Dont turn them down it’s easy money
Thank you. Everybody and their brother is going to metal roofs where I live. I don’t want to do roofs at all, but a shop roof or two would be ok. All the “pole barn” builders are switching to all metal construction instead of sheathing and shingles.
THANK YOU! Maybe I can stop turning those jobs down or maybe even go help @Hotshot wash his shop if he gets it.
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You can wash metal just like vynil you just need a little more surfactant and you must start from the bottom with your soap rinse from the top. Low pressure tips will help alot
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I’ve read somewhere that too strong of a mix can completely strip the finish from it and/or leave black spots. In the tiny bit of metal that I’ve washed I just down streamed SH and surfactant with my 8gpm and rinsed with moderate pressure. Turned out fine but I still didn’t feel comfortable marketing it.
Like I said you gotta test it on all sides. Always start weak sometimes I forget to mention that because I assume everyone does. Oh and always and mean always clean it when it’s cool never clean metal buildings in the heat of the day.
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Understood. I just need more knowledge and more experience before I would feel comfortable marketing for it. Not that there’s a ton of it in my area anyhow.
Metal roof cleaning info
.05 percent SH “ housewash mix “ will clean most metal roofs
1 percent is generally max for non colored and dark colored metal roofs.
2 percent is max strength and usually only used on commercial roofs and white colored metal roofs.
Hardware the is the real problem.
Always check the hardware first. If the fasteners are galvanized are have been painted to match . I would recommend not cleaning the roof. No matter how much rinsing is done they might still rust. Although they shouldn’t be there since most metal roofs must be installed using coated hardware unfortunately many roofers take the cheaper route.
To determine quality hardware just lightly scratch the fasteners with a wire brush. If its quality the color will not come off.
Treating metal roofs is very easy. treat and rinse just like a house wash.
Debris is common on roofs and obviously has to be removed before cleaning.
Blower work best but sometimes a brush can be used. General rule is don’t use a brush any stiffer than you would wash your car with. Galvalume especially can be scratched very easy . Often times debris can be washed off the roof from the ground with a zero degree nozzle making it unnecessary to get on the roof.
Walking metal roofs can be done generally up to a 5/12 pitch with gym shoes anything above that caugar paws really help. DO NOT attempt to walk the roof when it’s wet. Not even caugar paws can get traction on wet metal. Not to mention you will leave foot prints all over the roof . I prefer to use the hardware for traction. Unfortunately more and more roofs are being built without exposed hardware.
As with any job spending a few minutes doing research will pay off in the end . Asking the home owner what brand there roof is gives you the ability to look up or talk to the manufacturer. It’s always best to make sure what your doing is approved by the MANUFACTURER not roofer so you don’t void any warranty the home owner might have. Don’t bother asking the roofing company who installed it . Generally they have no clew about roof cleaning and more often then not will try and scare the homeowner into using only them to maintenance on the roof. Cutting you out of the job.
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Are you walking metal roofs laid with just purlins over trusses? That is how they are making a lot of the junk nowadays for pole buildings and workshops (no sheathing). I would think it would bow/bend, but I don’t know.
No . Down here in Florida the only roofs that are secured to furing strips are stone coated metal roofs. Sometimes there is a small air gap but it’s very shallow. Only commercial buildings and pole barns have a significant span were it’s not supported. Also because of the wind load being a costal state very few buildings have 29 guage metal. It’s mostly 26 guage and fairly strong
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Thank you. When they build them in my neck of the woods they have to consider snow load. But snow load and 250lb man with gear don’t weigh exactly the same. I’ll talk to the amish crew down the road when I see them again, I think they are walking the purlins when they install. Those guys + kids are on metal roofs rain or shine, winter or summer. Guess when your knockin out 10+ kids per family, one or two might be expendable (it’s a joke for anyone upset).
Pole buildings are getting pretty cutthroat around here since the amish came. Price didn’t drop for the consumer too much though.
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Thats galvalum there in the middle sir. Its satin silver, not painted but is coated, Wife doesn’t like a colored roof.
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That’s sharp! Do it yourself? I’m going to be need a new roof in the next 5 years and wondering if its something I can pull off.
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Roofing is definitely something you can do yourself metal roofing is easier than shingles. The trick is to find a good supplier that will cut it to your measurements
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Ive done a bit of shingle repair, but that’s the end of my roofing knowledge. I’m less worried since it would be going ontop of an already sound roof
Dont put two layers on take it down to the plywood and run ice and water all the way to the ridge. Dont mess around with black paper of any kind. Ice and water sticks to the plywood so you cant get any moisture between layers. Dont forget the vents a roof that breathes right will last twice as long. Always lace your valleys.
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This stuff? Ive only ever used the old fashioned tar paper
https://www.homedepot.com/p/GCP-Applied-Technologies-36-in-x-75-ft-225-sq-ft-Ice-and-Water-Shield-Roll-Roofing-Underlayment-in-Black-5003002/202088840
Well kinda go to roof supply you will find a better manufacturer at a better price. But yes that’s the right concept
Thanks for the insight. Definitely bookmarked this one.
The roof was indeed galvalume. No hardware was exposed. The coating was in decent shape with the exception of some scratches here and there and two rust spots which were photographed prior to cleaning. This was a multi level home. I used the magnetic cougar paw shoes today for the first time. I highly recommend them. I had to walk this roof due to balconies and trees preventing correct ladder positioning. The shoes make you feel glued to the roof when dry. When wet not so much. When soapy don’t even consider it. We used a harness anchors to both sides of the home. The roof was done in sections and allowed to dry before digressing to the ladder. After cleaning agent halt was applied and rinsed. I’ve cleaned many metal roofs but this one by far the most challenging. Thanks to everyone that contributed some tips and tricks. Now back to the derailing 
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