Increase The Life Of Your Roof
Roofs typically last for 20 to 30 years. Some roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles or fiber cement, last anywhere from 20 to 25 years. Other materials like slate, tile, or copper can last for nearly 50 years. Regular roof maintenance helps to identify any of the common issues that plague roofs before they become detrimental to the health of your home. Furthermore, you get the maximum lifespan of the roof.
Keep The Roofs Warranty Active
Manufacturers want you to maintain your roof and clean it regularly. A multi-year warranty does not exempt you from basic core maintenance during the life of your roof. In fact, neglecting your roof may devoid any warranty that came when your homes roof was installed. Routine cleaning identifies any potential issues lurking on or near the roof, which may actually be helpful in preventing with prompt action.
To Keep Your Property Looking Its Best
Many people do keep their walls, driveway, or decking clean. They also keep their garden under good control. But then forget to make sure the roof remains a proud part of their property. Obviously, if you intend to sell your home, either now or in the future, making sure the roof and guttering are in good order is vital. It can affect the value you can ask for and is an important aspect of curb appeal for prospective buyers. Apart from that, owners like to be proud of their home, knowing that, as others look at it, it is a reflection of their standards.
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Tips And Tricks To Maintain Your Clean Roof
Besides roof cleaning, there are other ways for you to maintain and prolong the lifespan of your roofs.
1. Trim any protruding branches
Sometimes you cant help it when trees grow towards your property. Youll be surprised one day to come home and find a branch of your neighbors tree on your roof! Oh no! The branch might fall on your roof and damage it.
Luckily, you can prevent this by trimming the branches. Its easy, and it wont take long!
2. Clean your roof of any debris
As a general rule, you want your roof to be exposed to sunlight as much as possible. Why? Moss and algae are less likely to grow and accumulate in your area! Remember, algae growth also allows debris to build up in time.
If you dont want to encounter this problem repeatedly, we recommend roof cleaning regularly. You can use a leaf blower or garden sprayer to clear the area!
3. Install zinc or copper-coated sheet metal
Alternatively, you can also install a sheet of zinc or copper-coated sheet metal on your asphalt shingle roof.
Moss and algae are less likely to develop and grow because copper is toxic to them. So its a great and natural way of getting rid of them!
4. Spray Anti-Moss Biocide
If you dont want to install copper sheet metal on your roof, we recommend spraying anti-moss biocide instead.
Youve probably scrubbed your roof clean after all the hard work youve done, but did you kill the spores? Water and bleach might not be the solution to get them out of your roof.
Is Your Roof Due For Cleaning
According to the National Roofing Association, All roofs require periodic maintenance to achieve maximum roof life. They recommend inspecting your roof at least twice a year.
Like changing your oil, roof cleaning protects your investment by extending the life of your roof. A clean, well-maintained roof will add years to its life and value to your home. More importantly, the structural damage caused by algae, mold, mildew, moss, and debris can put you and your family at risk.
If you think your roof is due for a cleaning, or are not sure whether it is, we can help. Our professional cleaners will provide an evaluation of your roof free of charge, and can provide no-contact roof cleaning services. Call us today or
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Does Spray And Forget Work On Roofs
A: Spray & Forget will not work to remove dirt, pollen, sap, or soot, but is very effective on roof moss. A: Yes, Spray & Forget will work on almost any exterior surface and actually works faster on these surfaces then on roof surfaces. Apply 5 gallons of water to 1 gallon of Spray & Forget mixture to these surfaces.
Why You Need To Clean Your Roof
A clean roof is, of course, more attractive. Blotchy, stained roofs decrease your homes curb appeal and make it more difficult and less lucrative to sell your house. But roof cleaning is not just an aesthetic consideration. Its a serious structural liability.
Your roofs job is literally to be exposed to the elements 24/7, but it needs TLC to continue to work effectively over time. Dirt, debris and leaves all find their way onto the roof, especially if youre lucky enough to have trees on your property.
Add in moisture from rain, and leaves and debris turn into mold, mildew, algae, and bacteria which eat away at your roof and cause it to decay.
Algae specifically is both extremely common and extremely damaging to your roof. This blue-green invader actually feeds off asphalt and limestone roofing and thrives in low light. Its spores are transported by wind and animals, meaning it easily spreads from rooftop to rooftop in neighborhoods. And, algae not only wears away your roof but also affects the temperature inside your home. It turns into dark stains that soak up the sun and increase the heat of your roof, transferring that heat into your home. That can lead to a large increase in cooling and energy costs during the hot summer months.
