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How Roof Cleaning Can Extend the Lifespan of Your Home
A dirty roof can diminish a home’s curb appeal and reduce its resale value. Regular roof cleaning can help preserve a roof’s lifespan by eliminating the growth of algae, mildew, lichen, and moss.
Soft washing uses low water pressure and eco-friendly cleaning solutions to remove stains, growths, and streaks without damaging the roofing materials. This method is safe for wood, aluminum, and tile roofing materials. Click here for more info.
Debris Disposal
Debris on a roof can cause serious damage, such as leaks and degraded shingles. Regular debris removal can extend the life of a roof by years.
This involves blowing leaves, dirt, and other organic matter off the roof using a leaf blower or broom. This is quick, economical, and cosmetically makes the roof look better. However, it doesn’t remove moss or algae or kill it at the spore level and it can return.
This is a powerful method of washing a roof, involving the use of water at high pressure. While it’s effective for removing large debris, it can also be damaging to a roof and may even void the warranty. A professional cleaning company will use a low-pressure washing process that uses a detergent or nontoxic cleaner to target stains and is safe for most roofing materials. It is more time-consuming than power washing but it is safer and more environmentally friendly. It is also suitable for metal roofs.
Algae Removal
Algae stains are not only unsightly, they can damage the structure of your roof and cause serious problems with your home. Removing the algae will allow your shingles to last longer and prevent any potential structural issues.
Often the best solution for removing heavy moss and algae buildup on shingle roofs is to use a mixture of bleach and water. Then, rinse the solution off using a hose. It’s also a good idea to scrub the affected area with a brush before rinsing.
According to Today’s Homeowner, chlorine bleach can help remove black algae from a roof by killing the spores. However, repeated applications of harsh chemicals or the abrasive force of pressure washing can harm and shorten the lifespan of your shingles. For this reason, we recommend hiring a professional to clean your roof. A professional will be able to provide a soft-wash roof treatment, which uses mild cleaners and low-pressure spraying. They can also advise you on how to maintain your roof after cleaning to avoid future algae buildup.
Detergent Application
A common method of roof cleaning involves using a blower to remove debris. It’s effective at removing dead moss and mildew, but it doesn’t do much for stains.
Another option is a high-pressure washing method. This uses water that’s been pressurized to over 1,000 psi to kill moss and other organic material. However, it can be damaging to the roof and can void your warranty.
Soft washing is a gentler option that uses low-pressure washing to clean the moss and stains. This process is done with detergents that are made of acids, surfactants, and bleach. One example of a detergent used in this process is sodium hypochlorite, which is a bleach that breaks down fungus and algae. This chemical is safe to use on most roof materials and won’t damage the shingles or tile. It’s also biodegradable. Once the detergent is applied, technicians will bag any plants that may be impacted by the run-off and rinse the roof.
Water Rinsing
The roof of your home is the first line of defense against heat, rain, snow, and ice. It is vital to keep your roof clean so that it can perform its job well for many years.
Cleaning the roof helps to eliminate mold, mildew, and algae growth. These organisms can cause damage to shingles and lead to the need for early replacement. A dirty roof can also harbor allergens that affect the air quality and health of those inside your home.
Using a soft wash process, the biodegradable cleaning solution penetrates into all the crevices of your shingle roofing system and dissolves built-up residue. Then, rinsed away with low water pressure, resulting in minimal runoff. For best results, multiple rinse tanks should be used to minimize water usage. The rinse tanks should be drained and refilled often to ensure the quality of the rinse. A conductivity controller can help to control the level of dissolved salts in the rinse water, which can affect the effectiveness and quality of the final rinse. Continue reading the next article.