FPCS Report post Posted November 16, 2013 We have been asked to give prices on a couple of metal roofs. (Residential) One customer said that a local company, one of the most popular roof cleaners here in my town, said that they do not clean metal roofs. Does this guy know something we don't, and is avoiding issues that metal roofs present that shingle/tile do not? So what ratios and mixes are you guys using on metal roofs? Should I be worried about fading a colored metal roof with a typical roof mix? Let's get some more info on this forum! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andy hinson Report post Posted November 16, 2013 Yes he does. Run!!! Live to clean another roof. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777 Report post Posted November 16, 2013 We have been asked to give prices on a couple of metal roofs. (Residential) One customer said that a local company, one of the most popular roof cleaners here in my town, said that they do not clean metal roofs. Does this guy know something we don't, and is avoiding issues that metal roofs present that shingle/tile do not? So what ratios and mixes are you guys using on metal roofs? Should I be worried about fading a colored metal roof with a typical roof mix? Let's get some more info on this forum! Well .... Myself and my company have been in business cleaning roofs here in the Tampa Florida area for nearly 20 years. In the time, we have done in excess of 20,000 tile, shingle, and yes, metal roofs. I don't know of ANY Metal Roofs we have ever ruined, or rusted. BUT, a good friend/local competitor just called me, and asked me what to do about all the large "black spots" that appeared all over the 20,000 sf ft or a warehouse metal roof they just cleaned. I told him he had better have Insurance! Instead of calling me to ASK what to do, they made a 60 to 70% SH to water metal roof cleaning mix with Gain. Then, when they saw all the black spots, hit them with straight chemical! It was too late, the damage has been done, the Metal Roof is ruined! Guys, always use a weak shingle mix on a metal roof, and NEVER any soaps (it makes the roof too slippery, and you will go surfing to your death)! One "secret" is to use some Sodium Metasilicate in your metal roof cleaning mix! 5 Reasons to Choose Sodium Silicate as Your Corrosion Inhibitor It Works Sodium silicate is a proven corrosion inhibitor, effective on a variety of metals, including lead, zinc and copper. Since first being used in 1921 to control lead in English drinking water, sodium silicate remains the time-tested solution to corrosion inhibition. It Works - Two Ways Sodium silicate reacts with metal surfaces to form a protective barrier against corrosion. It also increases water pH, another important corrosion control mechanism. It Works - Safely Just add sodium silicate to your water distribution system. It's safe. And it's easy to handle, store, and apply. It Works - EasilyUse sodium silicate as a corrosion inhibitor, and you won't need to think about other treatments. Sodium silicates contribute no zinc or phosphorous to drinking water. It Works - Effectively Sodium silicate is the simple, natural way to inhibit corrosion. Many public utility systems in the United States and Canada are using this environmentally safe, readily soluble liquid. PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andy hinson Report post Posted November 16, 2013 Usually takes more than chems to clean. If oxidized manual labor is involved by means of brushing. Walking on them wet is dangerous. People usually wont pay what it's worth. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Richard Frisson Report post Posted November 17, 2013 Damn Chris you need to start a roof cleaning school for all of us. This information is really helpful. I manage to clean metal roofs off the ladder... because without a surfactant all that SH goes to waste running off so quickly... where do you buy sodium metasilicate raw? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FPCS Report post Posted November 17, 2013 Damn Chris you need to start a roof cleaning school for all of us. This information is really helpful. I manage to clean metal roofs off the ladder... because without a surfactant all that SH goes to waste running off so quickly... where do you buy sodium metasilicate raw? We would attend that school !! Got my vote for "Apple Roof Cleaning Educational Class" . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777 Report post Posted November 17, 2013 Damn Chris you need to start a roof cleaning school for all of us. This information is really helpful. I manage to clean metal roofs off the ladder... because without a surfactant all that SH goes to waste running off so quickly... where do you buy sodium metasilicate raw? Florida Chemical Supply on Chelsea Street in Tampa sells and ships it! Usually takes more than chems to clean. If oxidized manual labor is involved by means of brushing. Walking on them wet is dangerous. People usually wont pay what it's worth. Very Very True Andy! We never touch an already oxidized metal roof. And, we charge at least double to clean them too! Most metal roofs we clean are the ones on houses that are shiny colored metal. These clean right up, and easily too, just got to take care not to slip and fall off the roof! A weak shingle mixture with about a 4 ounce cup of sodium metasilicate per every 5 gallons of mix is what we have been using for years, followed up by an immediate and very thorough rinse, as soon as you are finished. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spray Force Report post Posted February 22, 2014 Chris signed me up for the inaugural school, I'm game, I think everybody's right other folks are listening to the wrong people thanks for all the info. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly Lee Report post Posted June 9, 2014 Where do you get sodium metasilicate? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777 Report post Posted June 10, 2014 Where do you get sodium metasilicate? Florida Chemical Supply Tampa Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ReNew Roof & Exterior cleaning Report post Posted August 11, 2015 (edited) I have a good question on metal roofs. I will be looking at a large home with a very steep roof to clean(asphalt shingles) and siding clean. The only thing is, the asphalt shingle roof dumps directly onto a metal roof. So my mix will run onto the metal roof a little when I spray and a lot when I rinse. My thoughts are to continuously spray the metal roof with water (drilled well at the home) or tarp the metal roof. Only thing about tarping is I dont know how big that metal roof is until I go and look at it.Any thoughts? Edited August 11, 2015 by ReNew Roof & Exterior cleaning Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ReNew Roof & Exterior cleaning Report post Posted August 11, 2015 Also dont know what type siding is on the home. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777 Report post Posted August 12, 2015 I have a good question on metal roofs. I will be looking at a large home with a very steep roof to clean(asphalt shingles) and siding clean. The only thing is, the asphalt shingle roof dumps directly onto a metal roof. So my mix will run onto the metal roof a little when I spray and a lot when I rinse. My thoughts are to continuously spray the metal roof with water (drilled well at the home) or tarp the metal roof. Only thing about tarping is I dont know how big that metal roof is until I go and look at it.Any thoughts?Spraying it with water constantly seems like the best idea Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ReNew Roof & Exterior cleaning Report post Posted August 12, 2015 Thanks Chris. Seems to make the most sense to me. 1 Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777 Report post Posted August 13, 2015 Thanks Chris. Seems to make the most sense to me.I had a roof cleaning friend once upon a time, who sold metal roof cleaning this way. He offered his customers a choice of whether they wanted their metal roofs neutralized, or just rinsed, w/o any neutralization. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ReNew Roof & Exterior cleaning Report post Posted August 13, 2015 I plan on using Anti-Chlor which is sold just down the road to neutralize the metal roof with. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Philip McCullough Report post Posted December 9, 2016 Does anyone know if Florida Chemical Supply selling Sodium metasilicate under another name? I can't seem to find it on thier website.... Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miami Roof Cleaning Services Report post Posted December 20, 2016 Chris how do we order Sodium metasilicate, it's not listed on their website. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miami Roof Cleaning Services Report post Posted December 20, 2016 Hi Chris, is Sodium metasilicate highly corrosive? and what would be the reaction when mixed with SH and surfactant? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777 Report post Posted December 21, 2016 Chris how do we order Sodium metasilicate, it's not listed on their website. We get it there, call them 1 Philip McCullough reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