Moss also presents a significant threat, as it holds in moisture and can cause shingles to lift or curl. Mold is an even more worrisome threat, as it presents a health hazard for your family.
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Cleaning And Inspecting Your Roof
The most common task involved in roof cleaning is removing debris from rain gutters to allow rainwater to flow through the roof drainage system as designed, and help prevent water damage to the exterior and interior of your home. Gutter cleaning is a great time for a general health inspection of your roof.The best times to do an inspection are during spring and fall as the seasons change.
If possible, use a ladder to work on clearing your rain gutters. As you work, carry out a good visual inspection of as much of the roof as you can see. Judge the condition of shingles, downspouts, gutters, and skylights. Take note of any dark stains or discolorations, such as water stains. These are possible signs of water infiltration or areas that may need furtherinspection and repair.
Here are a few things to include in your spring and fall cleaning and inspection:
- Clear and test gutters and downspouts. Use a broom, gloves or other light tool to clean out debris from these important systems that direct water away and off your roof. The roof valleys and the roofs intentional slope are designed to direct rainwater from the roof to the gutter system. When debris accumulates on your rooftop, the entire system is affected. Loose or broken gutters and downspouts need to be repaired so that they do not misdirect rainwater and cause damage to your home.
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.
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How Often Should You Get Your Gutters Cleaned
Just like the foundation of your home is important in maintaining the structural integrity. The roof of your home is also equally important as it protects your house from various things. A roof needs to be properly maintained to shield your house, especially the gutters.
Now, any one that owns a home knows that gutter cleaning is important so they dont get clogged. A clogged gutter can cause a lot of problems such as flooding, mold and rot. To ensure this doesnt happen, you need to ask yourself how often you should get your gutters cleaned.
The answer is it depends on one important factor.
Weather conditions
Warm climate
Living in a warm climate means you dont have much greenery around and so there are no leaves falling in your gutters or much debris collecting. In such a case you will not need to clean your gutters that often, maybe just once a year will do.
Cool climate
However if you are living in the suburbs or a place with a lot of greenery around and a cool weather, chances are that leaves and debris will collect much more quickly and you will have to get them cleaned twice or thrice in a year.
Rainy weather
If you live in an area where it rains a lot, make sure your gutters are cleaned before the rainy season as a blocked gutter with the additional amount of water can cause flooding and the roof structure of your house to weaken causing leaks.
Freezing climate
Why you should use a professional to clean your gutters
Older Roofs Are Best Cleaned With A Soft Wash System
A soft wash cleaning begins with the application of particular surfactants or detergents. These cleansers seep into the pits and pores of a home’s roof, working their way along the undersides of roofing tiles and shingles as well as around flashing and other roof materials. Soft wash cleansers are gentle but strong, working to dissolve thick grit, grime, dust, dirt, mud, soot, and other such residues.
Soft wash systems use low-pressure rinsing to remove dirt. This pressure is typically just slightly stronger than the force created by a garden hose with a spray nozzle. Low-pressure rinsing won’t loosen or cause damage to old, brittle roofing tiles, and won’t wash away damaged granules along their surfaces. A professional power washing contractor can note if a soft wash cleaning is recommended for your roof, depending on its age and amount of dirt that needs cleaning.
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Hiring A Professional Roof Cleaning Company Is An Investment In Your Home
Regular, professional roof power washing will restore the overall appearance of your home’s roof, removing built-up soot, grime, dust, and other debris, as well as various stains and areas of discoloration. Roofing shingles and tiles will then look fresh and vibrant so that your entire home seems cleaner and newer.
A soft wash system will also remove algae, mold, moss, and mildew that is typically unreachable with a standard hose or pressure washer. The detergents and surfactants used during a soft pressure washing are meant to penetrate all nooks and crannies of a roof, dissolving dirt and debris trapped under shingles and around roof eaves. Low-pressure rinsing won’t strip away loose tiles or granules on the shingles themselves, while still protecting those tiles from damaging storm residues.
A thorough power washing also reveals areas of damage along the surface of a roof. A home’s roof might have soft spots, indicating the need for structural repair, hidden under water stains or layers of soot and grime. A professional cleaning reveals damaged areas so that repairs can be made promptly, preserving the framework of the home and avoiding roof leaks and eventual water damage.
