Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Working around lead

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Somebody will go up there and Power Wash it, Probably some Mexican

Soft-N-Safe Chuck · Veteran Member

Maybe a small crane with 60 foot of telescoping boom and a basket to allow the technician to hand clean around sensitive areas. Or possibly have a scaffold company come in and set up scaffolding as needed to allow your technician to take necessary effective precautions . A good scaffold crew could probably get it up the day before , and tear it down when you have completed the work. Probably cheaper than a crane.

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I agree with Mav as to the scaffolding.

A few things concern me with this home. If it is nine years old, the algae growth looks like it 15 - 20. We clean a lot of slate and haven't seen that heavy growth on homes 20 years old.

As to lead, it was banned in 1978. Now, I have no clue about flashing, gutters, etc. when it comes to the ban but my understanding is ALL lead was banned from all construction. Are you 100% sure it's lead? The last lead flashing I saw on a roof, the home was built in the 40's.

I wish I could be more helpful.

Power Washing Charlottesville · Veteran Member

If lead were a factor and I knew SH would react with it and possibly an industrial strength hydrogen peroxide, here's what I'd do.

I'd rent a 40-60 foot articulating lift and powerwash the entire roof with hot water using a wand and nozzle to cut in the edges and valleys and my 12 inch surface cleaner from Mosmatic to do the rest.

Customer would have to cover all costs. Shouldn't take more than 2 days.

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

BlueRidge wrote:
I agree with Mav as to the scaffolding.
A few things concern me with this home. If it is nine years old, the algae growth looks like it 15 - 20. We clean a lot of slate and haven't seen that heavy growth on homes 20 years old.
As to lead, it was banned in 1978. Now, I have no clue about flashing, gutters, etc. when it comes to the ban but my understanding is ALL lead was banned from all construction. Are you 100% sure it's lead? The last lead flashing I saw on a roof, the home was built in the 40's.

I wish I could be more helpful.

Brett, not sure if its local to the northeast especially with the humidity we've had the last few years but I generally get calls for roof cleaning when a new home or development hits that 10 year mark.

I did some research. It appears it is actually lead coated copper and is actually the top choice for flashing and gutters in the northeast. It is less reactive w other metals, easily workable and doesnt bleed out like copper does especially on cedar roofing.

It appears it is still an approved building material for EXTERIOR work and is only hazardous to the installer if handled incorrectly .

It definitely reacts to SH and changes color. I've attached some pics of a job I was on the other day that had a lead vent pipe.

I've passed on the project. I dont have any interest in powerwashing a roof or trying some other chemicals I'm not familiar especially on a house like this. I think the risk far outweighed the reward.

Power Washing Charlottesville · Veteran Member

I wonder if the guys at EaCho Chem could/would offer any advice on this topic.

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

DirtyRoofcom wrote:
BlueRidge wrote:
I agree with Mav as to the scaffolding.
A few things concern me with this home. If it is nine years old, the algae growth looks like it 15 - 20. We clean a lot of slate and haven't seen that heavy growth on homes 20 years old.
As to lead, it was banned in 1978. Now, I have no clue about flashing, gutters, etc. when it comes to the ban but my understanding is ALL lead was banned from all construction. Are you 100% sure it's lead? The last lead flashing I saw on a roof, the home was built in the 40's.

I wish I could be more helpful.

Brett, not sure if its local to the northeast especially with the humidity we've had the last few years but I generally get calls for roof cleaning when a new home or development hits that 10 year mark.

I did some research. It appears it is actually lead coated copper and is actually the top choice for flashing and gutters in the northeast. It is less reactive w other metals, easily workable and doesnt bleed out like copper does especially on cedar roofing.

It appears it is still an approved building material for EXTERIOR work and is only hazardous to the installer if handled incorrectly .

It definitely reacts to SH and changes color. I've attached some pics of a job I was on the other day that had a lead vent pipe.
I've passed on the project. I dont have any interest in powerwashing a roof or trying some other chemicals I'm not familiar especially on a house like this. I think the risk far outweighed the reward.

Thanks for the info Erik. I had no clue. I think you made the right choice!