Roof cleaning

[Camping family]

Just finished washing the camper and checking roof and seals. All is good. My question is has anyone ever used a combination of water and bleach to clean their roof. I use it all the time when washing the house and outbuildings without a problem. Was wondering if it would be okay to use on the camper roof. Sure would make it a lot easier would take away all the scribbling. I’m getting old and up n down the ladder and scrubbing is getting harder n harder. If it’s not safe to use guess it’s time to hire someone to wash n scrub it.

[wiredgeorge]

I would hesitate before using bleach too much. Dicor makes a rubber roof cleaner and a "protectant" product. Quite a few youtube videos with folks sharing their roof cleaning secrets. A couple years ago, before I had a pressure washer, the missus got sick of looking at the mold on the back side of our vinyl sided house. I went out with a long brush and spray bottle of bleach as a first step. Wore long gloves but got bleach that ran down into my gloves and it burned my skin to where I felt stupid. Now have a pressure washer. Some will tell you not to use a pressure washer on your camper but I do all the time and it is pretty good at removing grime from letting the camper sit outside in all weather. A little Simple Green on nasty spots on the roof doesn't hurt as a pre-pressure wash technique to get the nasty spots off.

[Canonman]

Hi Bob,
Not sure how using bleach would eliminate getting up and down from the roof to clean it.
While I've used a bleach solution to clean the mold from the awning, I've not had the need to use it anywhere else on our Cougar. The most common recommendation is simply a mild soap and water solution applied with a soft brush then rinsed with the hose. There are roof specific cleaning products and after treatments that will work as well but all require you to get on the roof to use them.
If your problem is mold as well as dirt then a mild bleach/soap solution will work. The texture of rubber roofs will hold dirt so a little scrubbing is required to remove it regardless of the cleaning product. I'd advise caution with any bleach solution since it can run down the side of the Cougar an possibly "bleach" the color or decals.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

I would hesitate before using bleach too much. Dicor makes a rubber roof cleaner and a "protectant" product. Quite a few youtube videos with folks sharing their roof cleaning secrets. A couple years ago, before I had a pressure washer, the missus got sick of looking at the mold on the back side of our vinyl sided house. I went out with a long brush and spray bottle of bleach as a first step. Wore long gloves but got bleach that ran down into my gloves and it burned my skin to where I felt stupid. Now have a pressure washer. Some will tell you not to use a pressure washer on your camper but I do all the time and it is pretty good at removing grime from letting the camper sit outside in all weather. A little Simple Green on nasty spots on the roof doesn't hurt as a pre-pressure wash technique to get the nasty spots off.

Same here, Simple Green & carefully with a pressure washer.
On previous TT I had a guy wash it as I didn't have time before a trip, he used bleach, apparently straight the way it smelled & within a week the decals started peeling up from what ran off the roof, so I recommend NOT using bleach or a bleach solution.

[rhagfo]

I would avoid using a pressure washer, when prepping for coating with Heng’s I scrubbed with a solution of powered Tide and warm water, used medium stiff scrub brush.

[Carrottop]

Originally Posted by rhagfo

I would avoid using a pressure washer, when prepping for coating with Heng’s I scrubbed with a solution of powered Tide and warm water, used medium stiff scrub brush.

I was thinking of getting this product as it is not quite a pressure washer but better than the psi that comes out of a garden hose. Do you think 320psi would cause any damage.

[gearhead]

I’ve used Wet and Forget on two previous rubber roofs. Mix per instructions in a 2 gallon pump up sprayer.
It won’t get instant results and it won’t get it as clean as scrubbing. But it’s good enough for me.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by Carrottop

I was thinking of getting this product as it is not quite a pressure washer but better than the psi that comes out of a garden hose. Do you think 320psi would cause any damage.

I would not use anything greater than normal water pressure out of good garden hose nozzle.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by Carrottop

I was thinking of getting this product as it is not quite a pressure washer but better than the psi that comes out of a garden hose. Do you think 320psi would cause any damage.

That's 5 to 6 times the pressure of the "average" home's water pressure. There's just too many variables to make a blanket statement on the risk. It would still depend on the nozzle used, the distance from the nozzle to the surface, and how you apply it.

