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Dglsell · Guest

Accessing steep Metal without a lift

TomD · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

Dglsell wrote:
I have a customer who would like a metal roof cleaned but he would rather I not use a lift to access it. It has gables with fir trees around so the debris are over the top of them. I originally thought hook ladders would be fine but I am concerned they may scratch the roof surface. Anyone have an idea for me?

-- Edited by Dglsell on Monday 3rd of March 2014 01:39:19 PM

Dglsell,

Scratch the hook ladder idea ... pun intended. What's your distance from gutterline to ridge? You may be able to do this with an Unger pole ( telescoping ).

Dglsell · Guest

DSC_0600[1].jpg

I do have a 24' extension pole but would still need to remove some light debris from the top of the gables first. Also I have tried using extension poles and the angled tips but the pressure sends the pole up in the air due to the fact that no one is behind that part of the pole.

TomD · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

Dglsell,

Pictures worth a 1,000 words. Actually I was referring to a soft brush attatchment for gently sweeping away debris. Looks like 1 or 2 gable end ladder settings ( with mitts ) and a tall stepladder near porch area for access. Also, make sure to keep those sensitve looking cedar shakes wet and avoid spraying into walls if possible ... might be another good use of your pole and brush in these areas. Others may have better ideas ... I'd like to hear too.

Dglsell · Guest

Ok the ladder at the end of each gable (there are 2 in front and 2 in back), and go out to the valley from there makes sense. After researching I have noticed one thing to consider when using a pressure washer to clean these types of roofs, that its possible for water to be shot into the J channel and vents of these metal panels. I have cleaned metal roofs with a pressure washer before and not had a leak. I have had success with metal, and tile roofs using a pressure washer understanding that the debris land in the yard and can cause further growth in other areas. I will also say that here in Wa State most areas of moss growth are on both the roof and the property below it before we start. We receive so much rain here that its very common to see the moss in people's yard all the time. So we are spreading moss onto moss. The other thing we clean off roofs is pollen from fir trees. I don't see the algae thing like you do in Florida much at all. I would like to try chemicals other then what I use on the asphalt shingle roofs but am reluctant to learn about roof cleaning in Florida when I am here in the Pacific Northwest. Although it would be great to just sweep the debris and then spray it down with "Apple Sauce" whatever that is....

opie451 · Mar 31, 2014

I would make sure those cedar shakes are well sealed or your gonna make clean spots. I hate metal roofs, so dangerous.

RCIA Founder

opie451 wrote:
I would make sure those cedar shakes are well sealed or your gonna make clean spots. I hate metal roofs, so dangerous.

Yes, metal roofs are super deadly, your feet can slip right out from under you with no warning at all. Even on a low pitch metal roof, you can slip and fall to your death, or paralyssis.

I have cleaned them with chicken ladders before, the ones with rubber coated hooks on them, so you don't scratch the roof, but it is always best to use a lift on them, if you can.

DAS · May 22, 2014

I have been asked to quote one which concerns me a little bit with the mixture. I'm thinking of starting with a house wash 20% SH Any feedback would be appreciated thanks. The carport roofs that I've done so far the roof 40 60 has been too strong and actually took the paint off the aluminum roofing.

DAS · May 22, 2014

Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

I just did a roof cleaning on a small metal roof in Jacksonville, Florida last weekend. I did it from a ladder. I wasn't about to climb up and clean this thing! It came out amazing after a good cleaning and a heavy rinse.

And, here is a shingle roof cleaning http://roofcleaninginstitute.org/index.php?/blog/152/entry-400-asphalt-shingle-roof-cleaning-jacksonville-florida-904-304-0810/

that we did awhile back. It is also in the Jacksonville area, near where we live. I much prefer to clean shingle roofs, instead of metal ones.

Guest

Roof Cleaning Jacksonville FL 904-304-0810 wrote:
I just did a roof cleaning on a small metal roof in Jacksonville, Florida last weekend. I did it from a ladder. I wasn't about to climb up and clean this thing! It came out amazing after a good cleaning and a heavy rinse.

