Roof cleaning is essential to maintaining the health of your home. Professional roof cleaning will not only restore the curb appeal of your house, but it will remove moss and algae that build up on your roof and endanger the integrity of the structure. Understanding why your roof needs cleaning and how often it should be done are important for every homeowner.

Why Roof Cleaning is Important to Your Home

Every homeowner knows that a dirty roof is an eyesore, but what many don’t realize is that all that dirt and grime can actually damage your home. Moss, algae, and lichen can strip away the protective oils on shingles, causing your roof to warp and crack in the sun, eventually opening up holes for water to leak into your home and damage the structure.

Dirty roofs also lead to clogged rain gutters and downspouts, which can back up water and create standing pools of mold and mildew, as well as increase the chance of flooding.

Roof cleaning by a professional service will remove moss and algae buildup, restoring the curb appeal of your home and ensuring the longevity of one of the most vital surfaces of your house.

Why You Need Roof Cleaning:

• Remove Moss, Lichen, Algae, and Mildew
• Remove Bird Droppings
• Maintain the Integrity of Your Roof
• Prevent Erosion & Warping of Shingles
• Prevent Destruction of Roof Support System
• Stain Removal
• Prevent Wood Rot
• Prevent Rainwater Leakage
• Prevent Paint Corrosion
• Restore Curb Appeal
• Increase Lifespan of Your Roof

How Often Should I Have My Roof Cleaned?

There are a number of factors that contribute to a dirty roof. Which is why every house is different. Perhaps your home needs a roof cleaning once every few years, while your neighbor may need a roof cleaning service every fall.

Factors like the amount of rainfall you experience during the year, the number of trees in your yard or nearby areas, the type of roofing you have on your home, how well your home is shaded, all of these play a role in the buildup of moss, lichen, algae and debris.

For example, a home that is surrounded by trees (and is thus well-shaded) and experiences heavy rainfall will likely have a large amount of leaves, twigs and branches on its surface. Organic matter allows moss and mildew and grow and spread. With little sunlight breaking through to the roof, water will not evaporate quickly. Moisture and standing water are the engines for the growth of moss and bacteria, and are the greatest factor in eroding the integrity of your roof.

To know how often your roof needs to be cleaned, the single best thing you can do is pay attention to your roof. If it looks like it needs cleaning, then it is probably time to call a professional. Be aware though that you cannot always see moss and algae buildup, especially because it can grow underneath the shingles where it is out of sight.

Should I Hire a Professional Roof Cleaning Service?

Many homeowners want to tackle roof cleaning entirely on their own, and there’s 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.

Knowledge and Experience

A professional roof cleaning service will understand how to properly evaluate the needs of your roof. Roofs come in many shapes and sizes and are made from a wide variety of materials: metal, stone-coated steel, asphalt shingles, slate, rubber slate, clay tile, concrete tile, etc. The list goes on and on. A professional will know exactly what methods will work best for your roof, and they will know which methods will damage your roof.

Many homeowners mean well when they attempt a DIY roof cleaning, and only later do they realize that the methods they chose damaged their roof.

A professional roof cleaning service will also know how to spot damage that already exists, warped shingles and holes and other trouble spots. They will know the best ways to patch these problems to ensure the health of your roof.

Professional Equipment and Supplies

Professional roof cleaning services will utilize high-quality industrial pressure washers that will fully remove moss, lichen and algae from your roof. No water hose can compete with a professional pressure washer. Plus, a pro will understand the proper use of the equipment, knowing just how much pressure to use and on which kinds of surfaces, so that no damage is done to your home.

A professional roof cleaning service will also use environmentally friendly cleaning supplies that will remove moss and algae down to the root without destroying either your roof or the surrounding greenspace.

Preventing Future Buildup

Most homeowners will find that they can extend the time between roof cleanings by simply taking care of their roofs a couple times a year. Just as your gutters and downspouts need regular attention, removing the debris from your roof on a regular basis can prevent future buildup.

• Remove fallen leaves and other organic matter
• Remove twigs and branches
• Trim tree branches back away from roof
• Regularly clean gutters and downspouts
• Ensure proper airflow over your roof to prevent debris from being driven under shingles
• Patch holes, punctures and problem areas