rust flakes from grinder on new roof: "I have just had a new galvalume roof installed on ..." - Charles Nichols (11/27/2015) | I Have An Existing Metal Roof and Have A Question | Ask The Experts Forum

I have just had a new galvalume roof installed on my house. The contractor got the ends crooked down one side of the house so he cuts the whole side off with a grinder. Now I have small rust spects all over the roof, heavy in spots scattered in others. How much will this harm the roof if nonthing is done. Will a pressure washer wash them off ? I have read the old post that I could find on the subject. Soft scrub was mentioned. How is it applied and used? Thanks	Charles Nichols 11/27/2015	Share Or copy this URL: https://www.metalroofing.com/spirit/comment/20863/find/
You need to get rid of those. Otherwise the rust will work its way through the paint finish and reach the base steel. Soft scrub would have to be used by gentle hand scrubbing. Take care to not damage the paint. I do not think power washing will remove the metal shards though you can try.	Todd Miller Isaiah Industries, Inc. 11/27/2015	Share Or copy this URL: https://www.metalroofing.com/spirit/comment/20864/find/
In order to remove iron filings from the installed Mill Finished Galvalume product, you should clean the surface using a mild household cleaner such as “Soft Scrub” and a wet soft sponge. This will help remove the small stains that appear from the iron filings. The cleaned/treated area will have a different appearance than the uncleaned areas. The roof will eventually weather making it look more consistent in appearance. Low Pressure washing can also be considered (2500 psi MAX), a little elbow grease and a standard hose to rinse the residue off of the rood should get the job done for you. As always...please make sure to use proper safety harnesses to avoid falling off your roof. Happy Holidays!	Brian Partyka Metal Roofing On-Demand 11/29/2015	Share Or copy this URL: https://www.metalroofing.com/spirit/comment/20865/find/
Thanks guys for the replies. The roof is over 2500 sq ft and to hand wash every sq ft would be quite a job. Most of the pressure washers are going to be about 3500 psi. Do you think that would harm the roof? I think that would knock the shavings off. The roof is high and you cannot see the spots anywhere from the ground so I am not very worried about the cosmetic appearance. I just want the roof to not be damaged by the shavings. Thanks	Charles Nichols 11/30/2015	Share Or copy this URL: https://www.metalroofing.com/spirit/comment/20866/find/
Charles, do you know what sort of paint finish / coating is on the roof?	Todd Miller Isaiah Industries, Inc. 11/30/2015	Share Or copy this URL: https://www.metalroofing.com/spirit/comment/20867/find/
The roof is not painted, it has the galvanized coating going by the name galvalume. It has a 25 year warranty.	Guest User 12/1/2015	Share Or copy this URL: https://www.metalroofing.com/spirit/comment/20868/find/
Charles, the warranty you are referring to is an assurance that the flat part of the metal will not rust through. The bends, cut area or scratches are excluded. I doubt the grinder dust will be a problem as it is 'burned' into the acrylic coating. If you can live the aesthetic issue, I would leave it alone.	Dick Bus 12/1/2015	Share Or copy this URL: https://www.metalroofing.com/spirit/comment/20869/find/

If you would like to reply to this thread, please log in. If you do not have an Ask the Experts forum user account, create one here.