Roof Cleaning

[Eagleback]

Hello, All

I know somewhere on this site a discussion has been done on roof cleaning. being we live in Florida and our roof is in need of a bad cleaning. what do you recommend. I have the usual dirt with mildew. I have used dish soap in the past but can I use something different I know that the cleaner can not have petroleum products in it so knowing that should I just stick to the dawn.

Thank you in advance.

[WaltBennett]

Yes, many obsess about keeping their roofs spotless. Some (like me) only clean it once a year with blue Dawn and a soft brush. Several years back I found a document from an EDPM manufacturer where they stated it was best to NOT clean roofs unless absolutely necessary, and then only with something like blue Dawn, a soft brush and not to scrub hard. DICOR has another document available that says pretty much the same thing, but they've now got a cleaning product out that they recommend - costs more than blue Dawn though.

[tweber502]

Eagleback, I clean the roof of the Monty at least 3 times per year to lessen black streaks from developing on the sides of the camper. I use a mixture of 1cup Murphy's oil soap, 1cup liquid Spic-n-Span to 2gal warm water, scrubbing with a soft/medium bristle brush purchased at Wal-Mart in the RV section. I have been using this method for 10+ years on EPDM roofs with great success and no adverse effects to the roof material. There will be some staining that will not come clean such as the staining from the AC runoff but most all other dirt comes clean. You will never be able to get the roof material to look brand new but it will clean up very nicely. After cleaning the roof you may as well plan on doing an entire wash job since the runoff from the roof will streak on the sides, front and rear of the coach. Tim

[DarMar]

We have used the rubber roof cleaner with no better results than dawn. With a little soft brush effort the roof always comes pretty clean by my standards.

[Eagleback]

That's what I figured that the blue dawn will work well. but I think I will try the oil soap and spic-n-span and see how it goes. Thanks a bunch.

[jcurtis934]

Living in sw florida, if I left the roof alone for more than 3 months, I would have the usual dirt plus some nice mold and mildew growing. Cleaned it yesterday and ac and vent covers had some lovely green with a little black thrown in...my site backs to the native vegetation, close to ag fields, peace river...and you get some people that feel the need to make a smokey fire. Plain old soap and scrub with brush. John

[Eagleback]

Same here were under the live oaks with all the acorns and the air plants mixed with the rag pines and mixed with 100% humidity and SW Florida leaves her mark in many ways that were not apparent in Michigan. There are some things I miss about the north but NOT the cold and snow so I will just have to live with it. LOL

[oldelmer1]

I use bleach on mine to take all the mold off, wet the roof, spray some bleach on, wait 5 minutes, brush a little bit, then wet again, brush, rinse real good.

Then wash with spic and span & Murphy soap combo.

While I am doing all this, DW is on the ground washing the sides, the oxidation will stain the decals, so she washes and washes, and washes.... until I'm done.

[Eagleback]

Seems the spic and span with oil soap seems to be popular. I will have to look in to that.

[MIMF]

I have been doing my roof at least once, sometimes twice a year for the last 10 years. However, I do it when the enter unit is in need of a complete washing.

Using my handy dandy 5 gallon bucket, I first pour in enough bleach to barely cover the bottom and add about 3 gallons of water. Then, dump in a generous amount of blue Dawn. Use the soft brush and go to work.

I rinse the loose stuff off first from the entire roof. As I brush, I do it a section (4 X 8 foot) and rinse very thoroughly. When I have the entire roof washed down, I usually rinse one more time.

Then, I start on the sides using fresh water with automotive wash/wax and clean soft brush and get to work.

BTW. I use the same bleach and blue Dawn on the awning fabric, too.

[southern thunder]

Good info here. I use commercial roof cleaner from Walmart and a little bleach.It works pretty good.

[Eagleback]

My next door neighbor uses a pressure washer to do his roof. its not a high powered one but do you consider that over kill and possible damage to the roof? Just asking.

[kevin50]

Just my 2 cents from past experience, mixing Dawn (blue) with chlorine bleach causes a chemical reaction. When I was mixing it was for a different application in a smaller container but it created heat and a nasty gassing off. Not sure it will have any negative effects on the rubber roof material, plus this is being done outside so no ill effects of inhaling. Just my 2 cents for all us home chemists

[Eagleback]

That was also on my mind.