Professional Roof Cleaning
Roof cleaning is a part of home maintenance and may be the most important part of roof maintenance. Keeping your roof clean prevents decay, which could lead to expensive repairs or even a complete replacement of your roofing. Roof cleaning will extend the life of your roof and help the roof stay more functional for a longer period of time.
There are some things about roof cleaning that you should know before you hire a contractor or start on the process yourself:
DIY Roof Cleaning
DIY roof cleaning certainly exists, and with the proper methods, tools, and cleaning products, an able homeowner can do an adequate job. But before you decide that this is your preferred method, make sure you look at all the facts. Proper cleaning chemicals are required to effectively clean and maintain your roof. Should you decide to tackle the job yourself, you need to be sure you are purchasing the proper chemicals for the job. Likewise, roof cleaning can be very dangerous. Aside from being on the roof, algae and moss can cause slippery surfaces which could lead to serious falls and injury. For this reason, if no other, we highly suggest leaving roof cleaning to the pros.
Roof Algae is More Than an Eye Sore
Algae is a living thing, and it’s feeding off your shingles. If it’s not taken care of, it will take years off the life of your roofing. If your roof isn’t cleaned regularly, especially if the algae is visibly noticeable, it can lead to rapid deterioration of your shingles, which has a few effects:
Since your shingles help block UV rays, you’ll drop in your home’s energy efficiency and steep rise in your heating and cooling bills.
You’ll have to replace your roofing much sooner than you should need to, and that can cost upwards of $10,000.
Roof Cleaning is Inexpensive
On the contrary, roofing contractors typically charge a fair price, especially considering the cost of roof replacement. Roof cleaning typically runs about $200-800, depending on the size of your roof, the amount of cleaning that is required and how often your roof has been cleaned in the past. Considering the importance of the service, plus the amount you’ll end up spending without it, it’s well worth the cost of hiring a professional roof cleaning company if you choose not to do it on your own.
Algae Is Not Always Visible: You May Still Need a Cleaning
In its earliest stages of development, algae is completely invisible. So even if your roof appears to be okay, there’s a chance that the best time to have it cleaned is now. This is one of the reasons that professional roofers recommend you have a roof inspection around once every three years–the earlier you’re able to catch the problem, the better it is for your roofing.
Many homeowners may decide to spot clean their roof, but algae could be affecting your entire roof even if it’s only visible in spots. It’s always a good idea to take preventative measures, and to have a cleaning be as thorough as possible when it is done.
Methods of Cleaning a Roof
The two main methods for roof cleaning are:
Pressure Washing – in which highly pressurized water is sprayed on the roof to remove any mold, algae, dirt, or grime, and
Chemical Cleaning – sometimes called Soft Washing, in which chemicals are the main thing that are removing those harmful things from your roof.
Each of these methods has their strengths and their own shortcomings. Pressure washing is very effective but may be best for metal or concrete roofs. There is a chance that the pressurized water could damage your shingles.
Of course, some chemicals can harm your roof as well, and the runoff could cause problems with your landscape or parts of your home. But if the contractor knows what they’re working with, they should be able to find the right balance of effectiveness without harming any parts of your property.
If you need your roof or gutters cleaned properly and naturally, make sure you give HER Roofing a call. We have the industry experience and knowledge needed to make sure you get the best cleaning services around. There are plenty of companies that provide a short cut by power washing materials not meant for that type of pressure. Call HER Roofing for a thorough roof and cleaning done the right way.