Spring Cleaning

It's time for the Great Northwest Winds to kick up and clear your trees of loose branches, needles, sticky cherry and plum blossoms and pollen. Those of course will all land right on your metal roof. Spring is a great time to get on the roof and check for any winter damage. Check carefully around the chimneys, skylights and any plumbing penetrations to make sure debris is not wedged or built up around the flashings. This debris will just collect more debris and so on until there's enough to dam up the water and cause leaking. Roof penetrations are always a suspect spot if you have a leak and keeping them clear is the best way to maintain the flashing integrity. If your roof needs "washing" - check out Cleaning a Metal Roof for manufacturer's recommendations. I can't promise spring cleaning your roof is as fun as spring cleaning the closets...but it might be more important!

Cleaning A Metal Roof

This is probably the most frequent phone call we get..."How do I clean my metal roof?" It's a great question, and one of the most important steps you can take to ensure the longevity of your investment. Roofs must be regularly washed, either by fresh rainwater or by cleaning with a light cleaning solution. The roof must not be cleaned with abrasive or chemical cleansers. One third (1/3) cup of a common laundry detergent (such as Tide) containing less than 0.5% phosphate dissolved in (1) gallon of water will work. You can use a soft bristled brush, like a long handled RV brush, to get the "sticky" stuff loosened. Light pressure washing may be enough to do the trick - but keep in mind the word LIGHT! Keep valleys and areas around screw heads clear of pine needles and debris build-up. While you're up there, cut back any vegetation from overgrown trees and bushes so nothing is resting on the metal roofing. Remember to use proper safety gear when on your roof, keeping in mind wet metal can be very slippery. Proper maintenance is a requirement to keep most warranties in effect. If you have a metal roof with a granular surface, check with the manufacturer for specific cleaning instructions.