Cleaning my roof
I have a rubber roof on my 2014 Starcraft Autumn Ridge 235FB which needs cleaning at least once per season. Is it safe to use a power washer on the rubber roof? Of course, I am asking after I did it...
Forum Discussion
It depends. Most folks do not have a lot of experience with pressure washers, the correct nozzles, or use the machines correctly on the surface involved.
I used to do a fair amount of house painting and saw a lot of damage caused by incorrect use, primarily on wood decks but also on painted surfaces. I never use the pressure to remove dirt on soft surfaces. The machine can be used to rinse after detergents are applied. I use a very wide spray nozzle and position the wand back from the surface that is being cleaned. When used on rubber roofs, a garden hose and the correct detergent is a better combination but a pressure wsher can be used as the water use is less. Just be careful and use the right techniques. Also, I don't apply detergents through the pump. I use a garden sprayer tank. I have a detergent nozzle that will foam soaps on the surface but running detergants through the machine shortens pump life. It is easier to carry a garden sprayer than dragging hose, too.
I was inspecting my roof just a few days ago. It is a mess, hasn't been cleaned in a few years and is parked next to a line of Spruce trees. This will be my procedure: Rinse off debris and wet surface, apply a mixture of detergents---for this I use dish or laundry soap combined with Jasco Prepaint Conditioner. The Jasco is a TSP substitute that removes oxidation. It is sold at big box stores, paint suppliers, and hardware stores. I then use a soft brush head on an expanding metal pole to reach all areas on the roof. I may then apply more soap solution, depending on state of surface, rinse, and let dry. Inspect any throuh hole areas for lifting Eternabond tape (I left the caulking team a few years back because the tapes are far superior). Crack a cold one.
Good luck with your cleaning and remember to let the soap do the work. It is a lot easier.
I used to do a fair amount of house painting and saw a lot of damage caused by incorrect use, primarily on wood decks but also on painted surfaces. I never use the pressure to remove dirt on soft surfaces. The machine can be used to rinse after detergents are applied. I use a very wide spray nozzle and position the wand back from the surface that is being cleaned. When used on rubber roofs, a garden hose and the correct detergent is a better combination but a pressure wsher can be used as the water use is less. Just be careful and use the right techniques. Also, I don't apply detergents through the pump. I use a garden sprayer tank. I have a detergent nozzle that will foam soaps on the surface but running detergants through the machine shortens pump life. It is easier to carry a garden sprayer than dragging hose, too.
I was inspecting my roof just a few days ago. It is a mess, hasn't been cleaned in a few years and is parked next to a line of Spruce trees. This will be my procedure: Rinse off debris and wet surface, apply a mixture of detergents---for this I use dish or laundry soap combined with Jasco Prepaint Conditioner. The Jasco is a TSP substitute that removes oxidation. It is sold at big box stores, paint suppliers, and hardware stores. I then use a soft brush head on an expanding metal pole to reach all areas on the roof. I may then apply more soap solution, depending on state of surface, rinse, and let dry. Inspect any throuh hole areas for lifting Eternabond tape (I left the caulking team a few years back because the tapes are far superior). Crack a cold one.
Good luck with your cleaning and remember to let the soap do the work. It is a lot easier.
