rubber roof cleaner

ScottG wrote:

harold1946 wrote:

ScottG wrote:
Once the white protective layer starts to fade away, the black membrane is subjected to UV rays and it quickly deteriorates. So aggressive cleaning WILL effect the longevity of the roof.

EPDM roofing is also available in black without the white top-coat.
Dicor warrants the material for 20 years even if the white top-coat is no longer there.

We're talking about the material used on RV's here which is warranted for 10~12 years and that is under normal use. We're not talking about other Dicor roofing products which are very different from the material we get.
With the material they use on our RV's, if they find you removed the protective coating with strong cleansers then they're not going to warrant it. And so what if they did? The cost of the material is all that would be covered (pro-rated) and that's a fraction of the true replacement cost.
Bottom line is the product used on our RV's has a coating and once it's gone, the black material underneath will not hold up to UV exposure and will quickly fail. Whether a warranty is going to put a few bucks towards replacing a few yards of material is of no consequence at that point.

How long have you been in the roofing business?

What are you using to adhere pea gravel to EPDM?

When I purchased my previous motor home, I received some literature from the rubber roof manufacturer. They recommended using Murphy's Oil Soap to clean the roof. I used it for the several years I owned that motor home. It seemed to work extremely well and was very mild, not harsh like some of the other cleaning products mentioned. If you use it, just be aware that when you rinse it off, a light residue will run down the sides of the vehicle. However, this residue will wash off easily when you wash the sides of the vehicle. Good luck!

harold1946 wrote:

ScottG wrote:
Once the white protective layer starts to fade away, the black membrane is subjected to UV rays and it quickly deteriorates. So aggressive cleaning WILL effect the longevity of the roof.

EPDM roofing is also available in black without the white top-coat.
Dicor warrants the material for 20 years even if the white top-coat is no longer there.

We're talking about the material used on RV's here which is warranted for 10~12 years and that is under normal use. We're not talking about other Dicor roofing products which are very different from the material we get.
With the material they use on our RV's, if they find you removed the protective coating with strong cleansers then they're not going to warrant it. And so what if they did? The cost of the material is all that would be covered (pro-rated) and that's a fraction of the true replacement cost.
Bottom line is the product used on our RV's has a coating and once it's gone, the black material underneath will not hold up to UV exposure and will quickly fail. Whether a warranty is going to put a few bucks towards replacing a few yards of material is of no consequence at that point.

ScottG wrote:
Once the white protective layer starts to fade away, the black membrane is subjected to UV rays and it quickly deteriorates. So aggressive cleaning WILL effect the longevity of the roof.

EPDM roofing is also available in black without the white top-coat.
Dicor warrants the material for 20 years even if the white top-coat is no longer there.

Once the white protective layer starts to fade away, the black membrane is subjected to UV rays and it quickly deteriorates. So aggressive cleaning WILL effect the longevity of the roof.

mtofell1 wrote:
I work in construction and was talking to a roofer about cleaning rubber (EPDM) roofs. He laughed at me and said no manufacturer he knew of talked about it or recommended it. I haven't researched it any further so he may be crazy but his general opinion on all the talk in the RV world is that it's snake oil. I clean mine just to keep it looking nice but always wonder if it really matters as far as longevity.

The roofer is correct. There is no need to clean EPDM or TPO, other than if one wants to. They are designed for low pitch or flat roof and were adopted for use in the RV industry.
Agressive cleaning of EPDM will hasten the removal of the white top layer. Not so with TPO.
You are correct in that it does not affect the longevity of the material.

I work in construction and was talking to a roofer about cleaning rubber (EPDM) roofs. He laughed at me and said no manufacturer he knew of talked about it or recommended it. I haven't researched it any further so he may be crazy but his general opinion on all the talk in the RV world is that it's snake oil. I clean mine just to keep it looking nice but always wonder if it really matters as far as longevity.

Back when I got my RV the recommended cleaner for the Kitchen Floo..er, Roof (Same cleaner) was Spic & Span

I go up on the roof with a bucket, hose, long handled "Van Wash" Brush (or mop but I like the brush better) and a broom.. Sweep all the loose debris and return broom to ground, Fill bucket half full with water + Cleaner,, Brush well (Working a section at a time) and spray to rinse.. Move toward ladder refilling bucket with fresh water + Spic & Span as I go, and finally return everything to ground.

Today Dicor makes it's own cleaner,, but in 2005 they recommended Spic & SPan.

My buddy tells me a product called "Boat Wash" cleaned his up easily.
That being said, the best thing you can do for your roof is leave it alone. The more you wash off the protective white coating, the shorter its life.

I also used TSP on my old coach that had a rubber roof.