{"id":12,"date":"2021-03-15T17:34:53","date_gmt":"2021-03-15T17:34:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/turnupthepressure.com\/?p=12"},"modified":"2021-10-20T21:28:38","modified_gmt":"2021-10-20T21:28:38","slug":"how-to-safely-pressure-wash-a-metal-roof","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/turnupthepressure.com\/how-to-safely-pressure-wash-a-metal-roof\/","title":{"rendered":"How to SAFELY Pressure Wash a Metal Roof"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Metal is the second most common choice of roofing materials, with asphalt shingles being the most common. It is estimated that 750,000 U.S. homeowners have a metal roof as of 2015. But how do the people who own houses with metal roofs clean them safely?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can pressure wash a metal roof as long as you use a lower amount of pressure and a wider nozzle tip. If you use too much pressure, you will damage the metal roof over time, even if it is not noticeable at first glance.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do choose to pressure wash your metal roof or clean it with other methods, there are many factors that you need to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safety<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your safety is the most important thing to consider when cleaning any roof,<\/strong> especially a metal one, as it can become very slippery when wet. If you have a metal roof that has a very steep slope, do not try to climb on top of it<\/strong> to clean it. You will most definitely fall and become seriously injured since there are very few places that you can get your footing when the roof has a steep slope. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your metal roof does not have a steep slope, then you can go on top of it to clean it. However, take precautions and be careful while you are on top of the roof. Even after a metal roof has been cleaned, it can be very slippery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listed below are some safety tips to consider before climbing on top of a metal roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Wear a harness and have a fall safe nearby that will catch you if you fall off of the roof.<\/strong><\/li>
  • Wear good non-slip shoes. It helps if they are also waterproof, but they do not have to be if you do not have waterproof shoes. This will prevent you from slipping and falling off of the roof.<\/strong><\/li>
  • Have someone that you trust standing on the ground below you. They can hold the ladder while you climb down off of the roof, and if you fall off of it they can call emergency services and get medical help for you.<\/strong><\/li>
  • Do not drench the entire roof at one time while you are standing on it. Yes, the roof needs to be wet for you to clean it, but there do not need to be rivers of water coming off of your roof while you clean it.<\/strong><\/li>
  • Stand on the ridges of the roof, if the metal roof that you are cleaning has ridges, and stand in one place as much as possible. Your hose or pressure washer should be able to reach the entire roof in most cases.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Pressure Washer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Pressure washers are very easy to buy or rent.<\/strong> However, pressure washers are very expensive, even if you buy a used one in good condition. You can rent one if you do not think that you will use a pressure washer often and do not want to make a large investment, but renting a pressure washer can also be expensive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The average cost of renting a pressure washer from a home center costs $40 to $100 per day, depending on the type of pressure washer and where you rent it from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you want to purchase a pressure washer, the prices range from $100 to $600, <\/strong>depending on what type of pressure washer you purchase and where you purchase it from. An electric pressure washer will cost you anything from $100 to $400<\/strong>, and a gas pressure washer will set you back $300 to $600,<\/strong> not including the cost of the gas and water that you will use when you use your pressure washer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The pressure washer will come with the tips included in most cases, although you should double-check the product description to make sure that they are included before you purchase the pressure washer unit. If the pressure washer does not come with hose tips, they are very easy to find and purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When cleaning a metal roof with a moderate to a high pitch, do not climb on top of it<\/strong>. This is very dangerous, and it is nearly impossible for you to find a place where you can get a good foothold. Listed below are instructions on how you should clean your metal roof if it has a moderate or high pitch. A pitch defines the angle or steepness of a roof. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Instructions<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
    1. Spray your roof with water from a long hose or a pressure washer with gentle pressure. You can also use a typical garden hose if your hose and nozzle have enough pressure. Start from the top and work your way to the bottom. The running water will make it easier for you to remove the grime from the bottom part of the roof.<\/li>
    2. Let a cleaning chemical sit for at least 20 minutes. The longer you let it sit, the better, but do not let it dry completely yet, or else it won\u2019t do its job properly.<\/li>
    3. Spray your roof with diluted ammonia or bleach or another cleaning chemical. The strength of the mixture will change depending on how dirty your roof is, but it is recommended that you use a 3% mixture. If you want to wash the roof with a simple detergent, then that works too.<\/li>
    4. Spray the roof with a pressure washer. Use the 40-degree tip because you do not need a lot of pressure to get the grime off of the roof. Spray any especially bad areas until they are clean and you are satisfied, but the majority of the roof should only need a rinse at this point.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      When you are cleaning a flat metal roof with slight slopes, feel free to climb on top of it to clean it, but it can become very slippery and can be dangerous to be on top of. When you are standing on a metal roof, stand on the raised ridges to avoid slipping and falling. After you are on top of the roof, perform the same steps that are listed above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The video below has some tips for mixing chemicals in large amounts and suggestions for the types of chemicals that you should use to clean metal roofs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n