Cleaning my roof

[winger999]

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 last year. I used the lowest setting and it didn't seem to hurt anything. Just curious what others are doing and if I would be causing any unseen damage.

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[JaneSiver]

llr wrote:
I would never use a pressure washer on the roof again. I had an older class A that I don't think the previous owner ever cleaned the roof. I used a pressure washer and it appeared to do a good job but about a year later the white coating started deteriorating, I believe from the pressure washer.

Well,that unfortunately!

[llr]

I would never use a pressure washer on the roof again. I had an older class A that I don't think the previous owner ever cleaned the roof. I used a pressure washer and it appeared to do a good job but about a year later the white coating started deteriorating, I believe from the pressure washer.

[JaneSiver]

Derrils wrote:
Please get some advice on a set up for commercial and fleet pressure washer? I was thinking about buying one or two hot water machines with a high gpm and a 550 gallon water tank. A roof cleaning system and possibly a sirocco recovery system. Do you guys thing I'm going in the right direction? I am also trying to figure out what to do to the wood floors. What do you guys recommend on how to take care of the flooring? I was thinking about have the floors rhino lined. Thanks guys

Make sure you have plenty of ventilation and vent the exhaust pressure washer out of the truck. I always mock the truck up before I put anything in. You can do this by either drawing it to scale or simply laying it all out on your shop floor and moving it around to where you think the stuff should go.

[Derrils]

westend wrote:

Derrils wrote:
Please get some advice on a set up for commercial and fleet washing? I was thinking about buying one or two hot water machines with a high gpm and a 550 gallon water tank. A roof cleaning system and possibly a sirocco recovery system. Do you guys thing I'm going in the right direction? I am also trying to figure out what to do to the wood floors. What do you guys recommend on how to take care of the flooring? I was thinking about have the floors rhino lined. Thanks guys

Is this a fleet of RV's? If you get those big hot water machines, you're probably going to have a problem with RV's, especially if you delegate the work. Big pressure can lift sealants, decals, and cause other problems. I guess if I had a fleet of RV's to wash I might use the available water supply and a booster pump. Or, pump out of a wash tank.If you're going to recyle the wash water, we're talking about another whole complexity. Hot water won't help you any with RV's.

On RV's with an exposed subfloor, any kind of sealant product you can apply to keep water and debris off the wood is going to be a positive. I don't know that I'd use bed liner because of cost. A good quality paint would wrok almost as well, probably as long as the longevity of an RV. FWIW, my flooring is aluminum sheet clad. It still looks good after 45 years.

Thanks you for respond.I get it!

[westend]

Derrils wrote:
Please get some advice on a set up for commercial and fleet washing? I was thinking about buying one or two hot water machines with a high gpm and a 550 gallon water tank. A roof cleaning system and possibly a sirocco recovery system. Do you guys thing I'm going in the right direction? I am also trying to figure out what to do to the wood floors. What do you guys recommend on how to take care of the flooring? I was thinking about have the floors rhino lined. Thanks guys

Is this a fleet of RV's? If you get those big hot water machines, you're probably going to have a problem with RV's, especially if you delegate the work. Big pressure can lift sealants, decals, and cause other problems. I guess if I had a fleet of RV's to wash I might use the available water supply and a booster pump. Or, pump out of a wash tank.If you're going to recyle the wash water, we're talking about another whole complexity. Hot water won't help you any with RV's.

On RV's with an exposed subfloor, any kind of sealant product you can apply to keep water and debris off the wood is going to be a positive. I don't know that I'd use bed liner because of cost. A good quality paint would wrok almost as well, probably as long as the longevity of an RV. FWIW, my flooring is aluminum sheet clad. It still looks good after 45 years.

[2012Coleman]

winger999 wrote:
Thanks all for the advice. When I did use the power washer, I used the lowest setting and nozzle, it wasn't much different than using a hose. Pretty sure I will try a soft brush this spring and see how it works. The pressure washer really didn't save me much time last summer, no quicker than in the past.

