Why Clean Your Roof
Although moss and algae don’t pose as much of a threat to roofs in Colorado due to its dry and arid climate, we do face harsh weather elements year round from hail storms in the summer to powerful snow storms in the winter and harsh winds year round. Depending on the type of roof you have, your roof’s lifespan can be affected by the sun, rain, dust and dirt, pollen, bird waste, and other types of debris like leaves or sticks. Taking a proactive approach to maintaining your roof, having it cleaned, and investing in other preventative maintenance, even if just once or twice a year, can help contribute to a longer lifespan and is certainly cheaper than replacing your entire roofing system.
How To Clean A Roof
When it comes to cleaning your roof, it’s something best left to the professionals. Most roofing systems are sensitive to pressure and can be easily damaged if not cleaned properly. Furthermore, roofing professionals will have the proper safety gear to inspect and clean your roof, while you can stay safely and firmly planted on the ground! However, it is beneficial to know how your roof should be cleaned so you can make sure you are asking the right questions to properly vet the professionals and make sure you end up with the right expert for your roof!
How To Clean Roof Shingles.
Again, it’s always best to let the professionals handle your roof’s cleaning. They will be more knowledgeable about how to clean your roofing system and it’s also safer! However, here are a few questions you should ask when vetting the professionals:
- How will you clean my roof and what type of solution will you use?
Tip: If they say at any point they will use a pressure washer, immediately cross them off your list! Pressure washers can loosen shingles and seriously damage your roof. Look for someone who uses a soft pressure washer. Chlorine bleach is a common solution used to clean asphalt roofs as well.
- What will you do to protect my landscaping?
Tip: You want to look for a professional that will tarp your surrounding landscaping (and driveway) to protect them from the potentially harmful chemicals they will use to clean your roof. They should also hose off any grass or other landscaping after removing the tarps when the job is done.
- What can I expect from my roof after it’s been cleaned?
Tip: A true professional will give you an honest answer. Will your roof look brand new? While it will probably have a significantly improved curb appeal, depending on the age of your roof it most likely won’t look brand new. If they are a roofing expert they may also be able to point out any damage or wear and tear they noticed while they were cleaning your roof and make recommendations as to whether your roof may need to be repaired or replaced. Be wary of contractors who are simply trying to take your money though.
How To Clean A Metal Roof.
If you have a metal roof, the cleaning process may look a little different than if you have asphalt shingles. It’s important to regularly clean your metal roof as this will extend the lifespan, improve its appearance, and rid your roof of any debris including pollen, water stains, spore deposits, acid or rust stains, dirt and dust, leaves and sticks, or other debris.
Metal roofs can be more susceptible to certain weather elements like acid rain and pollution particles that can cause degradation of the roofing system and its paint. One of the biggest indicators that your metal roof is degrading and may need to be cleaned is if you start to notice chalking.
Chalking is when a whitish residue starts to become visible on a painted or coated metal surface over time. This is caused when the paint system is exposed to sunlight and UV rays and overtime begins to break down. Continued exposure to the sun, oxygen and other pollutants causes the paint to lose its adhesion to the surface and the degraded particles begin to turn white.
Most roof warranties do not cover chalking if pollutants are present, so it’s important to have your roof inspected and cleaned regularly. For more information on why roof inspections are important and what to expect, click here.
How Long Does It Take To Clean A Roof?
For most residential roofs, you can expect your roof cleaning to take anywhere between two to five hours. This should include your landscaping, lawn, and driveway being tarped to protect them from any harmful chemicals, the process of washing your roof, and the removal of the tarps, and your landscaping, lawn, and driveway being rinsed off where any chemicals could have slipped through the tarps.
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