Keeping a Clean Slate: The Importance of Roof Cleaning for Home Maintenance

Keeping a clean slate is essential to maintain a house in good condition, but it's not necessarily an effortless task. We always recommend hiring professionals for roof cleaning. Working at heights on uneven surfaces is risky and difficult and roof cleaning is a job best left to the professionals.

What are the benefits of roof cleaning

The benefits of roof cleaning are numerous and the most significant are:

Preservation of roofing materials

The buildup of dirt, debris, algae, moss, and mould will damage the roofing materials in time. Regular cleaning reduces the risk of deterioration and expands the roof's lifespan. A clean roof won't need repair work or replacement any time soon.

Prevents damage

Moss, algae, and other organic growth can trap moisture which causes rot and decay of roofing materials. The structural integrity of the roof will decrease and the risk of leaks and water damage inside the house will increase. Roof cleaning prevents damage and maintains the roof's integrity.

Improve energy efficiency

A clean roof will reflect more sunlight and heat away from the house. Therefore, it will lower heat absorption and lower cooling spending during hot months. The comfort inside will improve and there will be energy savings.

Avoid health hazards

Debris and organic growth buildup on the roof can help allergens, bacteria, and mould spores flourish. They all pose health risks to people inside the house. Regular roof cleaning eliminates such health hazards and the inside environment stays healthy for everyone.

Improve curb appeal

A clean roof improves the entire look of a house, and its curb appeal and it even increases the resale value. When the roof is in good condition, guests and possible buyers will make a positive first impression of a property.

Prevention of pest infestation

Debris and organic growth on the roof will attract pests such as rodents, insects, and birds. The pests will cause several maintenance problems. Regular roof cleaning reduces the risk of pest infestation and preserves the integrity of the roof.

Insurance aspects

Some insurance policies require homeowners to keep the roof in good condition as part of the coverage terms. Skipping roof cleaning might cause coverage limitations or denial of claims connected to roof damage.

Compliance with warranty requirements

Many roofing warranties request regular maintenance and cleaning of the roof to stay valid. If you fail to keep the roof clean as per warranty specifications, you risk voiding the warranty. You might have to pay for repairs or replacements.

What are the most common roof-cleaning techniques

The most common roof-cleaning techniques are:

Manual cleaning

With manual cleaning, you will physically remove debris, twigs, leaves, and other loose materials from the roof's surface. You can do it with a brush, broom, or leaf blower. Manual cleaning is typically the first step for roof cleaning. It can prepare the surface for in-detail cleaning later on.

Pros

• You can clean targeted specific areas such as stains or debris buildup
• Reduces the risk of damage to delicate roofing materials
• It's environmentally friendly as it doesn't involve chemical or harsh cleaners

Cons

• It's time-consuming and physically demanding, especially if the roof is big
• Its efficiency is limited as it cannot remove difficult stains or extensive biological growth
• Working on a roof is risky especially when manually scrubbing surfaces.

Pressure washing

Pressure washing uses a high-pressure water spray to eliminate stains, dirt, moss, algae, and other contaminants from the roof. Pressure washing removes difficult stains and organic growth. Professionals know how to adjust the settings to clean the roof without damaging it. Concrete tile, metal, and asphalt shingle roofs can be cleaned with pressure washing. Pressure washing isn’t adequate to clean more delicate roofing materials such as wood shakes.

Pros

• It's highly efficient as the powerful jets of water remove difficult stains, dirt, and debris
• It's adequate for large roof areas and saves time
• It's versatile and appropriate for various roofing materials, such as concrete, asphalt, and metal

Cons

• High-pressure water jets can cause dislodgement of shingles, erosion, and water intrusion when used improperly
• It requires adequate professional training and safety equipment to avoid injuries
• Runoff containing chemicals, detergents, or debris may harm soil, plants, or water sources.

Chemical treatments

Chemical treatments consist of applying specialized cleaning solutions or biocides to the roof to kill moss, mould, algae, and organic growth. A pump sprayer or a backpack sprayer will be used to apply the solutions. The solutions will penetrate the surface for a specific amount of time.

Chemical treatments remove and reduce the risk of organic growth. Professionals know how to use chemical treatments without damaging the roof or surrounding vegetation.

Pros

• Chemical solutions efficiently dissolve algae, stains, and contaminants without high-pressure water
• Some treatments have additives that block future growth of algae, moss, and mildew
• Chemical treatments don’t require much scrubbing or rinsing. Chemical treatments happen rather quickly with minimal effort.

