Your metal roof is a big investment! It makes sense that you want to know how to best care for it and preserve its integrity. Your metal roof is strong and durable, but making sure it stays clean can keep it that way for decades to come. In this article, we’ll talk about how often and how to clean your metal roof.
How Often to Clean a Metal Roof
Cleaning your metal roof does more than maintain the curb appeal. Ensuring your roof is free from clutter, debris, and other materials can prevent damage to your roofing materials which can result in costly repairs over time. To keep your roof at its best, you should clean it off one to two times per year!
How to Clean a Metal Roof
Cleaning your metal roof is much easier than you may think. The most important aspect of keeping it clean is safety! Try to wear shoes with good traction, stay off the roof when it is wet, clean as much as you can without walking on it, and never clean your roof alone. Making sure someone else is present when you’re attending to your roof is vital, in case you were to fall!
The materials that are best and safest to use on your metal roofing are simple. Choose a soft towel, a sponge, a soft-bristled brush, or another minimally abrasive cleaning tool for scrubbing grime and build up. Like a car, you do not want to use anything that will damage or scratch the top layer of your metal roof. Most buildup should come off of your roof with plain water and a little scrubbing, but if you need soap, it’s best to use a mild option like laundry detergent or car soap!
To begin cleaning your roof, make sure you have an appropriate ladder. Use the ladder to reach your roof and manually remove as much debris as you can. Leaves, branches, pinecones and pine needles, and other piles of debris are dangers for wear and tear on your metal roof! It’s important to rid your roof of these piles and materials each year. If there is debris out of your reach, carefully mount your roof and remove it. Remember, safety first!
Once you’ve gathered and removed all large debris, scan your whole roof for buildup and residue spots. Gunk and grime can lead to damage like rust, mildew, and more, which can compromise the integrity of your metal roof. Use water, mild detergent, and non-abrasive cleaning tools to gently scrub away any buildup you encounter!
If you come across any buildup you don’t recognize or any alarming issues as you clean your roof, it’s best to have it inspected by a professional! If you live in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, or Mississippi, you can call us to come out and take a look. The Metal Roof pros will take good care of you and your roof. Get in touch here.