarter cup (60 ml) of detergent such as dish or car soap with a gallon (3.78L) of water. Once mixed, you’ll just need to apply to solution to your metal roof with a sponge, microfiber cloth, or soft-bristle brush, and let it sit on the surface for 5-10 minutes. Afterwards, take care to thoroughly rinse off the solution with plain water. This is one of the easiest and cost-effective methods of cleaning a metal roof.
If you have difficult stains on your metal roof, such as rust or algae, they may require a deeper clean than the detergent-and-water solution can provide. We highly recommend reaching out to our team before using any other cleaning solutions as they could damage your metal panels permanently. The experts at Shoreline Roofing can help you with all of your roofing needs, including maintenance, installations, repairs, de-mossing and much more. Contact us today at (250) 413-7967 or at ed@shorelineroofing.ca to find out more about how our services and how we can help you.