Roof Cleaning Is Not a Do It Yourself Job!

Regular roof cleaning preserves the life of a roof's shingles and tiles, removing damaging algae, grit, grime, lichen, moss, and soot, and restoring the color of the roof as well. Roof washing is especially vital for homes in shaded areas.

To ensure you are doing everything possible to protect your home's appearance and condition, as well as some general but vital information about power washing your home's exterior overall. Be sure to discuss this information with Professionals, so you know how to best care for your house and all the exterior surfaces of your property.

Never assume you can rent a pressure washer and manage roof washing on your own. There are many reasons why properly cleaning a home's roof is not a Do It Yourself Job; note a few of those reasons here.

Trying to manage a powerful pressure washer while standing on a sloped and slick surface is very difficult, and virtually impossible for those not experienced in roofing.

Spraying roofing tiles from below can loosen their nails and staples. Those shingles might then be more likely to come loose in high winds and strong storms!

A proper and through roof washing takes some skill and expertise, to reach dirt and debris hidden between the cracks and crevices of roofing shingles, or disguised by the dark color of those tiles. A pressure washing specialist will know how to clean around chimneys, vents, flashing, and other such features of a roof, thoroughly but without damaging those areas.

Using too much pressure when washing a roof can loosen the granules on shingles, causing those tiles to become thin and brittle. You can even loosen old and loose shingles or blow shingles right off a roof with too much pressure from a power washer!

A power washing specialist will know the right detergent or surfactant to use on a roof, to dissolve dirt and grime without drying out the shingles and causing damage.

For all these reasons, it's best to leave roof washing to a professional exterior house cleaning company or someone experienced in roof washing and cleaning.

A soft wash cleaning begins with the application of particular surfactants or detergents. These cleansers seep into the pits and pores of a home's roof, working their way along the undersides of roofing tiles and shingles as well as around flashing and other roof materials. Soft wash cleansers are gentle but strong, working to dissolve thick grit, grime, dust, dirt, mud, soot, and other such residues.

Soft wash systems use low-pressure rinsing to remove dirt. This pressure is typically just slightly stronger than the force created by a garden hose with a spray nozzle. Low-pressure rinsing won't loosen or cause damage to old, brittle roofing tiles, and won't wash away damaged granules along their surfaces. A pressure washing specialist can note if a soft wash cleaning is recommended for your roof, depending on its age and amount of dirt that needs cleaning.

How moss and algae damages your roof.

Moss and algae are especially damaging to a roof surface. These contaminants hold extra moisture against roof shingles and roof paper; this added moisture causes shingles to get soft and crumbly and can cause roofing paper to tear, leading to water leaks.

Unlike other debris on a home's roof, moss, algae, mold, and mildew continue to grow over time! These contaminants can work their way under a

home's roofing shingles and eventually dislodge those tiles as they continue to spread. Never assume that you can ignore moss, algae, and other such growth on your roof, as overlooking needed washing can lead to a damaged roof and dangerous interior water leaks.

Never Wait Until Algae and Other Debris Are Visible to Do Something.

A homeowner should never wait until they see lines of algae or moss along roofing shingles or roof edges to schedule power washing for their home. Note why that is, and when you should have your home’s roof washed:

Algae, moss, mold, and mildew grow best in damp, dark spaces, away from air and sunlight. For a roof, these spaces are typically under and around roofing tiles and shingles, in areas unseen from below or during casual visual inspection.

Consistent washing of a roof will remove wet leaves, twigs, seeds, and other debris that can cause algae, mold, and other contaminants to grow in the first place! Regular power washing can then prevent damage to the roof and ensure it always looks its best.

Washing a roof after a particularly stormy time of the year will remove all storm residue and debris that can lead to mold, moss, and other buildups.

Investment in Your Home

Regular, roof power washing will restore the overall appearance of your home's roof, removing built-up soot, grime, lichen, dust, and other debris, as well as various stains and areas of discoloration. Roofing shingles and tiles will then look fresh and vibrant so that your entire home seems cleaner and newer.

A soft wash system will also remove algae, mold, moss, and mildew that is typically unreachable with a standard hose or pressure washer. The detergents and surfactants used during a soft pressure washing are meant to penetrate all nooks and crannies of a roof, dissolving dirt and debris trapped under shingles and around roof eaves. Low-pressure rinsing won't strip away loose tiles or granules on the shingles themselves, while still protecting those tiles from damaging storm residues.