Roof Cleaning (How to Clean a Roof & Benefits)

In this guide to roof cleaning you’ll get ideas on how to clean a roof, why it’s necessary, pressure cleaning & soft wash methods, cost and cleaning services tips.
Frequent roof cleaning increases the longevity of roof shingles and tiles by eliminating harmful algae, dust, filth, fungus, and dirt and restores the beauty of the roof and helps increase its lifespan. 

Cleaning the roof is necessary especially in areas with high vegetation and moisture to catch and remove problems before they can turn into costly damage. 

Roof cleaning is also important for residences in tropical locations or nearby major coastal or shoreline properties, as debris and sand from a neighboring beach can accumulate into the corners and crevices of a roof, creating significant damage.

In this article, we will go over some basic yet important advice and information on cleaning and maintaining your roof. You can review these details with professional roof cleaning specialists so you will know how to effectively manage your home and your property’s exterior elements, specifically your roof.

What Is Roof Cleaning? 

Roof cleaning is the procedure of cleaning roofs, which is usually done by removing algae, mildew, mold, moss, lichen, leaves, and many more. Cleaning your roof regularly can help in extending its life and its capacity to function. 

Moreover, it can be done through bleaching or adding sodium percarbonate solution, different cleaning solutions, or asking for services from professional cleaning companies.

Certain roof cleaning services provide roof snow cleanup, debris eradication, and limb/tree disposal, and will clean up practically anything that Mother Nature chooses to leave behind.

Is Roof Cleaning Necessary?

Yes, and here are the main reasons why roof cleaning is necessary.

It Increases The Longevity Of Your Roofing System

Water and microorganisms that develop on your roof damage it and shorten its longevity. Many homeowners believe there is hardly anything they can do regarding the black stains on their roofs. They then proceed to change them when the reality is that their roof only requires cleaning.

When you fail to manage your roofing components, they eventually degrade. Algae and moss nibble away the limestone filling materials in your shingles, causing them to deteriorate over time, just in case you didn’t know.

Hence, as soon as you notice any germ, bacteria, or dirt buildup, contact a reputable contractor. According to studies, regular roof cleaning can extend the life of roofing systems by up to 25 years.

Frequent Cleaning Provides Your Roof With A Completely New Look

Algae and moss areas on your roof are not only harmful, but they are also unappealing. This is certainly relevant if you have a light-colored roofing structure. 

Fortunately, roof cleaning revitalizes the exterior aesthetic of your home. Do not, however, make the wrong choice of replacing your roof too soon.

That is why you should contact roofing contractors who provide roof cleaning services if you wish to restore its beauty. These experts will ensure that your roofing shingles regain their natural color and elegance.

Periodic Roof Cleaning Helps To Keep Pests At Bay

Insects and other flying animals like birds are drawn to a heap of organic substances on your roof. They make use of algae as nesting material. Furthermore, birds will normally peck at your roof surface, which will leave scuffs and holes.

Furthermore, once these holes are created, moisture will enter your property through the broken shingles, affecting the interior system as well. The mold that grows on your roof creeps inside your home, causing allergies and other medical issues. However, these huge problems will be prevented if you will conduct regular roof cleaning and maintenance.

Proper And Regular Roof Cleaning Helps In Saving Energy Costs

Have you noticed an increase in your energy costs or temperature within your home? Indeed, roofs must be able to deflect the sun’s beams in most cases. Algae buildup on your roof, on the other hand, hinders this critical function.

As previously said, algae and moss attack your shingles, reducing their efficacy. Most people are unaware that the organic material waste on their roofs is the cause of their increasing energy expenses.

Fortunately, proper and consistent roof cleaning boosts a roof’s solar reflectivity. You can be certain that your household will be much more comfortable and will save more money.

What Is Soft Wash Roof Cleaning? 

Soft roof washing is a roof cleaning process that involves a low-pressure washing approach, as well as a combination of algaecides, bleach, detergents, and water, to effectively clear organic stains, mold, and algae off roof surfaces.

Moreover, soft washing must be utilized on roofing surfaces that are extremely difficult to wipe down with pressure or could be broken if high pressure was performed on them, such as roof shingles. Soft washing, after all, was originally developed to remove algae from roof shingles.

What Is Roof Pressure Cleaning? 

