Benefits and Methods of Cleaning Your Roof

If you are like many people, you don’t start thinking about your roof until it begins to approach the end of it’s life cycle. That’s when homeowners need to start worrying about repairing or even replacing their leaky roof – right?

The answer may surprise you. Even if you have a newer roof, there are things that you can do today to save thousands of dollars in repairs down the road.

A roof is a major investment, and you should strive to keep it beautiful and healthy for as long as possible. One of the secrets of roof longevity is simply cleaning your roof.

Benefits of Cleaning Your Roof

We want to be good neighbors, and we want people in our community to know we appreciate how proper home maintenance can affect the overall value not only of our home – but of the home’s surrounding us. While that may be reason enough to keep our roof clean, there are also significant ways that cleaning your roof can help to protect your investment.

1. Get Rid of Black Streaks: Those ugly black streaks can begin affecting even a new roof fairly quickly. The cause of the streaks is generally algae (although it can be dirt and debris). Aside from aesthetics, those black streaks can begin to erode the tiles underneath, and even provide a most likely breeding ground for mold.
   
   Did You Know? In harsh South Florida heat, dark surfaces on your roof can actually begin to influence how efficiently your home cools.

   Therefore, cleaning your roof may actually help you to save a few dollars on your power bill!

2. Remove Harmful Mold and Moss Growth: Speaking of mold, even a clean looking roof can have mold problems. In our wet, humid climate, moss and mold often grow under shingles, in crevices and along skylight and chimney openings. If mold intrudes into the home, it can cause health problems.

   At a minimum, the moss and mold can begin to erode and eat away at roofing materials if not removed regularly.

3. Keep Your Getters Clean and Clog Free: Cleaning your roof is not only about scrubbing the surface of the materials, but allows you to remove debris, leaves and twigs which might otherwise end up in your gutters. Clogged gutters can sag and separate form the roof, and if water cannot flow freely you are likely to have leak issues in the near future.
4. Extend Your Roof’s Life: A single tile or shingle may not be expensive, but continually replacing them due to damage and erosion can begin to add up. Not only that, but as your roofing materials erode, it is more likely that you will experience a roof leak – which can cause interior damage, warped framing and eaves, or worse. By cleaning your roof on a regular basis, you minimize the opportunity for your tiles and shingles to erode before their time – giving you a longer lasting roof and more peace of mind.

   Finally, it is important to note that a manufacturer may void your shingle warranty if they can determine that the shingles were not properly maintained and cared for.

Methods for Cleaning Your Roof

It is important to note that climbing up on your roof may be a dangerous prospect. If you do not feel comfortable, stable and knowledgeable while climbing onto your roof surface -it is best to call a local Sarasota roof cleaning company.

There are three basic methods of cleaning your roof. All will require you to determine the right solution to utilize for best results on your roof, understanding how they may affect your roofing materials.

Many companies will recommend a chlorine bleach based solution, but increasingly, companies are utilizing eco-friendly solutions such as Roof-a-Cide – which is not only safe for your roof, but for your lawn, kids and pets!

• Spot Cleaning: If you have an identifiable area which needs cleaning, you may choose to scrub away the mold, algae or moss. Area of debris may be swept off, taking care to not clog the gutters.
• Spraying: Some bleach-based alternatives can be sprayed directly onto the roof’s surface and left to dry. You may need several applications to completely remove staining.
• Power Washing: While it may be tempting to blast the dirt and grime right off your roof, this can do serious damage to your roofing materials, causing degradation and significantly affecting your roof’s life.

  If you choose to power wash, use a low-pressure, gentle setting and watch for any signs of damage as you clean.

The most prudent way to maintain your home’s roof and guarantee it lives a long and healthy life is to hire a professional roof cleaner. Simply schedule an annual appointment, at which time your roofer can inspect, clean, and repair any small issues they find.

This method of maintenance will ensure that your roof takes care of you the way it should, for decades to come.

Avery Roofing Services is proud to provide roof cleaning services to our clients throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties. We offer an unconditional two year guarantee on cleaning services – so call us today!