Solving Your Algae Problem
Rather than resort to yet another round of harsh chemicals and high-pressure water, you can consider the Kelly Roofing Roof Rain cleaning solution:
- Degreasing agent
- Sealant
- Biannual maintenance
When you partner with Kelly Roofing to take care of your tile roof, you get our years of experience, our dedicated roofers, and our innovative products. Kelly Roofing uses Roof Rain, a 100 percent natural biocide made from oranges. It dislodges the algae and cleans off the black streaks without harming your landscaping or the environment.
The professional roofers at Kelly Roofing use soft washing techniques to gently and patiently remove the algae, restore the luster of your tiles, and clean them thoroughly. Once the roof is completely dry, our Roof Rain sealant coat, also made from natural products, is applied to stop algae from regrowing. Mildly acidic, this coating prevents algae from finding a home on your home.
Your roof will then have a 2-year warranty against regrowth of algae, and when the Roof Rain sealant starts wearing off at 2 years biannually Kelly Roofings crews revisit your home and reseal the tile roof.
This will effectively lengthen the lifespan of your tile roof, saving you time AND money. Plus, instead of having a clean, streak-free roof for a short time between cleanings, you will have a 100% clean roof all of the time!
How To Clean A Metal Roof
How to clean metal roofing depends on the type of metal, as some are sturdier than others.
If you’re cleaning Colorbond roofing or another powder coated metal roof, don’t use a pressure washer, as this could damage the roof. Instead, use dish detergent or a mild solution of pure soap and brush gently using a soft sponge or soft nylon brush. Avoid rubbing too hard, as this can cause shiny spots to appear on the roof.
You can use a floor mop to avoid getting on your hands and knees, but again make sure you don’t apply too much pressure. Gently clean the roof and when you’re done, rinse it thoroughly to remove all traces of detergent and wash the dirt into the guttering.
If you’re cleaning stubborn stains or removing lichen from a Colorbond roof, never use turpentine, petrol, kerosene or paint thinner, as these will harm the surface. Try to gently remove them with mild detergent instead.
You can use a floor mop to avoid getting on your hands and knees, but be sure you don’t apply too much pressure. Gently clean the roof and when you’re done, rinse it thoroughly to remove all traces of detergent and wash the dirt into the guttering. If you see stubborn stains, never use turpentine, petrol, kerosene or paint thinner to remove the stains. These will harm the surface. Try to gently remove them with mild detergent.
Historical Background Return To Top
The origin of clay roofing tile can be traced independently to two different parts of the world: China, during the Neolithic Age, beginning around 10,000 B.C. and the Middle East, a short time later. From these regions, the use of clay tile spread throughout Asia and Europe. Not only the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians, but also the Greeks and Romans roofed their buildings with clay tiles, and adaptations of their practice continue in Europe to the present. European settlers brought this roofing tradition to America where it was established in many places by the 17th century.
Tapered barrel clay roof tiles were custom made for the restoration of the 1820s Indian barracks at Mission Santa Cruz in California. Photo: NPS files.
Archeologists have recovered specimens of clay roofing tiles from the 1585 settlement of Roanoke Island in North Carolina. Clay tile was also used in the early English settlements in Jamestown, Virginia, and nearby St. Mary’s in Maryland. Clay roofing tiles were also used in the Spanish settlement of St. Augustine in Florida, and by both the French and Spanish in New Orleans.
You May Like: Skylight Installation Metal Roof
Use Water To Clean Your Roof Tiles
Now its time to wash away the anti-moss spray and other debris off the entire roof with clean water. Some people use high-pressure water spray to clean the tiles, but that can damage the tiles. Its better to use a low pressure water hose and gentle brushes to clean the tiles thoroughly.
At this point, the tiles become wet and slippery. You better use all the personal and other safety equipment and get help from your partner.
Why Should I Clean My Roof
Home owners are more concerned about leaks and if a roof isn’t leaking, it’s out of sight, out of mind. The caveat of course is if you ignore something, nature will take its course and eventually, no matter what the material, it will begin to break down. When roofing material isn’t cleaned, it allows for the buildup of organic life forms which, if not removed, will eventually compromise the integrity of the roof. I don’t know about you, but I would rather clean a roof once or twice a year rather than replace one. A roof is part of your investment and needs to be taken care of.
Recommended Reading: Cost Of New Roof Los Angeles
Roof Moss Removal Cost
Removing moss and algae buildup may be part of the total cost to clean a roof, or it can be an added expense. These accumulations can:
- Block the gutters
- Absorb heat, which increases cooling costs
- Keep shingles wet, which may cause them to wear out sooner
Most of the time, a roof contractor can remove it by hand or with water. Many cleaning products can also help loosen or dissolve moss, algae or lichen.
