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UK General Cleaning Forum => General Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: FRESHER on March 16, 2016, 09:10:11 am

Title: Pressure washing roofs damage?
Post by: FRESHER on March 16, 2016, 09:10:11 am

You often hear different views on pressure washing roofs, some say it's fine if you are careful, some say it should never be done.  I guess roof condition comes into it from a starting point, however from an actual damage to the roof point of view, what's the worst thing that has happened on a roof you power washed and what was the end result? I am going to take tentative steps to clean my own roof which is 1970's concrete tiles to see how I get on.

Title: Re: Pressure washing roofs damage?
Post by: Smurf on March 16, 2016, 11:04:15 am

I personal think you need to be an experience roofer for a start or use someone that is. Meaning to be competent at working on roofs safely and be able to replace any broken tiles, dislodged mortar etc and repair any damage they may cause.

Also HSE frown on firm’s pressure washing roofs without proper fall arrest and correct access equipment being used. Many cowboy roof cleaning firms have been caught in the past and taken to court and heavily fined.  How they are caught you may say well it's mostly by concerned members of the public taking pics/vids and reporting them to HSE or worst someone getting hurt.

There are plenty of roof cleaning cowboys around cutting corners that's for sure to remain competitive in price and maximise their profits.  Well that's my opinion anyway  ;D

Here is a typical example how cowboys pressure wash roofs http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/pictured-roofing-firm-fined-after-3457415

Title: Re: Pressure washing roofs damage?
Post by: FRESHER on March 16, 2016, 12:43:04 pm

Hi Smurf,

Thanks for your reply!

I totally take what you say on board, especially about health and safety! 

Title: Re: Pressure washing roofs damage?
Post by: BDCS on March 16, 2016, 06:15:30 pm

Adequate rope access can be bought for about £200. If your sensible roofs can be a good earner. I swerve roofs with the colour being the sand because you get concrete when the sands gone. Also consider softwashing roofs

Title: Re: Pressure washing roofs damage?
Post by: JandS on March 16, 2016, 08:48:24 pm

Also what if there is a weak spot on the roof or a cracked tile you didn't see till it's too late .
Water enters the inside of the property and then you have problems.
Happened a few doors up from me and was a nightmare for the bloke involved although he did get it sorted legal and monetarily wise eventually.