Nice work. It looks great!

RCIA Founder

Dglsell wrote:
I have a customer who would like a metal roof cleaned but he would rather I not use a lift to access it. It has gables with fir trees around so the debris are over the top of them. I originally thought hook ladders would be fine but I am concerned they may scratch the roof surface. Anyone have an idea for me?

-- Edited by Dglsell on Monday 3rd of March 2014 01:39:19 PM

They make hook ladders with plastic pads on them, to keep from scratching the roofs, or you should be able to jury rig a "scratchless ladder" biggrin

RCIA Founder

Roof Cleaning Jacksonville FL 904-304-0810 wrote:
I just did a roof cleaning on a small metal roof in Jacksonville, Florida last weekend. I did it from a ladder. I wasn't about to climb up and clean this thing! It came out amazing after a good cleaning and a heavy rinse.

That metal roof cleaning up in Jacksonville came out great Adam. Metal Roofs require great care and common sense to clean safely. Your feet can slip right out from under you on even a 4/12 pitch metal roof w/o any warning! We never ever use any soaps on them, it makes them even more dangerous.

John Burdine · Mar 21, 2015

We cleaned a 6/12 metal roof with soap and all last year...used korkers 3 in 1 with the foam soles (of course ropes and full harness). I was very timid at first, but I couldn't believe how good our grip was with those things! I never felt comfortable...but not one slip on the whole project. They are a must have for metal roof walking, when there is no other way.

Troy Layman · Guest

Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa FL (813) 655-8777 wrote:
Dglsell wrote:
I have a customer who would like a metal roof cleaned but he would rather I not use a lift to access it. It has gables with fir trees around so the debris are over the top of them. I originally thought hook ladders would be fine but I am concerned they may scratch the roof surface. Anyone have an idea for me?

-- Edited by Dglsell on Monday 3rd of March 2014 01:39:19 PM
They make hook ladders with plastic pads on them, to keep from scratching the roofs, or you should be able to jury rig a "scratchless ladder"

Could you get those foam noodles from Wal-Mart that kids play with in pools and just slice them and tie wrap them against the surfaces that would be touching the roof? They are pretty cheap and if you're careful around the screws holding down the roof they should last a bit.

tigerwash · Guest

You can use anchor tiedowns to ascend the roof, but I frankly wouldn't recommend it...metal roofs are slippery as hell! Just rent a lift to be safe and be done with it. Best of luck to you!

Glaze4 · Guest

What is the correct mix for a metal roof and what are things to look for when when pricing I do not want to turn any job down but I also want to be honest with myself mostly so I can be honest when talking to the customer in regards to the expected out come. I also have concerns with oxidation what is the correct opproach I know it's all been asked and ansqered but I get lost in answered questions I also did not know so thank y'all for those many answers and also in advance for taking the time on these concerns about cleaning metal roofs

Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

Wow. I can't believe this topic about metal roof cleaning is almost two years old. Time really does fly it seems. We've done quite a few since this post, both large and small. We even cleaned a 20,000 square foot metal church roof. That was done strictly from a boom lift though.

The toughest part for metal roof cleaning is safety and runoff. Cleaning mix just doesn't stick to metal, so you have a lot of runoff to deal with.

PressurePH · Guest

That's a pretty interesting roof

RCIA Founder

Roof Cleaning Jacksonville FL 904-304-0810 wrote:
Wow. I can't believe this topic about metal roof cleaning is almost two years old. Time really does fly it seems. We've done quite a few since this post, both large and small. We even cleaned a 20,000 square foot metal church roof. That was done strictly from a boom lift though.

The toughest part for metal roof cleaning is safety and runoff. Cleaning mix just doesn't stick to metal, so you have a lot of runoff to deal with.

IMHO, safety of the roof cleaner is number one, when cleaning any metal roof. Your feet can go out from under you with no warning, especially if you are stupid enough to use any kind of soap, in your mix.

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