How To Clean Your Glazed Clay Roof Tiles Using ‘rapid Application’
You May Like: How Do You Know If Your Roof Is Leaking
How To Clean Shingles
Roofing shingles should not be cleaned with a pressure cleaner. They require a gentler touch ideally a mixture of hot water, bleach and detergent. It’s best to clean shingles on a cool and overcast day so the mixture won’t dry too fast on the roof.
Pour the mixture into a garden sprayer and clean a one metre by three-metre area at a time. Start at the bottom and let the mixture dry before moving on to the next section. You may need to use a broom to gently scrub the shingles while they’re wet, but don’t use too much pressure or you could damage the shingles.
If the shingles start to dry out, wet them again before brushing with the broom. Finally, rinse the shingles with fresh water, making sure you’ve removed all the residue from the mixture.
Clay Tile Roof Cleaning And What You Should Know
Does your clay tile roof look a little dreary and in need of a good roof cleaning? Its probably time for a thorough scrubbing if its been a while since you cleaned the roof.
One of the downsides of homeownership is that you become responsible for maintaining your home. While some parts of home maintenance can wait until youre ready, your roof is not one of them. Regular roof cleaning helps to make sure that your home and family are safe from the winds and rain that come with Floridas hurricanes.
You May Like: How To Install Skylight On Metal Roof
How Do I Clean My Roof Myself
of laundry strength liquid chlorine bleach and water. This is the best way to clean a roof if you have asphalt shingles. After spraying the roof with the mixture, allow it to sit on the surface for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with clean water.
Using A Pressure Washer Not Recommended
One of the most common methods of cleaning roof tiles is to pressure wash them, but this is something that is widely disputed. Using a high powered pressure washer could cause more damage than good, because the strength of the water stream can remove the finish of the roof tiles. The finish, which is often granular, has been designed to gradually wear off over the years, so removing that prematurely can result in a much shorter lifespan of the roof tiles. Additionally, there is a risk of flooding the roof/loft space when using a pressure washer, as the water will enter any small cracks or gaps in the roof tiles.
For these reasons, many tile manufacturers do not recommend using pressure washers on their products, and using such a method to clean roof tiles may invalidate any guarantees.
You May Like: Should I Replace The Screws On My Metal Roof
How Do You Keep Moss Off Terracotta Roof Tiles
I use a product called Roof Ripper to kill the moss and lichen prior to its high pressure clean. Once the anti-fungal treatment is applied, the roofs tile surface is high pressure cleaned using around 3000psi of straight water pressure. A turbo type nozzle should be used when using any high powered water pressure.
By Step Guide On How To Clean Roof Tiles
May 27, 2020 –
HomeNewsStep By Step Guide On How To Clean Roof Tiles
Roof tiles can quickly become infested with mould, algae, and other organisms that create ugly marks, and lead to expensive damage. A roof should be cleaned roughly every two years, and due to the danger involved, its highly recommended to hire a trained professional. But if youre set on doing the job yourself, and are confident in your ability to keep yourself safe, this article will explain how to clean your roof tiles, covering everything that you need.
Also Check: Where Do You Put The Screws On A Metal Roof
Is It Ok To Pressure Wash Roof Tiles
Using a high powered pressure washer could cause more damage than good, because the strength of the water stream can remove the finish of the roof tiles. Additionally, there is a risk of flooding the roof /loft space when using a pressure washer, as the water will enter any small cracks or gaps in the roof tiles.
Is A Cracked Roof Tile A Problem
If you spot a cracked or broken tile on your roof, it is essential to address the problem as soon as possible. Without doing so, you risk your roof leaking and the damage getting worse. If there is just a single tile or a few that you feel need replacing, you may feel confident to do the job yourself.
Read Also: Shingling A Shed
Cleaning And Removing Roof Algae And Moss
Roof or wall tiles are often covered with moss or algae if its not cleaned for more than 3 months. Random moss spots here and there are easy to clear, but the excessive build-up of algae and moss is pretty hard to remove. Use a roof scraper to scrape the extra debris from the tiles. Also be careful to not damage the tiles. You can easily find many kinds of roof scrapers designed for scraping. Dont use the crap thats used for lawn scraping. Those could potentially damage the tiles.
Now that the thick moss and page pad is obliterated, apply an anti-moss spray. If your manufacturer has a particular recommendation for this job, feel free to buy that spray. If you dont like chemical solutions you could also make a DIY spray if you want. Your tile roofs could be sensitive to particular chemicals. If there is any mention of a particular chemical, obviously avoid buying any spray that contains them.