Cons

• Some chemicals may be harmful to plants, animals, or water sources. They have to be applied and disposed of correctly.
• Exposure to chemical cleaners poses risks to human health. Adequate protective gear and precautions are much needed during chemical treatments.
• Incorrect use or over-application of chemicals may cause corrosion, discolouration, or degradation of roofing materials.

Soft washing

Soft washing is gentler than pressure washing. The method uses low-pressure water and specialized cleaning solutions to remove stains, dirt, and organic growth from the roof's surface. Soft washing is adequate for delicate roofing materials such as slate and wood shakes. The risk of causing damage to the roof is lower than with pressure washing.

Pros

• It's a gentle method that uses low-pressure water and eco-friendly cleaning solutions. Soft washing doesn't damage the roofing materials
• It's effective for organic growth and removes moss, algae, lichen, and mildew without damaging the roof.
• It reduces the risk of regrowth of biological organisms when combined with adequate treatments.

Cons

• It requires specialized equipment and costs
• It's not effective to remove difficult stains or mineral deposits
• To avoid environmental contamination or health risks, it's necessary to cautiously handle the cleaning solutions.

Professional roof cleaning services

Professional roof cleaning services provide a comprehensive approach to roof cleaning. The professionals use a combination of cleaning methods according to the specific needs, conditions, and materials of the roof.

Professional roof cleaners carry the expertise, knowledge, and set of skills to efficiently clean all kinds of roofs. They use commercial-grade equipment and follow safety protocols to clean roofs without causing damage. Professionals combine pressure washing, soft washing, and chemical treatments to obtain outstanding results with roof cleaning.

Pros

• Professionals are knowledgeable and use specialized equipment
• They take safety measures to lower the risk of injuries and accidents
• It's saving and you can focus on other tasks while professionals clean your roof
• They use commercial-grade cleaning solutions and methods and obtain excellent cleaning results
• They perform maintenance work to expand the durability of the roof

Cons

• It might be expensive to hire professionals
• You need to book professional servicing and coordinate with the professionals
• You have to choose a good company

How often should you clean your roof

You should clean your roof after considering some crucial aspects. Roof type, climate, and environmental conditions are the most important factors to weigh in.

Here are our tips when you conceive a roof cleaning schedule:

Know your roof type

Various roofing materials will require specific maintenance schedules and cleaning methods. Here are some guidelines based on the most common roof types:

• Asphalt shingles—consider cleaning once or twice a year a roof made of asphalt shingles.
• Tile or slate—tile or slate roofs need less frequent cleaning. Typically, they require cleaning only 2-3 years, according to the level of buildup and environmental factors.
• Metal roofing—metal roofs are rather low-maintenance. They need regular cleaning to remove debris and prevent corrosion. The environmental conditions and the presence of organic growth will affect the cleaning frequency.
• Wood shakes or shingles—wood roofs are prone to algae, moss, and rot and require more frequent cleaning. They need cleaning every 1-2 years.

Climate and weather patterns

You also have to consider the climate and weather patterns in your area when establishing the frequency of roof cleaning. Heavy rainfall, humidity, temperature changes, and exposure to sunlight will influence the rate of debris building up and organic growth.

• Regions with high humidity or frequent rainfall—roofs are prone to algae, moss, and mildew. They need more frequent cleaning to stay in good condition.
• Areas with many trees—roofs have more debris due to falling leaves, branches, and sap. To avoid clogged gutters and roof damage, the roofs need cleaning frequently.
• Extreme weather such as storms, hurricanes, or heavy winds—cause debris buildup and damage to roofs. Warranting inspection and cleaning will be necessary after extreme weather.

Environmental conditions

Analyse environmental factors such as closeness to bodies of water, surrounding vegetation, and air quality when deciding the roof cleaning schedule.

• Trees and vegetation near the roof will drop leaves, seeds, twigs, and sap onto the roof. Debris will accumulate and damage the roof. Trim overhanging branches and regularly inspect nearby trees to reduce debris buildup.
• Roofs in coastal or waterfront areas are exposed to salt spray, moisture, and wind-driven debris. Such roofs need frequent cleaning and maintenance to avoid damage and corrosion.
• Roofs in areas with poor air quality and industrial pollution may degrade long before their time. They require frequent cleaning to avoid staining, discolouration, and damage.

Regularly monitor your roof's condition

Run regular visual inspection of your roof to determine its condition and detect signs of damage in its early stages. See if there are signs of moss, mildew, algae, lichen, stains, missing shingles, or cracks. Damaged gutters, flashing, and vents may also indicate that the roof needs cleaning or maintenance work.

We recommend you schedule an annual professional roof inspection or as often as a roofing contractor has recommended. Keep a record of the roof maintenance activities, cleaning dates, repairs, and inspections. It is a useful tool to track the roof's condition in time.