Sorry about posting in the wrong place. And no, I did not read the "warning" before I posted. I am a bad person.

I forgive you.

If you follow the KISS mentality, then simply do the following:

Drive to Walmart and go to where they sell the camper stuff. Buy a spray bottle of the Camco rubber roof cleaner. Now go to the automotive section and pick up a soft bristle brush with a long sturdy handle.

Get a step ladder and start at the front or back by placing it next to the TT. Get up on the ladder and spray off the roof with a hose. Then spray the roof in small sections with the roof cleaner. Don't go past the center of the roof. Brush with long handled soft brush. Pay extra attention to the caulk seams - use more cleaner on them. You will see the water turning a muddy color.

Hose the section of the roof off, and also rinse your brush. Do the next section, moving the ladder as needed, and only to the center. When you get to the opposite end, repeat on the other side.

You will see white stuff on the ground - not to worry. Your roof won't look that great until it dries, but when it does - wow. I'll post a picture of my roof after following this procedure when I find it.

[Derrils]

Please get some advice on a set up for commercial and fleet pressure washer? I was thinking about buying one or two hot water machines with a high gpm and a 550 gallon water tank. A roof cleaning system and possibly a sirocco recovery system. Do you guys thing I'm going in the right direction? I am also trying to figure out what to do to the wood floors. What do you guys recommend on how to take care of the flooring? I was thinking about have the floors rhino lined. Thanks guys

[DE88ROX]

winger999 wrote:
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 last year. I used the lowest setting and it didn't seem to hurt anything. Just curious what others are doing and if I would be causing any unseen damage.

I have the same Trailer, albeit a 2012. read your roofs manual. mine say to use dish soap and a soft bristle brush. I use the same style of brush I use when I wash the trailer and my truck. soft bristles and telescoping handle. The sop I use is Palmolive w/oxy. wash it about twice a year.

[rbpru]

My TT has a "no walk" roof typical of a light weight TT. It is eight years old and in the five years I have owned it, I cleaned it once, last year, with a ladder on the side, a brush and soapy water.

Other than removing the top layer of dirt, I really do not see any benefit to doing what a days drive in a hard rain would do.

I wash the sides because the dirt and grime does not look good but I do not recall anyone commenting on my roof being dirty.

At this point, in think I will limit my roof activities to seal inspection. No reason to risk damaging the roof with some ham handed activity on my part.

[GrandpaKip]

winger999 wrote:
Thanks all for the advice. When I did use the power washer, I used the lowest setting and nozzle, it wasn't much different than using a hose. Pretty sure I will try a soft brush this spring and see how it works. The pressure washer really didn't save me much time last summer, no quicker than in the past.

Sorry about posting in the wrong place. And no, I did not read the "warning" before I posted. I am a bad person.

The worst. Now go sit in the corner.

[Community Alumni]

I don't use one on the roof. There's a risk of damaging something and it's not really much more effective then just washing it with a brush. A pressure washer is a pretty powerful tool, even on low settings, and damage can be done in the blink of an eye. There's a chance that you can drive water into a place where it shouldn't be. It can turn little cracks and voids into big problems. The only time I'll use a pressure washer on the roof is if there's a problem that's best solved by it. For general maintenance I use a brush, soap, and a hose.

[winger999]

Thanks all for the advice. When I did use the power washer, I used the lowest setting and nozzle, it wasn't much different than using a hose. Pretty sure I will try a soft brush this spring and see how it works. The pressure washer really didn't save me much time last summer, no quicker than in the past.

Sorry about posting in the wrong place. And no, I did not read the "warning" before I posted. I am a bad person.

[Cobra21]

I do use a low power washer on my roof. It does a great job getting the tree sap off. I usually do it in the spring which I will do as soon as it warms up here. Eight years now without any problems. Don't use it on the sides though. Most of the cheap graphics won't stay.
Brian

[trailer_newbe]

Do not use a power washer...period.