Spray the bottle by walking away or backward from where it has been applied. Which means you should not step into the wet, treated surface. Once you are done spraying the moss killers let it rest for some time or as per the products recommendation to dry roof.
Terracotta Clay Roof Tiles
Terracotta clay roof tiles are a subtype that may be found in machine-made and handmade styles. Terracotta refers to the clay type – a red clay with a high mineral content – and how the clay is formed and dried. Terracotta tiles are known as monocottura, meaning fired once. They are often allowed to dry in the sun first, hardening them. Terracotta tiles are typically red, but they also come in other shades, depending on the temperature the clay is fired to. Spanish-style tiles are nearly always terracotta, limiting the available colors.
Don’t Miss: New Roof Cost California
Roof Pitch And Weather Factors In Tile Attachment Return To Top
The means by which clay tile is attached to the sheathing is also partly determined by the roof pitch. Generally the fastening requirements increase with an increase of roof pitch. For low-pitched rises of 4″-6″ in a 12″ run the weight of the tiles is usually sufficient to hold them in place on the lath by the ridge or “lug” on the underside of the tile, with only the perimeter tiles requiring metal clips to secure them to the sheathing. But the tiles on even these low-pitched roofs are usually nailed for added security, and additional fastening measures are necessary on roofs with a higher pitch, or in areas subject to high winds or earthquakes. For steeper pitched roofs, such as towers, 7″-11″ , or 12″-15″ in a 12″ run the tiles are nailed and a band of perimeter tiles three to four tiles thick is secured with clips. For roof rises over 16″ in a 12″ run, and in areas prone to earthquakes or hurricanes, every tile may be secured with both a nail and a copper or noncorrosive metal clip, and often also with a dab of roofing mastic or mortar.
Clay Tile Roof Maintenance Instructions
A clay tile roof is one of the most popular types of roof styles used today for looks and low maintenance. While most clay tile roofs are found in warmer places like California and the tropics, clay tiles are suitable for just about any climate.
The history of clay tiles sometimes referred to as Mexican tiles, dates back centuries and while they are attractive to look at, they do require some limited maintenance.
Clay tiles are created using clay and sand and are then fired in a wood kiln, which makes them hard and highly durable for roofing. Lastly, the tiles are glazed with a special material to keep them intact and from cracking.
Whether you plan to maintain the clay tile roof yourself or hire an expert, always be sure that you practice the appropriate safety steps when working on the rooftop. Be sure to have someone on hand while you are on the roof or when hiring an expert be sure they have credentials and are insured.
Inspect
Because clay tiles are actually fired clay, they can sometimes crack or leak. If you notice a broken or cracked clay tile, it is important to replace it immediately. It also best to hire a professional roofer to make the repairs who is qualified to do so. Inspect the roof with a binoculars and a ladder as opposed to climbing up on the roof. It is best to inspect for leaks and broken tiles once a year.
Do Not Walk
Highly Durable
Energy Savings
Cleaning
Safety
You May Like: How Much Does A Roof Cost In California
Are Clay Tiles Right For You
When deciding if a Clay tile roof is right for you, you should consider all the advantages and disadvantages of a clay roof. You should also make sure your roof has the proper slope needed for this roof system. Click this link to read about an article I wrote on how to find the slope of your roof.
You will also need to consider the budget. Can you afford to have a clay tile roof? Will you have to pay additional costs to have the structure of your roof reinforced to support the additional weight of a tiled roof? Is the cost/lifespan of the roof worth it? You can view the cost/lifespan for 17 different types of roofing materials here. All of these are things you must consider when deciding if this type of roof system is right for you.
Clay Vs Concrete Roof Tiles
An alternative to clay tiles is concrete. Concrete tiles are often found in many of the same styles and colors as clay tiles. They are often lighter, more durable, and easier to install than clay. Concrete tiles often have higher maintenance costs than clay tiles, meaning that while they are slightly less expensive to install, they have higher ongoing costs. Concrete becomes brittle, meaning it can crack more easily than clay. Therefore, you need to replace more of the concrete tiles and remove them to replace the . Concrete can also require more cleaning over time, translating to higher overall upkeep costs.
Both types are often found in similar areas. The biggest difference is that concrete tiles are available in more styles, including flat tiles that mimic other styles better than clay.
Overall upfront costs are similar, but concrete can be less costly on some projects than clay.
| Style |
|---|
| $20,000 – $40,000 |
Don’t Miss: Briarwood Pro Shingles
How Do You Walk On A Clay Barrel Roof
Orient your feet in a direction parallel with the ridge and try to distribute your weight evenly, walking as softly as possible. On high barrel tiles, such as Eagle Roofing Products Capistrano concrete roof tile profile, you should distribute your weight with the heel and toe on the high points of adjacent tiles.
