I spent the entire morning soaping, scrubbing and rinsing my MH roof. It is fiberglass with a dimpled vinyl-like covering. I tried but could not remove all the black 'plaque' from the textured surface.
It occurred to me about half way through: Am I wasting my time washing this roof?
Aside from a few less black streaks, did I accomplish anything? I even wonder if the black deposits create a barrier against the elements meaning washing does more harm than good?
We don't normally was the roof on a stick house. Does washing an RV roof really do anything useful?
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Happy Ford F-53 Class A Owner (2008 Gulf Stream)
2010 Ford Fusion Toad (with 6 speed manual transmission - the only way to tow)
Brake Buddy Vantage, Blue Ox Aladdin Tow Bar,
TST RV 507 TPMS, Power Master Voltage Controller
Yes Sir,
You did do a good service to your roof. Acid rain, the elements, road grime, and more slowly eat away at your roof. Washing it, and getting it clean allows for the natural protection of the roof composition itself to fight those issues/elements. I don't know if you saw/read my thread on waxing my fibreglass roof or not, but, yep it was a pain, it took some time, around two days, on and off, but, nothing, I MEAN, NOTHING sticks to that roof now. Flies come in for a landing and skid right off the edge.
By getting up there and doing what you did, you also get a chance to do some close-up inspection of all the vents, seals, caulking, seams etc. I'm not suggesting you wax yours, I'm one of the only idiots that will take on that chore. But, a good cleaning is satisfying for all the reasons stated.
And yes, we don't wash our sticks and bricks roof because it's not the same system. However, I've seen quite a few small companies get up on tile roofs and pressure wash them. There's a tremendous difference in color after that's done.
Scott
Scott and Karla SDFD RETIRED
2004 Itasca Horizon, 36GD Slate Blue 330 CAT
2011 White Honda CRV EX-L,4WD w/NAV Toad 2008 Caliente Red LVL II GL 1800 Goldwing KI60ND
Any type of dirt or grime etc. that is on your roof will come down on the sides of your coach making it look unpleasant. And it will keep coming down until your roof is clean. I don't like cleaning my roof but when I'm up there, I'm grateful my roof is not 40'+ that's is good as it gets!
Washing the crude off lets you inspect the caulking throughly...Next time get a high pressure sprayer on LOWER setting(s) and stay away from calked areas...you'll get it clean and in record time.
2000 Country Coach Allure; Cummins ISC 330 HP; 71/2 - 8 MPG regardless
2002 Jeep Liberty
2bzy2c wrote: Fiberglass with a vinyl covering? It is either fiberglass or vinyl. I have never heard of fiberglass covered with vinyl.
Gulf Stream covers some of their hard fiberglass roofs with a flexible membrane. It looks like either vinyl or polyester - I suspect the former.
The membrane is embossed with a pebbled texture which holds dirt (good I think) but makes it hard to get really clean. Adding wax would be virtually impossible but might not be needed anyway given the construction method used.
BTW: I took this picture was taken after cleaning.
Now on my 4th MH. Never washed a single roof. As a fulltimer, seems to me it's only a temporary solution. Yep, probably get more black streaks, but tomorrow's weather, whatever it is, will put more dust & dirt up there, so why bother?
I prefer to focus my efforts on the front, primarily, & the sides, secondarily.
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