Water blasting old clear-lite roof panels

Hi, we water blasted the dirt off of our old clear-lite the other day and it degraded the surface, throwing lots of clumps of fibre off. Does anyone know if that stuff is a hazard?

Sounds like it might be the old fibreglass. you're lucky if it doesn't also have a lot of holes in it now.
Usually you can't waterblast it when it's old.

In any case, if it is fibreglass it's not hazardous unless you eat it or rub it into your skin. But it would be a good idea to clean up any that's lying around on the ground. Wouldn't want to be walking around on it in bare feet or having animals walking through it - or have it get into your carpet.

It contains no asbestos. Replace it with the new version which has a gelcoat over the top. Way better than the old stuff and the surface lasts and lasts. I put on some of their trafficable version recently. Amazing stuff, you can walk anywhere on it.

Sounds like you've got yourself into a bit of a predicament with your clear-lite roof panels. Don't worry though, I might be able to help you out.

It's not uncommon for water blasting to cause degradation on old clear-lite roof panels. The high-pressure water can be quite abrasive and cause damage to the surface of the panels. Unfortunately, when the panels degrade, they can release clumps of fibre that can be a hazard.

Now, when you say hazard, it really depends on what you mean. The clumps of fibre that have come off your roof panels are most likely made of fiberglass, which is generally not harmful unless it is inhaled. If you were up on the roof while water blasting and inhaled the fibers, then it could be a concern for your respiratory system. But if you were down on the ground, then the likelihood of inhalation is quite low.

If you do find yourself in a situation where you have inhaled fiberglass fibers, it's important to seek medical attention. The fibers can irritate the respiratory system and cause discomfort or even pain. It's best to err on the side of caution and get checked out.

Now, as for your clear-lite roof panels, if they have been degraded, then it might be time to consider replacing them. If you're not up for the task, there are professionals who can do it for you. You could also consider applying a clear coat or sealant to the panels to help prevent further degradation.

When it comes to water blasting, it's always a good idea to test a small area first before committing to blasting the whole surface. This will help you avoid any unforeseen damage and potential hazards.

I hope this information helps you out, and good luck with your clear-lite roof panels!

The best way to clean the old fibreglass clearlite is with the "Spray and Walk Away" type of application. It makes a hell of a mess with waterblaster as I've found out in the past.

If the surface is gone as it is on most dirty old topglass moss spraying doesn’t get it very clean. The gel coat will clean up well but the old rough stuff is normally best replaced

Of course it won't be perfect but if you don't want to replace the old clearlite the spray will kill the moss and moulds that are discolouring it. Did for me anyway.

Just the heading, involving a water blaster, sounds like a recipe for disaster.

I have always washed mine down with a brush and soapy water, then rinsed. I try to keep it clean/clear most of the time like clearing leaves/flower petals off it as sometimes these can leave stains. i use a softish brush to do this sweeping.