[dutchmensport]

Um ... I'd never use bleach on a rubber roof. It might remove stains, but if it drips over the side of your camper (which surly will happen), then you'll have bleached streaks on the sides. You don't want to run the risk of that.

Bleach will also dry out the oils and chemicals in the rubber roof, shortening it's life span. You are best to use Dicor Rubber Roof Cleaner and Conditioner and don't worry about the stains that won't go away. You'll do more damage to the rubber trying to eliminate the stains than any damage a stain will ever do the roof.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by Carrottop

I was thinking of getting this product as it is not quite a pressure washer but better than the psi that comes out of a garden hose. Do you think 320psi would cause any damage.

That would work nicely, just be sure to not direct a direct stream at the roof, but rather a fan spray.
That would also be handy washing the vehicles as well!

[hawghauler]

I use dawn had a really dirty one we bought right awhile back I scrubbed that one with hot water amd TSP probably not the best thing for a rubber /tpo roof membrane but it sure did clean the gunk off nicely oh I use a medium bristle brush screwed to a paint roller pole to scrub

[Camping family]

Thanks everyone for the information. Bleach is out will stick with dawn soap n water. Thanks everyone

[mjsibe]

After you get the roof cleaned, apply Wet & Forget.
It will slow down the build up of the ugly black mold.
I also use it for the awning.
Clean first apply the Wet & Forget,
Roll it up let soak awhile.
Unroll & let dry
Do not rinse.
It's pretty amazing stuff.
My roof & awning stay cleaner longer.
My house roof stays mold free too.
Good luck!

[Gunny Mike]

Good reading on this subject. I peeked up on our roof this year on our 2019 Outback and I noticed that i can see the roofs cross beams darkening the the rubber roof membrane. Was thinking of cleaning the roof and then applying a rubber coating over these beams that I can see.Any suggestions on what to use for the cleaning and a liquid rubber coating? Was thinking the follwing year applying another coating.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Gunny Mike

Good reading on this subject. I peeked up on our roof this year on our 2019 Outback and I noticed that i can see the roofs cross beams darkening the the rubber roof membrane. Was thinking of cleaning the roof and then applying a rubber coating over these beams that I can see.Any suggestions on what to use for the cleaning and a liquid rubber coating? Was thinking the follwing year applying another coating.

According to Alpha Systems, the manufacturer of the TPO roofing membrane on Keystone trailers, that dark line running across the trailer is "apparently" a chemical reaction to the glue used in the adhesive tape that Keystone uses/used for a while, to cover the butt end edges of the OSB roof decking material. If it's a "chemical reaction" then it probably is not a surface stain, but something that comes from the bottom up to the top. Trying to "scrub it white again" is going to be somewhere between "not worth the time" and "impossible"....

I'd recommend doing a good surface clean, and follow the Alpha Systems recommendations: The roof membrane requires no coating or conditioning during its lifetime.....

We're all "guilty of wanting a new appearance" even when trying to attain it may well be detrimental to the product. Getting those "dark lines running across the TPO membrane falls into that category....

Added: There is a "cleaning procedure" on the Alpha Systems website: https://alphallc.us/product-care/ (look under the FAQ about black streaks on my roof)... That said, IMO, putting full strength bleach on the roof, letting it sit for 10 minutes, then using a brass bristle brush to "vigouously scrub the stain" and then follow with pressure washing ????? Is that really the best care for a "stain that is not detrimental to the reliability of the TPO membrane ??? YMMV

[jb44588]

I had the exact same question, so I called Keystone and they directed me to Alpha, who is the manufacture of my roof membrane. For the Alpha roof, you can use bleach (mild) and have someone rinse the camper as you do it. I don’t use bleach. I asked about Dawn dish soap and they said no problem, so that is what I use. Use caution very slippery when wet and soapy ��. I wash my roof in the Spring and Fall. I also spray the roof and awnings once a year with Wet and Forget. I have no mold issues and the black streaks on my roof are gone. The only way I know to keep from getting on the roof to clean it, is hire someone or appeal to one of your kids/grandkids if you have any.