How To Clean A Tarnished Copper Roof

Residential home with copper roof that is showing patina shade of green and brown Las Vegas home

A cute copper roof volition last many decades and should need merely minimal intendance. Potent and durable, copper has a natural lifecycle that takes it from a shiny copper glow to a rich, distinctive patina, one that is recognizable worldwide as seen in many celebrated buildings, some hundreds of years old. To achieve that distinguished maturity, almost homeowners wait forrard to or even accelerate the maturation of their copper roof to its ultimate patina. Just no affair what stage your copper roof is in, there are even so things you should know to help your roof look and perform its very best for a very long fourth dimension to come.

Copper Roof Patina Germination

The patina color on a copper roof is a sign that the copper is maturing and actually strengthening equally it ages. When a copper roof is exposed to wet and air contaminants, the oxidation process begins. A thin layer begins to form, which is the patina , sometimes called verdigris. As the years go by, the patina will grow thicker and information technology will modify colour. The colour may vary, depending on the location of the roof. For case, urban copper roofs may take a bluish patina, due to the copper sulfate that forms from deposits from urban pollution. A copper roof on a building most the coast may have a greenish tint as the salt air forms copper chloride in the patina. It's important to call back that this is a long, natural process. You tin look it to take even longer if you live in a dry out climate that doesn't get much rain or humidity. Plus, the patina will probably mature unevenly. Unlike parts of the roof may receive more or less sunlight, and other factors can besides give it an uneven appearance. This is normal and eventually the unabridged roof will take on the same vivid color. The procedure itself tin can exist fascinating to follow over the years and can usually be allowed to progress naturally. That does not hateful that the roof, like any other roof, should non be monitored for any problems, impairment or droppings.

Things to Avoid When You Have a Copper Roof

New copper roof and copper covered gazebo in Las Vegas with new copper shine

Normally, simple droppings removal is all that's needed to continue your roof in good status. Some homeowners, nevertheless, may be tempted to manage the coloration of the roof and want to preserve the "shiny" stage of the copper. This is probably not the all-time route, equally the thin layer of patina really helps protect the copper beneath information technology and adds to the life of the copper roof. And, removing the patina tin scar or damage the copper. It's important to avoid harsh chemical cleaners every bit their employ to remove the protective patina opens the possibility the roof will become pitted. Cleaning the roof with any type of lather is non recommended.

Some other thing to avoid is using a chemical sealant on the roof. Employ of a sealant creates a need for regular monitoring and maintenance and information technology has to exist done meticulously to avert damage. Missing a spot, uneven application or other mistakes can cause drastic unevenness in the patina and ruin the look of the roof for years until the sealant wears away. Recollect, the patina itself is the only sealant that is required to have a beautiful, natural, long-lived copper roof.

If you alive in Las Vegas, or any dry environs, y'all may wish to speed upwardly the patina formation. This is usually all-time left to professionals as many of the chemicals and products marketed for this purpose can impairment your roof. At Prestige we tin can treat the copper after installation with a safe and constructive blanket to help brainstorm the aging procedure so your roof will more than quickly form a natural, even patina pattern for the look you desire. See below for a gentle, natural manner to help the patina formation.

Proper Care for a Copper Roof

selection of roofer nails for installation or repair including copper and steel nails

If properly installed by professionals trained as copper roofing specialists, your copper roof will basically be maintenance free. Information technology's nonetheless important to remove debris that may accumulate over the winter or afterwards a rainstorm, then at least an annual inspection or post-tempest inspection is in order. Removing debris volition clinch there is no impairment nether the droppings from falling branches or other objects and information technology as well allows the patina formation procedure to go along evenly beyond the roof.

Occasionally, if droppings has been present for some time, or if the roofer did a poor job of installing your roof (such as using steel nails that may rust instead of copper nails), you may see streaks or stains on the roof and desire to remove them. If you are a do-information technology-yourselfer, here is a simple method yous can use to lightly clean your roof. This launder will as well assist speed up the oxidation process in our dry out climate. Be certain to do this when there is no pelting in the forecast:

Sweep any debris, grit, branches or leaves off the roof with a broom.
Create a mixture using equal parts salt and white vinegar. Stir information technology until the salt is completely dissolved.
Apply the mixture evenly over the roof, using a soft-bristled castor.
Rinse the salt and vinegar off with a garden hose. Never employ a pressure washer on a copper roof, because it tin can impairment the patina.

Remember, a well-designed and properly installed copper roof will not commonly have problems. Even so, if you find anything that worries you lot, accept your roofer take a look. To preserve the beauty and value of your unique copper roof and avoid unintentional damage, be certain to consult with your roofer earlier applying any cleaning or other roof treatments.

Prestige Roofing for All Your Roof Maintenance Needs

luxury home with copper fixture over entryway with patina custom designed

A thing of uncommon beauty, a copper roof can last a century or longer. You will enjoy years of beauty and discover that your roof requires little maintenance compared to other types of roofs. At Prestige Roofing we are copper roofing experts, so in addition to crafting and installing your roof, we're ready to take care of any cleaning or maintenance issues that come up. We hope you will arrive touch on with u.s.a. for all your roofing needs.

Prestige Covering's piece of work ranges from service and repair piece of work, re-roofing and new structure work, commercial and residential work. They have also done work for ultra-custom projects around the Las Vegas Valley.