Roof pressure cleaning involves the application of water blasted at high pressures of up to 4,000 PSI. The pressured water blows away stains and debris that have accumulated on your roof or other surfaces.

Pressure washers generate highly pressurized water jets that can be employed to instantly blast dirt from surfaces. When the surface being washed can withstand that degree of water pressure, this cleaning procedure functions extremely well.

However, while roofs are designed to withstand heavy rain, it does not mean that they can also withstand the water being released by pressure cleaners. Simply stated, unless you use it on a low setting (which is a bit ineffective), washing your roof with a pressure washer will most likely cause a lot of problems.

Roof Cleaning Cost 

Roof cleaning, like some other roofing maintenance, is best left to specialists rather than homeowners. You can expect to pay around $370 to $610 for a professional roof cleaner, with an average cost of $490.

What is the size of your roof? What is the composition of your roof? Your specific roof cleaning cost will be determined by these as well as certain factors. Prices per square foot typically range from $0.15 to $0.68.

How Often to Clean a Roof 

In general, having your roof cleaned by specialists once a year would be a smart idea. This is frequently enough so that if problems arise, they can be identified soon enough. If your roof is in excellent condition or has been recently installed, you could only necessitate a roof cleaning at least every two years.

How to Clean a Roof  

Here are descriptions for cleaning a few of the most popular types of roofs.

Roof Shingles Cleaning

• In your water sprayer, combine your roof cleaning chemicals. For the majority of asphalt shingle roofs, you can start with a 50/50 mix to ensure your chemically-based cleaning solution is effective enough to produce a desirable finish. You can use a sprayer hooked to a garden hose loaded with an equal mixture of chlorinated bleach and water.

• Begin cleaning above the roof. Distribute an adequate application of your roof cleaning chemical solution starting from the top down to the bottom. Some people prefer to add a 1/4 cup of dishwashing soap (not laundry detergent) to their solution to allow for a gentler flow of chemicals down the roof. This allows the active ingredient to remain wet for longer, giving it more time to interact with the algae that you are removing.

• Do not overdo it with the chemicals. Less is more in the idea that you must not have chemicals streaming down your roof like a waterfall. If you are using a garden water sprayer, you are unlikely to get this amount out of it. When using chemicals, less means “more”.

• Problematic areas should be treated repeatedly. If the algae has not vanished or turned white within a few minutes of applying the first application of roof cleaning solution, reapply in the same manner. Certain fire moss and other excessive moss might cause problems because it is a much tougher kind of black algae, thus you will have to focus on cleaning it until it gets eliminated.

• After doing the cleaning process, come down from the roof cautiously on a ladder and let the operation take its course. There is nothing further you need to do after applying the solution and spraying it with water; simply let it do its job. Observe the roof after a few weeks to see whether the roof shingles need to be treated with additional chemicals.

What is the Best Cleaner for Roof Shingles? 

The best and safest cleaner for roof shingles is by using a garden hose and a vinegar solution. You can spray a vinegar solution combined with dishwashing liquid using a sprayer. Be certain that the whole roof is coated.

To avoid unintentional harm, cover your landscaping and reroute downspouts. Allow the solution to sit for a few hours before gently blowing. If required, repeat the process, then rinse once the entire roof and shingles are spotless.

How Do You Clean a Roof without Damaging Shingles? 

Because of the formation and surface of shingles, they must be cleaned with care using a non-corrosive solution. These cleansers are safe for both the surface and the underlayment.

Non-pressure chemical washing is the most reliable technique to clean the roof while preserving the texture and structure of the shingles. Excessive pressure involves removing the surface granules of the shingles, causing damage to your roof. 

As a matter of fact, the steps aforementioned about how to clean shingles are the ones you can follow to efficiently clean your roof without damaging your shingles.

However, non-pressure washing takes longer, and usually, it necessitates the use of professional equipment. It is indeed impressive to be able to manage as much of your house maintenance as possible on your own.

However, the best approach to minimize damages to your roof shingles is to hire a licensed specialist to clean your roofing system without damaging the shingles using a non-pressure cleaning.

Tile Roof Cleaning 

Here are two techniques on how you can clean your tile roof effectively:

Cleaning Your Tile Roof Using a Stiff Brush or Trowel

Scraping off the moss, algae, and grime by hand is a basic yet very manual way of cleaning tile roofs. To put it simply, you have to scrape the moss and debris away from the tiles with a device such as a trowel. 

