Metal Roof Cleaning Step
Keep Leaves And Debris Out Of Valleys And Gutters
When you live in an environment that gets all four seasons, there is never a time when there is nothing to clean off of your roof. Leaves, branches, twigs, and animal waste all have a tendency to build-up on our roofs during the summer and fall, and during winter we end up with the dreaded s-word: snow. Being proactive and keeping your roof clear of these things will help elongate the lifespan of your roof.
Clearing debris off your roof can be a daunting job, so there are some things you should and should not do:
Use a low-impact water hose or leaf blower to clear leaves and branches. You could also use a non-metal rake to gently brush off debris.
Have someone with you when you venture up on the roof. Being up on a roof clearing debris can be a dangerous job, so having someone there with you can ensure your safety.
Do not use a high-pressure water hose or a metal rake, because these items can cause damage to your roof.
When To Do A Roof Cleaning
When it comes to roof cleaning, there isnt a particular best time to do the job. Many experts will tell you that fall is a great time to clean your roof to help prepare it for a potentially harsh winter.
You should not schedule a roof cleaning during severe or extreme weather. It is best to avoid extremely rainy or snowy seasons. But aside from those windows of time, plan a roof cleaning when you feel your roof needs it.
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How Can I Save Money On Roof Cleaning
Comparing quotes is a great way to potentially reduce the cost of roof cleaning. HouseholdQuotes can help you get quotes from multiple roof cleaners near you, so that you can find someone that suits your budget. Click the button below to get started:
Comparing Quotes Could Save You Up To 40%:
Climbing up onto the roof and cleaning away the dirt and moss on the roof tiles isnt the sort of weekend DIY job that most homeowners would or should consider. Bearing this in mind, it appears to be a far better idea to leave it to someone else.
It can be dangerous to work on the roof, as any sort of fall can lead to a serious injury. The professional firms who offer this service employ experienced tradesmen who are comfortable working at heights and take all of the necessary precautions to stay safe while up there.
This doesnt stop you from helping your contractors out, though and you can do this in some simple preparation before they arrive.
Ensuring there is suitable parking arrangements for their vehicles can save time and stress, as well as making sure theres plenty of ground space around the property for them to be able to access the roof.
Further to this, removing anything from the ground that might get damaged during the cleaning is essential. Vehicles, garden ornaments or furniture should be moved out of the way in case anything falls on them during the job.
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Roof Cleaning: Why When And How It Should Be Done
Posted on August 24, 2016 by – roof repair
You probably pay careful attention to the inside of your house and make sure certain chores get done every so often. It is just as important to take good care of the exterior of your home, and that means getting a roof cleaning once in a while. Here are the basics you need to know about this essential service.
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Why You Should Clean Your Houston Roof
Your roof is exposed to many elements throughout the year. From strong winds to extreme downpours, your asphalt shingles can deteriorate over time without proper cleaning. Extra moisture in the air can create the perfect environment for mold and algae to grow on your roof shingles, which is not only unattractive but damaging. Whether you decided to do it yourself or hire a professional, regular cleaning is the primary way to extend the life of your roof.
Keep Trees And Branches Away From Your Roof
Trees are gorgeous and helpful for the environment in a countless number of ways. But honestly, they are no good for your roof.
Trimming trees back about 10 feet from your roof will help to keep your roof clean, and free of damage, algae and moss. Branches that rub against the shingles on your home can and will damage them much faster. Also, the water that gets caught there thanks to the tree will not only hurt your roof, but can start leaking down into your home, creating even more damage.
Another issue with trees being too close to your roof is that it gives way for those little outdoor creatures to make their way up and find a place on or in your roof to make a home. Of course, this is possible even with not having nearby trees branches, but why give critters a helping hand onto your roof?
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How Often Should You Clean Your Metal Roof
by Hugo | May 6, 2022 | Blog |
Your metal roof is a big investment! It makes sense that you want to know how to best care for it and preserve its integrity. Your metal roof is strong and durable, but making sure it stays clean can keep it that way for decades to come. In this article, well talk about how often and how to clean your metal roof.
