More Considerations To Keep In Mind
- You only need to treat your roof to a power washing once every year or two. More than that and you may wind up subjecting it to more wear and tear than its built to withstand in a short amount of time.
- That said, the inverse is true, as well. The roof of your home does need to be cleaned every now and then. Algae can ruin the appearance of your roof and mold can cause long-term damage, creating leaks. Your insurer probably requires you to keep your roof clean in order for your policy to remain valid.
- If you dont have power washing training yourself, its a good idea to consider professional help on this one. The job is both delicate and dangerous, which is always a tricky combination if youre not completely comfortable with the task at hand.
- Pressure washing and soft washing arent exactly the same thing. Pressure washing allows the water to come out at full force and is preferred for cleaning concrete, brick and industrial buildings. For most residential roofs, soft washing, which uses a special nozzle to limit the PSI of the sprayer, will be more than strong enough for the job.
We recommend enlisting a pro to handle the job. But, if you are going to try to tackle the job yourself. Remember: safety, safety, safety. Gloves, goggles, slip-resistant shoes, and dont forget the sunscreen.
Get more seasonal home maintenance advice from the experts: Is Your Roof Ready to Withstand the Winter?
When Is Diy Roof Power Washing A Good Option
If your roof is made of one of the more durable materials mentioned earlier, a DIY power washing effort might work out just fine. The standard PSI rating of a pressure washer is 2,600, so it can put out a lot of water at high speeds. Some professional grade models have even more power and generally shouldnt be used for DIY roof cleaning.
There are also various types of nozzles. Some shoot out strong, straight jets of water, and some others have a fan attachment that is gentler on contact surfaces. When the roof is made of metal or concrete, it can often withstand straight shooting nozzles. However, low pressure methods and fan nozzles are best for roofing materials such as asphalt, cedar shake, and certain types of tiles.
Can You Pressure Wash A Roof Answered
Your roof takes a beating. It protects you from everything mother nature throws at it. Debris carried from severe weather, birds using it as a bathroom, and flowing water negatively affects your roof. Take a look at your roof. Does it look like an ugly painting? If so, you are in dire need of a roof cleaning.
It is one of the most important aspects of a home, so why not give it some special treatment? Neglecting to pressure wash your roof will only cause issues in the future.
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Wear Proper Safety Equipment
Your ladder is the most important piece of safety equipment at your disposal. Some jobs might allow you to stand on your roof, whereas some jobs will require all the spraying to be done from the ladder itself. Flat roofs typically allow for walking and spraying, while high pitched roofs will necessitate staying on the ladder.
Are Other Roof Materials Safe For Power Washing
Roof composition is the first thing to determine when deciding how to approach achieving a clean roof. Other roofing materials less common than shingles can still be damaged during pressure cleanings, and in some cases the owners warranty could be voided. Its always wise to check the manufacturers recommendations before breaking out the pressure washer for a DIY roof cleaning. Here are some general guidelines that a roof cleaning service typically follows.
- Clay Roof Tiles: This material is durable, and one should use a pressure washer set at 1200 psi to clean clay roof tiles.
- Concrete Tile: These roofs are typically flat and commonly used for industrial or apartment complexes. They can handle a wide array of pressure cleaning settings.
- Slate Roofs: Slate is another resilient material, but they can be damaged by forceful contact, making them a good candidate for soft wash techniques.
- Metal Roofs: Typically made of tin alloy, metal roofs are capable of enduring several pressure washing setting levels.
- Wood Shake: Similar to asphalt shingles, wood shake must be carefully washed with a low-pressure setting.
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Hire A Professional Roofer To Clean Your Tile Roof
Always hire a professional roofer to clean your roof to ensure longevity. Having a roofer clean your tile roof means your roof will get full-service care, from repairs before cleaning to a sparkling clean roof. Working with Kelly Roofing to clean your roof means issues will be addressed instead of ignored.
We use the right products without applying pressure to the tiles. First, an all-natural soft wash cleaning product and then Roof Rain Time-Activated Algae Prevention Solution to protect your roof. Every time it rains, your roof will continue to self-clean and create a protective barrier from algae. Youll only need to have Roof Rain reapplied every two years to keep your tile roof looking fresh and streak-free for life!
Some of the benefits of professional roof cleaning include:
- Never have a dirty roof for life
- Restores the look of your roof
- Increases your homes curb appeal
- Prolongs the lifespan of your roof
- Prevents HOA nasty-grams
Soft Washing And Other Alternatives
Roof pressure cleaning poses a lot of risks when not done by professionals. Luckily, there are other washing techniques you can adopt to keep your roof spotless and free from mold.
The first option is called soft washing, otherwise known as chemical cleaning. To do this, start by thoroughly soaking the plants in your house with water.