What Happens If You Dont Clean Your Roof
Everyone knows the importance of keeping a roof over your head. Theres a reason rooftops have their own idioms. Theyre arguably the most important facet of a secure shelter, so much so that the word roof is metonymic, used to signify an entire home.
Yet, for all the security roofs provide us, we often dont give them enough love and care. Roof care and cleaning is often forgotten until a problem arises, when it actually should be part of your regular home maintenance like mowing landscaping or repainting.
Why? Because failing to clean your roof could have serious and dangerous consequences.
Heres why you should be cleaning your roof on a regular basis, and a breakdown of your options for roof maintenance.
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What Are Those Black Marks On My Roof
Weve all seen those ugly black streaks on asphalt shingles. They tend to start small and spread until they cover wide swaths of your roof. Theyre not dirt or soot like you might think. Instead, theyre a type of blue-green algae called Gloeocapsa Magma that spreads to rooftops through airborne spores. And while they wont necessarily damage your shingles, they dont do much for curb appeal and can pave the way for more problematic issues like lichen. Roof algae love moisture, so they thrive in warm, humid climates like ours. Youll often spot them on the north side of your house, which is shaded for more hours of the day and more likely to stay damp. The algae are also especially fond of certain roofing materials, including the limestone fillers that are part of many modern asphalt shingles.
The Length Of Time Needed
The amount of time needed to clean your roof will largely depend upon:
- How much moss, lichen and dirt have built up over the years.
- The size of your roof
- Other factors, such as ease of access and the difficulty of working up there
If you get an experienced roof cleaning company to take a look at your home, then they should be able to give you an accurate estimate of how long it will take to complete the work.
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Why Is Roof Cleaning Important
As the roofing system is a considerable investment, roof cleaning should be a priority in your home maintenance and your roof maintenance list. Some significant benefits of roof cleaning and maintenance include:
- Keeping your family safe and comfortable inside
- Prolonging your roofing systems life
- Giving your roof a fresh new look
- Preventing pest infestations
- Allowing bigger energy savings
When Cleaning Is Not Enough
In some cases, the algae, fungus or moss growth is so severe that it has already caused significant damage to your roof. At this point, roof cleaning is not enough.
Angi advises that, If you are missing shingles, your shingles are more than 25 years old, there are no granules left on your shingles, tabs are flipping up or if the shingles are brittle, then yes, you likely need a roof replacement.
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How To Avoid Bad Tradesmen
Of course, you will want to make sure that you only ever employ experience and professional tradesmen for jobs like this. Worryingly, a quarter of Brits say that they have been ripped off by tradesmen at some point.
If you make a bad choice then you could end up with someone who cant do the job properly, over-charges you or even tries to take your money without doing anything.
To make a smart decision, you should take the following pieces of advice into consideration.
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Is Your Roof Due For A Cleaning
If you think your roof needs to be cleaned, or if youre not sure, Northwest Roof Maintenance can help! Our friendly and professional consultants will take a look at your roof and recommend only the services we know will benefit you and your roof. We never suggest unnecessary repairs or maintenance.
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Why Power Wash A House
Your roof cleaning cost is an investment in your home’s structure and condition, as is power washing of your home’s entire exterior. Note why it’s good for every homeowner to have their home pressure washed on a regular basis:
- Consistent cleaning of the home’s gutters, windows, exterior walls, pool deck, and outside concrete and paver stones can restore the color of painted concrete, brick walls, and paver stones, and remove unsightly streaks and dirt from exterior windows. Regular cleaning then enhances a home’s overall curb appeal, making those surfaces and materials seem new and in good repair.
- Power washing a house reveals areas of needed repair, just as it does with a roof! Cleaning a home’s exterior walls can reveal cracks in the brick or tears to aluminum siding, while power washing concrete driveways and walkways can also reveal cracks, chips, and other such damage.
- Built-up dust, dirt, mud, silt, grit, and grime can soften and otherwise damage brick, concrete, and patio stones. Dirty windows become thin and weak over time. Regular washing of these materials prolongs their life and reduces the need for otherwise unnecessary repairs.
- Power washing a home’s gutters removes built-up debris and grime that causes clogs. Clogged gutters allow rainwater to splash over their sides, damaging a home’s exterior walls and foundation. Clean gutters are especially important in tropical areas or those prone to heavy, frequent storms, to help avoid this water damage.