Yearly maintenance for DECRA metal roofs

By Trevor Underwood, DECRA Metal Roofing.  

Pro tips for keeping DECRA metal roofs clean and long-lasting. 

Maintaining the beauty and durability of a DECRA metal roof requires regular cleaning to prevent the build-up of dust, dirt and organic growth like algae, moss and mildew. This guide provides you with essential tips, recommended tools and safe cleaning practices to keep DECRA roofs in top condition year after year. With easy-to-follow advice on cleaning products and safety precautions, you’ll learn how to preserve the roof’s pristine appearance and long-lasting performance. 

To keep DECRA Metal Roofs in pristine condition decade after decade, it’s important to clean the DECRA roof at least once a year. 

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about cleaning a DECRA metal roof. 

Roof cleaning prep: Tools and safety precautions 

When preparing to clean a DECRA Metal Roof, gather the following tools:   

• Sturdy ladder or harness to ensure your safety. 
• Safety goggles and non-slip shoes.  
• Tarps or coverings to protect surrounding landscaping and other surfaces below the roof. 

Reminder to always use caution when cleaning a roof and follow proper safety guidelines, including: 

• Wear appropriate clothing and shoes: Loose clothing and open-toe shoes can be dangerous when working on a roof, so it's important to wear appropriate clothing and shoes that fit snugly and provide good traction. 
• Be aware of the weather and avoid cleaning the roof if it is wet or if there is a chance of rain or thunderstorms. 
• Have someone to assist you with the cleaning process to ensure your safety. 

Cleaning products that are compatible with a DECRA metal roof  

Before cleaning a DECRA metal roof, please note the following: 

• Do not use water pressure above 500 psi. Water should be used for rinsing and not a primary method to remove dirt, algae, mildew, lichen or moss. 
• Avoid forceful removal of stone-coated granules in all instances. 
• Do not exceed 160 degrees (F) water or solution temperature. 

It’s critical to carefully follow the instructions for any cleaning product used on your DECRA roof. 

The following list of cleaning products – while not comprehensive – includes products that are compatible with DECRA roofing (in alphabetical order). 

• Bayer Advanced 2-in-1 Moss & Algae Killer 
• Clenz-O2-Roof by Greenflow USA 
• Spray & Forget Roof Cleaner Concentrate 
• Wash Safe Roof Wash 
• Wet & Forget Outdoor 

Note: If you use a cistern collection system to collect and store rainwater for household and other uses, be sure to disconnect the system from the roof to avoid contamination when cleaning. Be sure to allow the roof to further flush through at least three rainfall occurrences before reconnecting roof water run-off back into the cistern collection system.   

What to know about cleaning algae, lichen, mildew or moss  

When using any products that are designed to prevent algae, mildew, lichen or moss, be sure they are non-corrosive and don’t contain any ingredients that could harm the landscaping, furniture or structures below. 

Do not use copper or iron-based products to clean or treat a DECRA Metal Roof for algae, mildew, lichen or moss growth. While DECRA Metal Roofs are resistant to rust, copper-based products or solutions create a galvanic reaction due to dissimilar metals, and iron-based products can stain the roof.   

Tips for minimizing the build-up of dust and dirt on the roof 

We recommend cleaning DECRA Metal Roofs at least once a year. If your customers live in an area with heavy tree coverage, high pollution or near construction sites, it may be necessary to have the roof cleaned more frequently. 

In addition to regularly cleaning the roof, you can also minimize the amount of dust and dirt that accumulate on the roof by: 

• Cleaning gutters regularly can help to prevent debris from accumulating on the roof. 
• Trim overhanging branches as they can deposit leaves and other debris on the roof. 
• Installing gutter guards can help to keep debris out of the gutters. 
• Keep the surrounding area clean by regularly removing fallen leaves, branches and other debris.  

Additional resources to share with homeowners  

Remember that DECRA Metal Roofs are backed by a Lifetime Limited Warranty that covers wind up to 120 miles per hour and hailstones up to 2.5 inches in diameter, so don’t forget to have them register their warranty. 

Warranty information, as well as cleaning instructions, walking instructions and FAQs about your DECRA metal roof can be found in the DECRA Metal Roofing Homeowner’s Manual. 

Original article and image source: DECRA Metal Roofing