Using a tarp, cover more sensitive plants and flowers to protect them. Next, use soft pressure to wet your roof before spraying it with a chlorine-based gel. Leave it as is for a short while, then use a pressure washer on low pressure to wash it down from top to bottom.
Other alternatives dont require water. You can use a soft brush or broom to sweep dust and dirt off your roof. While this is a less thorough solution, it can still be quite effective. Another option is to use a garden blower to get rid of debris. Finally, to combat mold and fungus growth, apply a roof treatment all over.
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Cleaning Roofs With Uncommon Shingles
The above advice applies to roofs with asphalt shingles. If you have a less common style of shingle on your roof, it may be safer to use a pressure washer to clean them. Homeguide actually recommends homeowners with clay roof tiles use a pressure washer set at 1200 psi to clean their roof.
If your roof does have specialty shingles, do further research and check with the manufacturer to learn exactly what kind of cleaning methods they recommend.
But Arent Metal Roofs Rustproof
Most metal roofs are made with metal that will resist rusting but only to a certain point. The metal is not completely rust-proof but is protected with a coating just like the enamel that covers the panels themselves.
Once the coating is eroded, the metal will begin to rust. In laymans terms, youre going from a spottily painted roof to a leaking roof. Youre going from protection to decoration. Its going to be rainy and cold inside!
Regularly power washing your metal roof ensures that your home will look its best and be its best! In short, in order to function as intended, a metal roof needs to be regularly cleaned. Luckily, now you know exactly how to clean it!
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Can I Pressure Wash My Metal Roof By Myself
There is a reason that many renters and owners turn to professionals for their first roof-cleaning. While some dedicated DIYers balk at the prospect of hiring someone to work on their home, many readers remain cautious about climbing the ladder in the first place.
Safety is always the top priority, but as long as you follow instructions carefully, there is nothing to fear but fear itself. Read on to find out how to clean your metal roof as safely and efficiently as possible.
Power Washing Vinyl Siding Rates
For a single-story home with vinyl siding, power washing rates range from $90 to $248 depending on the size of your home. Contractors typically charge $0.29 to $0.35 per square foot, and prices go up if there are more than one-story, because more pressure is needed if ladders arent used. A pressure washer brush helps to clean the surface of debris faster.
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Know What You Are Cleaning
Inquire from the company that manufactured your roof to find out whether or not the panels can tolerate high-pressure power washing. Or, if you know the composition of the roof, check with a roofing expert to learn best practices for that material. If you use something too strong or too hot, you will remove the coating on the panels. Generally, its the pressure you have to watch out for.
A high-pressure hot waterpower wash will eliminate grime faster than any other method but could damage your metal roof. Always do some research on your particular roof before you start. You dont want to call a repairman for two jobs to avoid calling them for one!
Pressure Washing Prices & Rates
A professional pressure washing company will charge $50 to $160 per hour or an average of $0.40 per square foot depending on the size of the job. Pros will come out to your job site to measure before quoting you a price. Many things can affect that price, including whether you need your house, deck, driveway, roof, or other exterior surfaces pressure washed, where you live, how big the area is, and if you need any specific kind of cleaner.
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How To Clean Roof Using Pressure Washer
Keeping roofs clean and dirt-free is important to prevent serious damage to your home walls and ceilings, especially during rains. A clean and clog-free roofing system will ensure proper drainage and prevent leakage caused by accumulated water. Roofs can attract algae, mold, and moss pretty fast. These are fungal growths that do not wash off in the rain but rather thrive on it and can become a serious problem that can leave your roof damaged. Scraping and scrubbing wont help, as they can cause cracks and break the shingles. Pressure washing is the best option available.
Is Mold Killing Your Roof
Roof discoloration is caused by a species of algae called Gloeocapsa Magma sometimes called Black Algae or Roof Algae. This type of algae is contained in and transported through the air and tends to collect and grow upon roofing structures. This growth on your roof looks dirty and will reduce the life of your shingles.
As the fungus breaks down the asphalt shingle, the ceramic granules protecting the surface of the shingle are loosened. Once they begin to fall off it causes the roof to deteriorate and will diminish its ability to reflect heat. If not treated, the roof algae will reduce the life of your roof and increase your home cooling expenses.
Please contact us for more information, or use our quick quote form for a free estimate.
*When your roof is cleaned, it may temporarily turn the stains, streaks, dirt, and green algae into a white color.
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Problems That May Arise Because Of Pressure Washing
Before attempting to pressure wash your roof, you should understand that most of the components used on a roof are not built for enduring pounding, high water pressure. This is especially true in the case of homes with older roofs. When you use consistent high water pressure on such roofs, it can lead to various issues, like:
- Breaking the adhesive between shingles.
- Damaging the underlying fabric of the roofing material.
- Stripping away the ceramic granules on shingles.
