Cleaning Colourbond Roofs with K4
Pressure cleaning a Colourbond roof can remove dirt and mould, but using high pressure (over 1,400 PSI) or improper techniques often causes significant damage.
Risks include stripping the protective paint coating, causing premature corrosion, and forcing water under panels, leading to leaks.
Using a soft wash (mild detergent/low pressure) is generally recommended.]
Consequences of Improper Pressure Cleaning:
- Coating Damage: It can strip or thin the protective paint finish, exposing the steel underneath to accelerated corrosion.
- Leaks: Water can be forced into lap joints, fasteners, and seams, leading to water infiltration into the roof cavity.
- Surface Discoloration: High pressure can create uneven cleaning marks and strip the color.
- Warranty Voiding: Using high-pressure methods might void manufacturer warranties, which typically advise against it.
- Regrowth: If not done properly, it can fail to kill spores, leading to faster regrowth of moss and algae.
Safer Cleaning Practices:
- Use Low Pressure: Use a wide fan spray nozzle and maintain a safe distance.
- Soft Washing: Use a mild soft wash solution like to break down growth without damaging the surface.
Pressure cleaning colour coated roofs to remove, moss, algae and lichen may damage the surface.
The pressure required to fully remove lichen may remove the protection provided by the oxidised surface layer, reducing the thickness of the coating and exposing the un-oxidised paint film to sunlight and weathering.
Pressure cleaning is a time consuming, expensive, and ultimately futile way to clean these surfaces: if they are not sterilised in conjunction with pressure cleaning, the lichen residue and spores on the surface will quickly regrow and discolour the roof again.
Most roofs will leak with high pressure water jetting especially tile roofs.
The best method for cleaning and maintaining colour coated roofs are exterior cleaning solutions like k4
k4 contains no bleach, salts, acids or phosphates and is biodegradable and safe to use. It also has one of the highest concentrations to kill moss and lichen available.