Neglecting the health of your roof can lead to damage that may be expensive to repair and could even cause loss of personal property from intrusion of water and mold. Putting in effort to do annual inspections and cleaning can go a long way in helping you prevent long-term issues with your roof it. A roof that is kept clean and well-maintained will add years to its life and value to your home. Here is some helpful information to consider when it comes to the maintenance of your roof.
Inspection Tips:
Check for overgrown trees and bushes and consider trimming back overgrowth at least 1-2 feet from your home. Be sure to remove any dead branches before they become a hazard to your home.
Check the condition of gutters and downspouts. Are they full of debris? Are they clogged? You want to have free and clear, open flowing gutters and downspouts.
Check for clogged or blocked vents. You want to ensure that your ventilation systems are working properly. Visually inspecting roof vents and fixtures, as well as soffit vents for blockages can deter moisture buildup in roofs and attics.
Look for any loose, bent or broken flashing. Flashing serves as a weatherproof to joints making your roof fully resistant to wind and water intrusion. Any that are not functioning properly should be repaired to avoid further damage when high winds, rain or other severe weather is present.
Look for areas that appear moist, warped or severely weathered. This is usually a sign of moisture intrusion. Long-term, localized moisture is your worst enemy and it should be investigated immediately. There should also be no areas of pooling water.
Look for any type of growth. Moss, algae or related unattractive stains and growth can cause damage when left long-term.
Things to consider when having your roof cleaned:
Consider hiring a professional. Hiring a professional is the most efficient way to ensure your roof will be cleaned in the safest manner possible. Professional roof cleaners are knowledgeable about the chemicals, methods and procedures used to clean each type of roof; whether it be asphalt, metal, clay and wood tile, or concrete.
Avoid pressure washing. Pressure washing may cause a lot of damage, particularly to roofs like asphalt or tile where components can easily be pushed out of place by the strong stream of water. Pressure washing can also void your roofs warranty. Your roof might look good after a pressure washing but it's really just a band-aid fix, especially when issues like moss and algae growth are present.
Know about the chemicals that are being used to clean your roof. Whether you are doing it yourself or you have hired a professional, you want to ensure the chemicals being used are safe for your home, the landscaping around your home, and also any children or pets in the home. Not only can some chemicals be unsafe, they can also damage your roof and even void your roofs warranty.
Roof cleaning is not an overpriced service. Roofing cleaners typically charge a fair price, especially considering the aforementioned cost of roof replacement. When you consider the importance of the service, plus the amount you'll end up spending without it, it is well worth the cost of hiring a professional should you choose to have your roof professionally cleaned.
Yes, one can clean the roof if they want to save the cost of hiring roof repair experts for doing that job. Else, if they don't have time then it's better to contact roofing contractors for cleaning services.