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cleaning the roof

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cleaning the roof Empty cleaning the roof

Post by IMP Mon Sep 14, 2020 11:12 am

I need to clean the roof, where it has been standing under trees previously.

Is it designed to be safely walked on?
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Post by Adam & Emily Mon Sep 14, 2020 11:26 am

Many posts about this with conflicting views. Concensus seems to be dont as it can effect things like skylight seals and other damage. I lean a ladder against the side of my Nuevo with protective foam on the ladder and use a long brush. Your model might be different
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Post by Gromit Mon Sep 14, 2020 11:35 am

What Adam said, but you could use a slab of wood as a load spreader if you really want to get on the roof.

An alternative for part of the job is to stand on something inside the van and reach out of the sun roof. You should be able to reach quite a lot from there.
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Post by burlingtonboaby Mon Sep 14, 2020 12:02 pm

Used to clean my 09 Nuevo and 08 Sigma roof by opening up the large Heki roof vent ( if your model as one ?) fill a washing bowl with cleaner and wash with a long telescope handled brush, standing on a short step ladder, rinse of with clean water via a hose pipe from the outside.also used a clean paint brush to clean around the tricky bits,TV aerial, etc.
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Post by gary humphries Mon Sep 14, 2020 1:49 pm

Hi I use a ladder with thick pipe insulation on the sides and I also secure the ladder with rope into a double car suction  dent puller this makes it very secure and safe,but still needs a long brush and sometimes a hand rub through the roof vent, hope this helps,regards from sunny and warm Plymouth.
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Post by rogerblack Mon Sep 14, 2020 3:01 pm

I used to go up on the roof of our Pollensa when I was younger, fitter and much slimmer (!) but I wouldn't attempt it now. Even then, I couldn't do all of the bulkhead roof area as that's definitely not load-bearing.

I have a lightweight scaffolding rig which I use for the annual full clean and polish, the rest of the time like others I rest a ladder with pipe insulation against the side and strap it to the roof rails.

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Post by pstallwood Mon Sep 14, 2020 3:37 pm

I have just done our Bourton using a step ladder. Can just about reach everywhere with a long brush. The roof normally gets a wash about 3 times a year but not having used it this year so far it is the first time it has been washed and was a real pain. 

I too have to park it under a tree but there was little in the way of leaves up there but lots of bits and pieces had collected around the roof lights and blown under the solar panel.

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Post by groundhog Mon Sep 14, 2020 3:57 pm

I must be the exception, have no qualms about getting on the roof of a coachbuilt van but I never STAND on the roof only on hands and knees or sitting. It is all about point loads and spreading the loads as far as I am concerned.
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Post by inspiredron Mon Sep 14, 2020 11:01 pm

i too use foam pipe insulation on the sides of a ladder with tubular stiles (actualy a convertible step ladder) and can reach almost everywhere except a tiny bit under the aircon unit where it meets one of the kick-ups (rooflight spoiler?) on my Lancashire.

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Post by IanH Tue Sep 15, 2020 10:30 am

Mines a PVC with the usual ribbed steel roof, I had to get up there to install my semi flex, and other solar panels.
In both vans I managed to put a small dent (non visible or worrying) in one or more of the ridges with just my knee pressure.
Armed with that info, I would never walk on its roof and see no need to get on it at all.

If really worried re roof cleanliness, I find the most efficient method is my bunch of East Europeans and the local hand car wash, they have to be interrogated re not using HP water on solar wiring etc, but once trained they have been good!!!
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