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Roof cleaning is an essential part of maintaining your home’s structure and appearance. Cleaning a roof can help remove dirt, debris, mold, mildew, algae, moss, and other contaminants that can cause damage and deterioration over time. It also improves the overall aesthetics of your property and increase its value should you ever decide to put it on the market. In this article, we explain the benefits of cleaning your roof frequently.
What Is Roof Cleaning?
Roof cleaning is the process of removing dirt, debris, and other materials from the surface of your roof. It's an important preventive measure that can help keep your roof in good condition and protect it from potential damage caused by water, UV rays, and other environmental conditions.
Professional roof cleaning services use specialized equipment to clean all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles, metal panels, clay tiles, and wood shakes. Likewise, roof specialists inspect your roof for any signs of water damage or wear and tear from exposure to weather elements such as wind or hail.
What Are The Benefits Of Cleaning A Roof?
The benefits of getting your roof cleaned regularly include extending its lifespan, improving its appearance and curb appeal, and protecting it against future damage. Something as simple as a visual inspection can ensure potential problems can be addressed before they become major issues.
Professional roof cleaning services provide a wide range of advantages such as:
- Improved lifespan: Regularly cleaning your roof helps protect it from damage caused by dirt, debris, mold, and mildew buildup, preventing costly repairs down the line. This could mean the difference between replacing or repairing your roof prematurely versus having it last longer than expected.
- Reduced need for repairs: By regularly removing debris and other contaminants, you reduce the chance of needing costly repairs due to water infiltration or rot-related damage in the future.
- Lower overall costs: Roof cleaning costs can vary depending on factors such as size and materials used (e.g., metal roofs). But when compared to potential replacement costs or repair bills, regular professional cleaning makes sound financial sense.
- Gutter cleaning: Both your roof and gutters should be professionally cleaned at least once a year. Neglecting gutter maintenance can lead to clogged downspouts that cause rainwater runoff to enter in vulnerable areas of your home like soffits and fascia boards. This can lead to decay and structural damage over time as well as increase the risk of insect infestations.
What Are The Different Methods Of Cleaning A Roof?
Depending on the type of material used in your roof, different cleaning solutions can be used. Some of the most common techniques used by roof cleaning professionals are:
- Soft washing: This technique uses low-pressure and specialized cleaners to get rid of algae and other debris without causing water leaks or other damage to the roof surface. In many cases, soft wash systems alone can be successful at completely cleaning.
- Pressure washing: This method involves using higher levels of water pressure, usually using a power washer. However, this should be done with caution since too much pressure may cause roof leaks or damage the roof shingles. It's important to evaluate the condition of your roof before choosing regular power washing, as misusing the equipment can lead to a leaky roof.
- Water spraying: For certain roofs, it’s often best to take a simple cleaning approach and spray them down with water as they can easily become damaged if exposed to high pressure. Using other types of cleaning methods on these roofs may lead to loose tiles and other forms of structural damage. For instance, this rings true for ceramic tile roofs made of delicate materials.
What Are The Common Causes Of Roof Deterioration?
Roof deterioration is often caused due to a buildup of dirt, dust, and debris. Likewise, natural elements such as tree limbs, branches, twigs, leaves, and other organic materials can settle on your roof and quickly deteriorate its surface materials. Moss growth can also lead to deterioration in some types of roof tiles.
How Often Should I Have My Roof Cleaned?
Homeowners should have their roofs professionally cleaned once every two years. This way, any potential issues such as clogged gutters or mold growth can be avoided before they become too severe. Depending on factors like the age of your roof or local climate conditions, more frequent cleanings may be required. Having your roof cleaned on a regular basis is important for the overall health and maintenance of your home. A trained roofing expert can give you advice as to what specific routine works best for you.
What Are The Potential Hazards Of Not Cleaning A Roof?
The consequences of not cleaning your roof can be far-reaching and potentially hazardous:
- If left untreated, moisture damage could occur. This may lead to major structural issues that will require expensive repairs.
- An unclean roof can allow mold spores or algae spores to accumulate, resulting in the growth of algae stains.
- Energy efficiency is compromised when a rooftop accumulates dirt and debris, diminishing any energy savings you might have retained otherwise.
What factors influence the cost of cleaning a roof?
The type of roof, size, and location are all major factors that influence roof cleaning costs. For instance, if you have a shingle roof or an asphalt one, you will need a different kind of service than for clay roofs or tile ones. It's important to determine what kind of roof you have to get accurate estimates from roof-washing services.
Roof Cleaning And Maintenance Services
Your roof is an essential part of your home’s structure, so you should keep it in top condition with regular washing. A professional roof cleaner can remove built-up dirt and bacteria from your home's exterior surfaces. The trained experts of LeMoine Roofing and Construction are equipped with advanced tools and knowledge to assess the condition of your roofing system and determine what steps need to be taken for proper maintenance.