The drier the day, the less likely moss and other things will become trapped in the tiles. To put it another way, you can also use a stiff brush to scrub the dirt off the roof tiles – both procedures are quick and simple ways to efficiently clean your tile roof. However, this might take quite a lot of time and effort – but all will be surely worth it in the end.

Applying Safe Chemically-Based Cleaning Solutions

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A variety of chemically-based roof cleaning solutions have been created to assist in the cleaning of roof tiles that have moss and fungus growth. Moss killers, fungicides, and anti-moss chemicals can be sprayed onto tile roofs to kill any natural vegetation on them. 

Nevertheless, this must only be performed after scraping the tile roof with a stiff brush or trowel to ascertain that the chemical solution goes into all the crevices and cracks where mold, algae, and other filth can frequently become stuck.

Nonetheless, you should remember to protect any surrounding plants and grass while using moss-killing chemical solutions. The chemical-based cleaning agents are designed to destroy all living organisms, not only moss and algae. Furthermore, be certain that any chemical effluent does not enter any drinking water supplies.

Metal Roof Cleaning

Cleaning your metal roof depends on the amount of dirt, algae, or any filth buildup. A mild detergent diluted in water provides a decent roof cleaning solution that is already sufficient to work as a good cleaning agent in terms of removing mild dirt during regular cleanups. A quarter cup of mild detergent (such as laundry or car detergent) per gallon of water is all that is required.

Yes, you can even use it in conjunction with a soft bristle brush to help eliminate dirt while inflicting no harm to your paint. When cleaning your roof, never use a wire brush or steel wool. These items are extremely harsh and will remove the paint from your roof.

However, to remove a stubborn stain, you may require something a little stronger at times. In certain circumstances, a solvent combined with water might be used to spot-clean difficult-to-clean stains. You can use this product solely on the portions of your roof that necessitate increased focus.

To make sure that things will not get wrong, you have to be guided by the cleaning solvent’s instructions. Only use these solvents to clean the small areas of your roof to ensure that they will not degrade the paint.

Use extreme caution while working with these strong cleaning substances. Since solvents can be poisonous and combustible, you have to keep your worksite well-ventilated. Keep an eye out for any open fires or sparks. It is also critical to use protective eye-wear and safety gear.

Aside from your brush, you will need other cleaning equipment, such as a washcloth or sponge, to wipe off the metal roof panels after cleaning them with your preferred solution. To avoid streaks from developing, anything you use must only come into touch with pure water and thus should not include any detergent or soap-based cleaners.

You can use a pressure washer when cleaning metal roofs, but it can be risky as it might damage their quality. But if you have no choice, then you can try to use it; just make sure that you are applying light pressure only.

Using a pressure washer to clean a metal-made roof is a distinct and speedier cleaning method. Therefore, you should exercise caution when using this technique.

Extremely high pressures have the potential to harm the roof. Use no more pressure than is absolutely necessary. The water should also be hot to easily soften and break up the dirt and algae development on your roof.

Roof Cleaning Services Tips

• Constantly exercise caution when blowing, sweeping, or washing debris off your roof. Establish your ladder on level ground, operate it carefully, and wear non-slip shoes if you plan to walk around your roof. If the situation allows, wear a harness.

• Begin at the top portion of the roof and work your way down, blasting or rinsing the waste using your sprayer or power washer.

• When washing your roof, a garden hose can frequently be used to effectively rinse material away. You may want to buy or rent pressure washing devices if you have recurring algae, mold, or bug infestations. If this is the case, make sure to use relatively low pressure. High-pressure washing can remove the asphalt from your roof shingles, which worsen the condition of your roof.

• To clear away any waste accumulation from your roof, most reputable pressure washing services recommend utilizing a mild yet efficient cleaning solution. In this way, you will not be forced to rely on extremely high-pressurized water that might harm your roof quality.

• Water can seep into the roof deck and induce major difficulties if you force it to spray beneath the shingles, hence always spray in the direction of angles.

• While you are cleaning the roof, take the time to inspect your gutters. Your gutters must be capable of efficiently flushing your cleaning solution and any loose material out from your roof. If you find your gutters becoming congested or overflowing with water while you are working, then you have to unclog and clean them.

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