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TOPIC: Painting/Coating metal roofs

Pollen on Galvalume Painted Metal Roof

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My new, galvalume metal roof (dark green) has received several coatings of yellow pine pollen this spring, and with no rain to wash it off, it has gotten just damp enough with morning dew to stick to the panels like glue. I have sprayed the water hose on it and it won't come off. I assume it is going to take some elbow grease. I don't want to walk on it, so should I get an painter's extension pole and put a sponge on the end and use detergent, or what is the best answer? If I had known I would have to deal with this every spring, I would have gotten shingles... Any help would be appreciated. Bill
Guest User

3/25/2002
Hi Bill, Well, I have to admit that this is a new question for me. I know that my company has lots of metal roofs installed in a particular area down south that has a real pine pollen problem yet I have never heard this problem before. That said, I know how pine pollen can get very sticky. I suspect that you'd have the same problem with any other type of roofing too. Of course, though, I am sure you want your metal roof to looks its absolute best and I cannot blame you for that. I will add that I do not think the pine pollen will cause any problem for the metal or the paint finish. So, what we're dealing with here is primarily a "looks" issue. I do think that, with summer rains and heat, you might find that the pollen will release and then wash off but you probably know better than I whether that will happen. Your sponge idea doesn't sound bad. I would use a light detergent and then rinse with clear water. If the light detergent doesn't work, you could use a light mixture of trisodium phosphate and detergent and then rinse it with clear water. The other option would be to power spray the roof. I hope this helps. Perhaps some other readers of this forum will have ideas, too. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

3/25/2002
I live in the south under very large oak trees. I purposely used metal on areas that are beneath the canopy during a remodel about 13 years ago. Since then I fought the pollen and tree sap staining problem on my metal roof for years and finally gave up trying to keep it clean. Before remodeling, I had an asphalt shingle roof under the trees. The staining problem was worse on shingles. The granular material on asphalt shingles holds the stain even tighter than metal. I care more about my trees and shade than the appearance of my roof, so the trees are staying. I also built an extra-strong metal roof to withstand impacts by falling limbs during wind storms, ice storms, etc. This roof has taken on 8-inch limbs falling 30 feet or more during ice storms with no dents or ill effects. Speaking from experience, cleaning and walking on a metal roof is hazardous and should not be done without a safety harness. Yes, I slid off once, and learned my lesson. Most of my metal roof has a 5/12 slope. It catches leaves and tree blooms on the screw heads and in the valleys. This material must be removed periodically to keep the roof dry. Trapped moisture can cause rusting. I duct-taped a leaf rake to a very long bamboo pole so I can "rake the roof" from the ground and avoid having to suit-up in my climbing harness.
Guest User

5/17/2002
Thank you, Mac. That is some great information and insight! Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

5/17/2002
If you powerwash or even soak and rinse the roof you may want to look into automotive car wash products. Many of these are designed with additives that help to dissolve tar, bugs, etc without hurting the paint coating. Keep in mind though that cars have a very tough acrylic finish and can take a little stronger detergent. Use mild solutions on the roofing and don't let it sit too long without rinsing. also if using a powder wash, don't use too high of a psi, and keep the nozzle from getting too close. The idea would be to remove the pollen, but not blast off the paint coating.
Guest User

6/20/2002