When was the last time you had your roof cleaned? If you can’t remember, it’s about time to do it.

Roofing systems are designed to withstand extreme heat, rain, strong winds, and other harsh environmental elements. However, roofs accumulate dirt, dust, and debris as time goes by, requiring cleaning. Residential roof cleaning is ideal for houses, including single-attached homes and townhouses.

This article on roofing will explain the crucial things homeowners need to know about residential roof cleaning, including its benefits, how it should be done, and some essential tips.

Benefits Of Residential Roof Cleaning

Residential roof cleaning involves professional cleaning, such as those offering pressure washing services in Austin, TX. Experts primarily use pressure washers to reach all spaces and corners to remove unwanted materials that make the roof look dirty and damaged. Yet why is regular residential roof cleaning a must?

Check out the following benefits of residential roof cleaning:

  • Preserves Your Roof’s Life Span

Regular residential roof cleaning helps preserve a roof’s life span. It eliminates stubborn grime, algae, moss, soot, and grit to restore the color of shingles and tiles.

  • Protects Interior Damage

Roof damage usually starts with dirty tiles, shingles, or gutter due to water pooling and clogs. Eventually, a roofing system sustains cracks, holes, or missing shingles, making a home’s interior vulnerable to damage. Rainwater and moisture enter and cause mold growth and spread, rotting and damaging ceilings and walls beneath. The sun’s direct heat may also damage insulation, dry walls, and other exposed interior structures but you have nothing to worry if you require residential Roofing Contractor in East Hartford, CT

  • Boosts Your Property’s Overall Value

Removing all dried leaves, bird droppings, dirt, and grime in the roofing system must be a part of regular exterior maintenance to maintain or increase a property’s value. Residential roof cleaning can make a home’s exterior more presentable to interested buyers once it is up for sale.

  • Saves Money

Regular residential roof cleaning prevents unexpected repairs and replacements, saving you money from buying new materials and hiring specialists.

How Residential Roof Cleaning Should Be Done

There are two ways to clean a roof, including soft washing and pressure washing. Pressure washing utilizes highly pressurized water to get rid of dirt, grime, stains, moss, and debris. Hiring a professional is highly recommended because pressure washing comes with safety risks. Meanwhile, soft washing uses chemicals to clean shingles and other delicate roofing materials.

Here’s how you can do a do-it-yourself (DIY) residential roofing cleaning:

  • Prepare Everything You Need

Before cleaning your roof, ensure you have all safety gear and equipment ready. Wear thick gloves and a climbing helmet, and prepare a sturdy ladder. If you’re going for a DIY roof cleaning, you can use a water sprayer attached to a garden hose filled with equal amounts of water and chlorine bleach.

  • Remove Dirt and Debris

Start cleaning your roof by removing dirt and debris from gutters, valleys, snow guards, and chimneys. Wear a pair of rubber gloves to get rid of debris in areas you can reach, and use a rake for those you can’t. Trim away branches from your roof.

  • Clean One Roof Section At A Time

Cleaning the roof in sections can make the task a lot easier. You can do this by dividing the roof into smaller areas. Then, concentrate on cleaning each area one at a time. In that way, you can clean each section and allow it to dry well.

Residential Roofing Cleaning Tips

Take a look at some essential tips to remember during residential roof cleaning:

  • Best Time To Clean Your Roof

You should have a residential roof cleaning within the first five years upon installation and every two years afterward. Additionally, don’t overlook the importance of a professional annual roof inspection in preserving the life of your roof.

  • Clean Asphalt Shingles Properly

Never pressure wash asphalt shingles because high water pressure can severely damage the roof. Moreover, remember that an asphalt roof is close to the end of its life span if the gutter shows asphalt granules.

  • Clean Tiles Properly

Don’t walk on tile roofs because tiles crack easily. Using plywood with a foam underside is advisable when walking on tiles to help reduce the pressure.

  • Clean Wood Shingles And Shakes Properly

Don’t use ammonia or bleach when cleaning wood shingles and shakes. These cleaning products may result in discoloration. Remove lichen or moss on your wood roof, too.

Conclusion

Every residential roofing system deserves a clean-up to look new and optimally functional. If you’re not up for a DIY roof cleaning, hiring a pressure washing company is advisable to attain this goal. This way, you can save time and effort and ensure having a roofing system in its pristine condition.