Most Common Types Of Organic Growth On Your Metal Roof
Roof bacteria can reveal itself in many different forms and appearances. You may think you have mold growing on your metal roof, but it really could be moss, mildew, algae, lichen, or Gloeocapsa Magma. Metal roofs typically turn black with a greenish tint to it when they are saturated with organic growth. Organic growth can also grow on wood, asphalt shingles, concrete, slate tiles, Spanish tiles, and many other substrates especially if the sunlight is not so good in that area.
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Should I Hire A Professional Roof Cleaning Service
Many homeowners want to tackle roof cleaning entirely on their own, and theres nothing wrong with that. But a professional roof cleaning service can bring the proper equipment, experience and know-how, and cleaning supplies that will get the job done right. The truth is that simply spraying your roof with soap and water will not remove moss and lichen. Only a professional roof cleaning will.
Falling Leaves And Other Debris
If you often notice leaves or other debris from trees accumulating on your roof, you may want to think about more frequent roof cleanings. Heres why:
When leaves cover your roof, they also trap moisture, which makes it easier for moss, fungi, and bacteria to grow, which can also cause the development of leaks. As we know, excess moisture equals bad news for roofs in the Pacific Northwest!
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Why Is Washing The Roof Necessary
Since your roof suffers the effects of weather continuously, cleaning it is more crucial than most people think. Neglecting cleaning could lead to damage, and a damaged roof makes your house look bad.
Eventually, skipping cleaning can cause leaks, holes, and clogged gutters.
Here are the usual culprits and why you have to watch out for them:
- Moss and algae: Can act as sponges, absorbing humidity. This moisture can break down certain types of tiles, such as concrete and clay.
- Debris: After a storm or strong winds, all kinds of rubble can end up on your roof, risking falling over someones head.
- Branches and leaves: If your house rests under trees, it is common to see twigs and leaves on your roof. Too many of them can clog the gutters or hurt the roof.
- Pollen: During spring, pollen can accumulate on your roof and trigger allergies.
Also, some of this lumber and trash can get into the slits and loosen the tiles, making it more challenging to clean and expensive to fixand the risk of injury due to tiles falling increases.
Cleaning and removing all the debris and external agents on your roof will keep your household safe and your roof undamaged for longer.
Tsp Or Sodium Hydroxide As An Additive To Your Cleaning Solution
Trisodium phosphate and sodium hydroxide are a type of chemical called degreasers, which can clean up food grease and they have paint stripping abilities as well. Adding a small amount of degreaser to your roof cleaning mix can be a great way to thicken the solution so it sticks better, as well as help cut through thick layers of dirt, algae, and moss. We recommend buying both at a chemical supply store or big box store. Here is how to mix both:
- TSP: 4-8 ounces of powder per gallon of solution
- Sodium hydroxide: 1 liquid ounce per gallon of cleaning solution
Make sure when adding degreaser that you rinse it from any other house surfaces the solution touches because degreasers have mild paint stripping abilities.
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How Often Do You Clean Your Rv Roof
Itll vary depending on how you use and store your RV. If youre traveling full-time, you should clean your RV roof quarterly. This helps keep your roof looking clean but also gives you the chance to inspect the sealant.
If youre part-time or using your RV for weekend adventures, you can likely get by with cleaning your roof at the beginning and end of each camping season.
This is especially true if you keep your RV in covered storage when not in use.
Make sure to use soft brushes on your roof and only use chemicals approved by your manufacturer. Many RVers have had tremendous luck by using a soft-bristle brush and an approved RV roof cleaning product.
How Often Should You Schedule Tile Roof Cleaning
Most homeowners find its best to clean a tile roof within five years of its installation, and then every other year or every three years at most, after that. While cleaning a tile roof every other year is often sufficient, your home might need more consistent tile roof cleaning than average for a number of reasons!
As an example, homes in the tropics or overly humid areas often have a higher risk of moss and algae growth. Annual cleaning can kill any developing moss and other biological growth, ensuring it stays clean and clear throughout the year.
