Ronnie Reeves 14 Report post Posted April 3, 2004 I have a customer that wants me to clean his aluminum roof, it has mold/mildew and some tree sap. I have never cleaned a aluminum roof and dont want to screw up, need some information from the pros. Also can an aluminum roof be walked on? Thanks Ronnie Reeves Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 RyanH 14 Report post Posted April 4, 2004 I have not tried nor witnessed this myself, so please don't take this as an absolute. My cousin said he used a diluted sodium hydroxide solution on aluminum siding to remove the patina and accumulated "stuff" that doesn't come off with a normal rinsing. He let it dwell for 10 - 15 minutes and scrubbed it with a brush and rinsed with a garden hose. He was surprised because it brought back the shine (my guess is he took the top layer of oxidation off and had fresh metal below it). You might could try this on a small layer after rinsing the initial dirt and mildew off. Just spray it on with a squirt bottle (or garden sprayer if you want to do a larger area) and use circular motion when scrubbing, rinsing regularly (don't allow the dislodged dirt and oxidation to remain on the surface for long at all). You may have to clean the roof in sections as opposed to applying the cleaner to the entire surface and then scrubbing from one side to the other. Just use caution with this stuff. Sodium hydroxide is caustic and can cause burns; cover your arms, legs, and hands. It is also EXTREMELY slippery, so take this into mind before monkeying around on a steep roof (tie yourself off). Hope this gives you some direction (and that it is correct). Ryan H. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 One Tough Pressure 580 Report post Posted April 4, 2004 Sodium Hydroxide is corrosive to aluminum, and if used will need to be with extreme caution, as well as neutralized. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 Ronnie Reeves 14 Report post Posted April 4, 2004 What about Sodium Hypochlorite "bleach" mixed with soap and water? If a label states that a product is safe for aluminum siding, wouldn't it also be safe for aluminum roofing? Thanks, Ronnie Reeves Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 James 625 Report post Posted April 4, 2004 Many metal cleaners are acid based. Agitate with a long pole and brush.Stay off metal roofs when wet....... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
I have a customer that wants me to clean his aluminum roof, it has mold/mildew and some tree sap. I have never cleaned a aluminum roof and dont want to screw up, need some information from the pros. Also can an aluminum roof be walked on?
Thanks Ronnie Reeves
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