Guidance as to working on roof of MH

PJGWiltshire

PJGWiltshire

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Just a quick question around walking on roof of MH.
Today I had my daily exercise and ended up at the storage for the MH for an essential maintenance issue ( The low battery alert alarm on the monitoring device activated.) Decided to start the van up and let the engine run for an hour. This kicked in the B2B and I hope gave both sets of batteries a boost.

Whilst hanging around gave the van a good wash. Well using the small ladder at the storage I saw the roof needs a very deep clean and its completely covered in green tree sap and algae.

Over the years of ownership the van has never been left unwashed for such a long time in the UK Winter. (We are normally in sunnier locations)
The easiest way to carry out the clean would to be to get on the roof with water and wash brush.

Now the question is. I am around 15 stone. The roof is the GRP type. Is it safe to walk on such roof and work on the clean.
 
PJG.... so pleased you asked this question, I have wondered this for a while..... previously I had a Bailey caravan..... their advert is a car on the roof so I was often up there cleaning, now have a Rapido and look forward to the replies !!!!!
 
Most roofs have a weight limit of 75kg, so I would spread your weight using a plank or something.

No a good idea to run the engine stationary about the worse thing you can do with a modern diesel. Should always be driven off directly after starting.
 
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Lenny HB said:
Most roifs have a weight limit of 75kg, so I would spread your weight using a plank or something.

No a good idea to run the engine stationary about the worse thing you can do with a modern diesel. Should always be driven off directly after starting.
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Two tips I didn't realise .......... thanks
 
When I wash the roof of the Rienza I have the advantage that I can put a board across the roof bars. I can reach the Luton with a long handle car wash brush.
If you don’t have roof bars I would suggest a board on the roof to spread the weight.

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I use a couple of MDF boards. Place one to get on the roof and the other to move to the next spot. Stay away from the front and any week spots where there’s a window or something. I tend to stand or kneel where I know there’s support underneath, such as the toilet and shower wall etc.

I find it a safer option then leaning across the roof from a ladder... perhaps I need a safer ladder.
 
Lenny HB said:
Most roifs have a weight limit of 75kg, so I would spread your weight using a plank or something.

No a good idea to run the engine stationary about the worse thing you can do with a modern diesel. Should always be driven off directly after starting.
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I would have gone out for a blast on the road but I SORN ed the van last October. Thanks for the heads up. Just working out 75KG I think I am a tad bit more than that, so I shall have to find a small person
 
Get yourself a plank from Wickes save the roof.
 
Im heavier than 75kg no problem on my old Burstner coach built. Kept away from over cab area don’t think that would take any weight. Short ladder with blanket wrapped where touches bodywork and long handled brush. You could try spraying wet and forget seems to get good reviews on here .
 
Please, use a long handled brush.

You only have to slip or trip to fall fatally. The motorhome roof is a long way up, slippery and full of obstructions. If you were at work, it would firmly fall under the working at height regulations and would require fall arrest or work restraint to work on.

I say this knowing I have done the odd trip up there if I absolutely have had to, but reducing the risk by using a brush is the best plan.

I have seen far too many people come to harm from falling, I would always use an alternative to being up on the roof if possible.
 
the 75kg load limit is great in principle for solid areas of the roof. Where ever there is a cut out section, like round roof lights, way less. By all means go up there to clean it, but spread the load with a board and stick to the edge where it is supported by the outside walls. I find kneeling about a foot in from the edge I can easily reach more than half way across the roof. Just move along both sides and it is soon done.

If you do stand near a skylight, I doubt you would notice a problem straight away, but it can stretch the sealant and result in leaks or cracks at the corner of the cut out area.
 
I have an Adria Matrix and like my previous Dethleffs I can walk on the roof when not fearing vertigo on the edges. My problem like some others is cleaning the sloping front where I cannot give a good scrub from the ground or from the top. At one time I almost slid head first down the front so am extra careful now. I have looked with envy at some Motorhome Shows at the ladders allowing easy access to doing this task but have no space for them.