Homes in overly dusty areas or those located near production facilities and construction zones might also need more consistent cleaning. Waiting a few years before you schedule tile roof cleaning can mean allowing layers of dried dust and other debris to accumulate on a roof, risking damage and detracting from your homes curb appeal.
You might also notice your homes roof covered in dirt and other such debris after an unusually strong stormy season, after installing an outdoor kitchen, or because a neighbor had work done on their home and heavy construction dust made its way to your house! Whatever the reason, dont put off needed tile roof cleaning as well as other needed power washing services.
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How Do You Get Rid Of Roof Moss
Our moss removal procedure involves a few different steps.
When Is The Right Time To Clean My Roof
What most of the roof cleaners recommend is that you have to regularly clean your roof at least once every year. This way, you will be able to know if there are some developing problems on your roof and you will be able to fix it as soon as possible.
Also, you will be able to save money on repairs if you have your roof clean every year. Some problems that you might encounter is discoloration. Yes, you can actually remove this but this discoloration of your roof will then soon come back.
Having your roof regularly cleaned will be able to let you distinguish if these kinds of cases may need some replacement process or not. Pretty sure you would not want to end up fixing the same problem over and over again right?
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How To Clean Epdm Rubber
If you have some free time on your hands and you havent inspected your EPDM roof in several months, you should begin by checking its condition. To do that, youll have to actually climb on the roof you wont be able to spot any issue from the ground, as would be the case with other types of roofs. We recommend doing that on a day without rain or wind, as the process could prove to be risky.
What’s Involved In Roof Cleaning
During roof cleaning, the focus is on killing and removing the algae or moss growth. Chlorine bleach, the same kind you use to whiten laundry or scrub your toilet, is enough to kill off moss and algae spores. The ARMA recommends a 1:1 ratio of bleach to water to clean a roof. They also advise against using a pressure washer on asphalt shingles, as the force of the water can damage them.
After being allowed to sit on the roof surface for up to 20 minutes, the bleach solution should be rinsed away with clean water. A few rain showers should be enough to wash any remaining algae off the roof. The person cleaning your roof might also use a leaf blower to remove any leftover pieces of moss.
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Should You Clean Or Replace Your Roof
If youre looking at your roof and thinking it looks a little worse for wear, it might just need a good cleaning. Sometimes, the buildup of algae and moss on a roof can make the shingles look like they are in worse condition than they really are. A professional roofing contractor can inspect your roof and talk to you about its condition. If they think that cleaning it is the best option, they can either do the work themselves or direct you to a reputable roof cleaning company.
If it does turn out that your roof needs replacement, your contractor might recommend shingles that contain copper or another material that helps to repel algae growth. A roofing pro can also give you tips on keeping your roof clean and how frequently to schedule cleanings.
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What Factors Can Influence How Often Should You Clean Your Roof
Although cleanings once a year are advisable, a wide range of factors can determine how often you should clean your roof. One of the most important factors is the roof itself. Newer roofs dont require nearly as much cleaning, whereas older roofs may need washing more often to remove debris thats built up inside cracks. Different types of roofs can also require more cleaning, as some can build up debris more quickly than others.
The houses location will also play an important role in how often you should clean your roof. Large amounts of pollen can build up if a home is near a field or garden, resulting in more common cleanings. Heavily forested areas also require more cleaning, as debris from the trees can pile up on rooftops. Any roofs near highways, construction sites, and similarly dusty areas should also be cleaned more frequently as well. Further, the climate and environment of your home can also impact its cleaning schedule, as damp and shady environments can cause moss to grow more easily.
Lastly, how often you should clean your roof can change if there was inclement weather in the area. For example, the turbulent winds of storms can blow branches and other forms of debris onto your roof.
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Is It Time To Clean My Roof
Late spring/early summer is the perfect time to clean your roof. You just cant beat an annual or bi-annual spring cleaning to shake off the grime, especially after a damp winter and early spring.
As the sun shines through and we welcome warmer dryer days, its the perfect time to get a trusted pro on your roof to get rid of unsightly black streaks and check for mold, moss, and lichen.