- Causing cracks in cement, ceramic tiles, clay, slate, shakes, and even in metal.
- Dispersing fungi, moss, and other organisms to the entire area of the roof.
- May ultimately result in roof leaks.
How Long Does The Moss Killer Last
Assuming that the roof isnt under tree cover, the moss shouldnt grow back for about 3 years, after 4 years there will be light growth.
For this reason, the homeowner should instruct a roofing company to re-apply the chemical every 3 years, thus preventing any moss growth and keeping the roof looking clean.
Moss killing chemicals are not expensive, expect to pay around £30 for enough to treat a semi-detached property. A backpack sprayer costs around £25 and the work takes around an hour.
If you purchase a more expensive backpack sprayer then you will find they have a very long reach, about 6 metres! That is enough to reach the top of the roof from access towers erected to gutter height.
So once the moss is initially removed nobody ever needs to get on the roof again. This reduces the amount of foot traffic on the roof tiles. Remove the moss once, re-apply the chemicals from gutter height with a sprayer every few years simple and cost-effective!
This type of work is often carried out by traditional roofing contractors, although few roof cleaning/coating companies recommend this approach as it doesnt involve pressure washers and expensive roof coatings/sealants.
It is possible to complete a roof cleaning project without pressure washing, but the chemicals do take a little time to work. Remember: the dirt you see on a roof is usually moss and lichen which can be treated and prevented with chemicals.
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Why You Should Not Pressure Wash Your Roof
Pressure washers produce highly-pressurized jets of water that can be used to blast sediment off surfaces. This cleaning method works really well when the surface being washed can stand up to that level of water pressure.
But while asphalt shingles are made to handle heavy rainfall, raindrops are not quite the same as a concentrated beam of water from a pressure washer. Simply put, unless you have it on a low setting, cleaning your roof with a pressure washer would likely do much more harm than good.
The water pressure wont damage just the shingles, either. Theres a good chance the jet of your pressure washer could work through the adhesive bond holding your shingles together, or seep into and damage your roofs fabric underlayment. Plus, pressure washers tend to blast sediment into the air, so its likely any dirt you do scrape off your shingles is bound to fall back down onto another section of your roof.
On top of all that, most pressure washers are simply not made for roof work. You could seriously injure yourself trying to lug your pressure washer up a ladder. And once its up there, theres no guarantee the weight of the machine wont damage your shingles.
Should I Power Wash My Rooftop
Power washing is one of the most effective ways to remove dirt and grime from roofing materials. You should be very careful when pressure washing a roof. The high water pressure levels can damage certain roofing materials like terracotta if the nozzle is held too close to the roof. If you spray the water at the wrong angle, you can also end up flooding your house.
It is perfectly safe to power wash any type of roof as long as the nozzle is kept at a proper distance and as long as a good angle is used.
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Pressure Washing Concrete Prices
A simple pressure washing of concrete runs from $0.08 to $0.20 per square foot. It goes up from thereif the pavement is greasy and requires power washing plus a concrete detergent, it will cost $0.25 to $0.35 per square foot. The concrete detergent breaks up the dirt, grease, and oil and makes the pressure wash easier and faster. To clean your concrete curbs, it costs $0.25 to $0.60 per linear foot because it requires more fine-tune cleaning with a turbo nozzle.
Can You Pressure Wash A Roof Without Professional Help
Its clear that pressure cleaning roofs shouldnt be done by amateurs. The water pressure level combined with the cleaning solution that must be used should be decisions made by a professional. If you insist on pressure washing roof shingles, hire a service company to do it every 2-3 years.
One of the reasons homeowners choose not to hire a pressure washing service company is because of the perceived high price. Contrary to popular belief, however, roof cleaning contractors arent very expensive. Contractors usually charge somewhere between $200 to $800, depending on the service.
While $800 seems like a lot to shell out, thats nothing compared to the cost of replacing your roof entirely, which is a real possibility if you dont keep your roof clean or decide to do it yourself. In the end, these roof cleaning costs are worth it.
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Save Money Every Month
It will cost you more and more to keep your home comfortable as the Gloeocapsa magma continues to eat away at the shingles on your roof. The algae breakdown the shingles, reducing their ability to reflect the suns rays. As a result, the black stains from the algae will absorb more heat when summer comes around.
Save The Roof From Leakage And Damages:
Roof cleaning is frequently overlooked because it is not the most visible feature of a house. Because its so high up, most people dont even bother to look. A leaking roof, on the other hand, can cause more severe issues.
Mold and other fungi can cause structural damage to your roof if you dont maintain it clean. Water may leak into your home, bringing mold and mildew along with it. Mold, mildew, and other filth can all be harmful to your health, as you may already know. You may have a healthy and leak-free home by cleaning your roof.
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