Residue left on metal roof? - Certified SoftWash Roof Cleaning

Gary P Gelatt · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Residue left on metal roof?

Zach Maynard · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

RE: Residue left on roof?

Gary P Gelatt · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

After the fact...what do I need to do?

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Try some bleach was and a brush.
Did you do this job by yourself? if not then you need to let your ground man know that he needs to rinse everything from the gutters down.

Zach Maynard · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Yeah your gonna have to agitate it most likely. Get a hose end sprayer and try some bleach wash like Mike said. Some residue is ok on asphalt because it will wash off, but you need to watch things like metal and windows especially.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Gary,

Why didnt you treat the entire roof? Was this a spot treat?

AC

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Also on the metal roof you are in trouble! Did you use SH or CH? You will need to treat the entire metal roof with F9 and brush lightly and rinse then wax the roof. You should DRENCH these metal roofs while treating the upper shingle roof and RINSE COMPLETELY the shingle roof above, including rinsing out gutters, before leaving.

AC

-- Edited by AC Lockyer on Wednesday 18th of December 2013 06:19:02 PM

Gary P Gelatt · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Upper area was an initial batch, sprayed the balance of the roof with the second batch.

Used SH. On the F9...do you dilute it or use full strength? I was planning on going back tomorrow to work on the metal roof.

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

Just what exactly is the reaction between metal and SH? I read posts like this in the past about being careful around metal but never a reason. Tried doing a search but. Couldn't find an answer either. Thanks.

Tim Teed · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

mix weak in small batch to see what works. maybe 1:3 or 1:4. go stronger if necessary

Brandon Vaughn · SoftWash Systems Pro Staff

When we work on metal roofs, I use these -

http://www.korkers.com/footwear/work/tufftrax-3-in-1.html

They stick like flypaper on a wet metal roof. It probably goes without saying, but do not step one foot on the roof to brush it if you do not have footwear like this or 2 foam pads to walk on and move ahead of you.

John Aloisio · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

Only walk on the metal if you really have too. Most residential standing seam metal is not much more than 28 or 26 gage. That is pretty thin and can have anything from a baked enamel finish (cheap) to a Kynar coating (high end) on it. Depending on the gage and substrate, you can get oil canning or creasing if you walk in the wrong spot. If you do need to walk it, use the korkers that Brandon posted or just use an old tin knockers trick, and put a little gasoline on a rag and rub the bottoms of your regular sneakers. They will stick like Spider-Man.

The metal roof needs to washed and neutralized thoroughly, as everyone here is telling you. The main reason is two fold.... First, corrosion, any sodium based cleaner will leave behind salt residue, that can eat away at exposed metal, it can also destroy some of the cheaper coatings (bake enamel, polyester blend hydro fluorocarbon, etc...) On a residential application like this, the metal is most likely 26 or 28 gage steel or Galvalume (zinc & aluminum coated steel). Both are very susceptible to corrosion if left exposed to sodium for an extended period. Just like salt from a road, in snowy environments. Head on back and give it a thorough rinse. When you are done, rinse it again, especially rinse any upper roofs that will drain onto the metal roof. Give it a coat of bleach wash and rinse again.

Hope this helps!

Gary P Gelatt · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

RE: Residue left on metal roof?

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Gary P Gelatt wrote:
Whew! Thanks for all your help on this. Tried the F9 at a 3:4 ratio, tooooo strong, took off the paint in the test area. AC had recommended a 10:1 with the F9. Ultimately rinsed down the roof with plain water, took a soft brush to it with a 1% solution, and then rinsed with Bleach Wash. That pretty well took care of everything I was concerned with. I will attach some before/after pics of the subdivision Club House.

Thanks again...Merry Christmas, Happy New Year to everyone!

Good to hear. Post the pix when you can.

AC

Matt Jennemann · Junior Member

ifi you use ch pre- wet the roof to contain over spray and I use bleachwash to help with whitewash on the roof due to residue left from it if it dry's . you will have to scrub it if you let it dry due to the residue and the roof colr makes big difference! Be safe and god bless happy new year!