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Well making enquires with a mate if a mate who has a tower. So may be able to borrow
 
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I have no issues cleaning mine..😜😜😜

AA983A98-4DF1-421F-92D1-7CDE7E523C66.jpeg
 
I use an aluminium ladder with a protecting glove or sock over the ends and clean the roof from both sides using telescopic brush lots of soapy car wash stuff and a hosepipe to rinse.
I used to get oh the roof but prefer not to now.
 
Jamesh said:
How did you get your misses up there?

Put her in the seesaw and you get on the other end?!

Cheers James
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That was my preferred way up.....
But just good old ladders in the van and thru the skylight.... and loads of compliments of how much weight she has lost 🙄😳👍
 
PJGWiltshire said:
I would have gone out for a blast on the road but I SORN ed the van last October. Thanks for the heads up. Just working out 75KG I think I am a tad bit more than that, so I shall have to find a small person
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You could stick the wife up there, I’m sure she’d be more than willing to help. Lol.
 
TheBig1 said:
the 75kg load limit is great in principle for solid areas of the roof. Where ever there is a cut out section, like round roof lights, way less. By all means go up there to clean it, but spread the load with a board and stick to the edge where it is supported by the outside walls. I find kneeling about a foot in from the edge I can easily reach more than half way across the roof. Just move along both sides and it is soon done.

If you do stand near a skylight, I doubt you would notice a problem straight away, but it can stretch the sealant and result in leaks or cracks at the corner of the cut out area.
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I have always thought this regarding standing near Hekis and roof lights as you say when you stand too close to them the sealant stretches or even cracks, and shortly after you find you’ve got water ingress around it.
 
Googlebot said:
Please, use a long handled brush.

You only have to slip or trip to fall fatally. The motorhome roof is a long way up, slippery and full of obstructions. If you were at work, it would firmly fall under the working at height regulations and would require fall arrest or work restraint to work on.

I say this knowing I have done the odd trip up there if I absolutely have had to, but reducing the risk by using a brush is the best plan.

I have seen far too many people come to harm from falling, I would always use an alternative to being up on the roof if possible.
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Good advice mate, I met a Motorhomer in Fuengirola 3years ago and he fell off the roof of his coach built Motorhome onto tarmac, If I remember he landed on his feet/foot and broke numerous Bones in his foot and ankle, 3 months later he was still parked up on the market ground there as he still couldn’t drive and was still back and for the hospital for treatments etc. I don’t feel to happy being on the roof these days trying to tiptoe between solar panels satellite dish and roof lights, so I tend to take my chances on a telescopic ladder, not so far to fall.

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fat haggis said:
I’m over 21 stone and I’ll happily do a highland jig on my Hymer roof 🤪😷👍
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I remember one Motorhomer in Morocco with a big Hymer on Atlantica Park site, they used to wash Motorhomes inclcuding up on the roof, but unfortunately the guy washing the the roof with a pressure washer (Argh!) stumbled backwards and put his foot straight through the large hemisphere type roof light, turned out to be an expensive Motorhome wash, rather do it myself as I don’t like a pressure washer used on it , does do the sealants and decals any good if you too enthusiastic.
 
Did my roof today using ladder from both sides with gloves on end for protection. Also used in addition to a telescopic cleaning brush a long brush/duster (see photo) which was perfect for cleaning around vents and under solar panels while working from ladder.
I found one cable entry to solar panel loose so cleaned and re sealed although when fitted cable through roof hole was sealed when fitted so no risk of leak.
80AEE597-6C2E-4FB0-83A8-63BA93EA1C87.jpeg
CAC53531-0338-4575-B696-0DB94DE05576.png
 
In 2015 I bought anew Autotrail scout, I rang Autotrail to ask if I could get on the roof and was advised by the technical department,DO NOT WALK ON THE ROOF
 
Also did my roof today/yesterday, probably the first time its been done properly if at all in its 18 years of life. Had to get on the roof on hands and knees to get rid of the many thousands of small black lumps of hard mold and moss but clean water and a credit card soon made light work of them.
DA polisher to cut and polish and then a final wax, hopefully should be OK for another season, just got to find the energy for the rest of it now 🙄.
I find it a lot safer on my hands and knees and it also spreads the weight a bit, but as others have said, stay away from joins and rooflights, better still use a ladder and long reach tools. 👍
20210329_171819_resized.jpg

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