COLORSTEEL® products are made to protect - designed, tested and approved to withstand the unique and often harsh New Zealand environmental conditions. COLORSTEEL® is durable and low maintenance but all roofing and cladding products are subject to the cumulative effects of weather, dust and other deposits. Caring for your COLORSTEEL® is an important part of keeping your COLORSTEEL® warranty valid. Normal rain washing, plays a big role in keeping your COLORSTEEL® looking great, but there are some places rain can't reach. Here are a few tips to build into your maintenance routine. If you're looking for specific maintenance requirements for a particular COLORSTEEL® product, please view the warranty and maintenance information.

The Limits of Rain

Rain plays an important role in keeping your COLORSTEEL® products in good condition, but there are some places where it can’t reach.

  • Soffits
  • Wall cladding under eaves
  • Underside of gutters
  • Fascias
  • Sheltered areas of garage doors and unwashed roof areas
  • Around flues
  • Under television aerials
  • Sites prone to mould, lichen, bird droppings or debris.

In these instances, you will need to clean these areas yourself, to ensure debris doesn’t build up. Cleaning your COLORSTEEL® product manually will increase the steel’s longevity, as it reduces attacks from salt and other pollutants in the air. 

Roof wash to clean COLORSTEEL®

You do not need any type of roof wash or special cleaning solution to keep your COLORSTEEL® looking great. Normal rain does the perfect job as a natural roof wash, playing a big role in keeping your COLORSTEEL® clean, but there are some places rain can't reach. For these places, outlined in detail above, simply use a sponge or soft nylon-bristled brush or alternatively use a water blaster at pressures of not more than 20MPa. If you did want to use a roof wash product, simply washing the surface with standard household detergent will do the trick.  

Keep an Eye on Garden Debris

If you have a garden, leaves, twigs, dust and dirt can get blown up onto your roof. You’ll need to manually remove anything left over to ensure no damage is caused. Remove any build up with a soft bristled brush at least every three months.

Gutters particularly, can become easily clogged by leaves, twigs and other debris. This can cause a number of problems around your home such as a leaky roof, and mould and mildew. Clear your gutters every three months to ensure they function correctly.

Branches and foliage that come into contact with your house can do significant damage to your roofing or cladding. Prune back any potentially damaging plants every three months.

It is not recommended to use touch-up paint

Catching Issues Early

Although regular roof maintenance will significantly reduce the chances of damage, conditions on your property can change. Examine your roof at least twice a year, this will allow you to respond to any issues before they become more serious.

Inside your home and ceiling cavity look out for:

  • Places where the ceiling is sagging
  • Signs of water damage or leaking
  • Dark spots that might indicate mould
  • Outside light peeking through

Outside of your home look out for:

  • Fastenings that appear loose
  • Roof attachments that appear loose e.g. satellite dish, solar heating unit or conventional television aerials
  • Clogged or loose gutters and downpipes

If you notice any of these issues, contact your local roofer.

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