Did you know your roof gets more than just rainwater and sunlight on them? Mosses, lichens, algae, ferns, mold, mud, and dried leaves could be around your shingles and must be cleaned off, or they will damage your roof. A method you could try is pressure washing your roof to get this dirt off.
The big question then becomes whether pressure washing your roof is a good or bad idea and making a choice between doing it yourself and getting a professional who not only has an idea on how to pressure clean your roof but is also an expert at it.
Your safety declines when you climb the ladder; it declines again once you set foot on the roof and drops even more if you step on the slippery part of the roof. How do you get the work done if you worry about your safety? I say hire a professional who knows what and how to pressure wash your roof. If you’re in need of further information about roof cleaning, visit here.
For those who don’t know about pressure washing, it can also be called power washing, and it uses a high-or-low-pressure water spray to remove dirt from surfaces like your roof.
How Does Cleaning with a Pressure Washer Work?
So, can you clean a roof with a pressure washer? Yes, you can, and how does it work? A biodegradable pressure washer-safe detergent of good quality is poured into the roof area that needs cleaning. This detergent is to help loosen the dirt (algae, mosses, lichen, etc.). The pressure wash is then used to wash and rinse off the loosened debris.
The tricky part about this cleaning method is figuring out when to use low and high pressure. An important tip is that shingles can not handle too much pressure because the protective granules on the shingles can be stripped off or the shingles completely removed by heavy pressure.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Pressure Washer?
It is a step-by-step and section-by-section process, so when one section is dry, another is soapy wet to avoid the soapy wet areas. According to HomeAdvisor, pressure washing the roof costs $0.20 to $0.60 per square foot.
Professional roof washers use a pressure washer with an onboard detergent tank which they control with an on and off switch. Renting this equipment and cleaning yourself will cost you more than hiring a professional.
Does Cleaning Your Roof Damage It?
Another important piece of information to take note of so you’re not scammed by fraudulent people disguised as roof cleaners is to avoid using a pressure washer to wash your tile or slate roofs. Let no one try to confuse and tell you otherwise because a pressure washer will damage their surfaces.
If you do this and your roof gets damaged, its recommendable to contact roof professionals like G&A Certified Roofing North.
Dirt-like mosses and lichen are not dangerous on tile or slate roofs, but they should be removed and cleaned off without pressure washers if their growth becomes extreme.
The next big concern is, “will pressure washing affect my shingles?” This will happen only when untrained personnel try pressure cleaning their roof themselves.
The Frequency at Which You Should Pressure Wash Your Roof
It is recommended to pressure wash your roof an average of two or three years, except that the places are frequently hit by heavy storms; it must be done more frequently. When you notice dark patches on your roof, it indicates that mold is growing and should be taken care of as soon as possible.
The time to get your roof pressure cleaned is dependent on the roofing materials; as mentioned earlier, a high-pressure wash could damage your asphalt composite shingle roof, so a soft-pressure wash is recommended. The same goes for your clay or ceramic tile roofs. Sealing the tiles with a protective coating is mostly used to depress the growth of moss and other organisms.
The pressure needed to wash an asphalt roof shouldn’t be above 30 psi like a garden sprayer. Still, professionals use several special types of equipment so the sprayer can reach the entire roof, including a special non-toxic cleaner, so the shingles or metal fastenings are not harmed in the process.
A part of the roofing system could inhabit leaves and other debris in the rain gutters, but unlike the asphalt and tile roofs requiring low-pressure wash, a mid-to-high-pressure wash is most recommended to have the gutters and downspout cleaning.
Most importantly, how can you tell the amount of pressure to use and for what material? Is it worth it? Cleaning the roof, using a pressure washer, hiring a professional? I bet you it is highly important. Did you know washing your roof at all increases the value of your home? The life of your roof reduces energy costs and saves you money.
Why Invest in Roof Cleaning
- The organisms that grow on the roof eat away the base of our shingles, which loosens their foundation, and causes your roof to become porous and be prone to water damage.
- Algae and fungus are only dormant during winter and need professional pressure washing services to stop them from growing.
- The roof can help determine whether a buyer should choose to buy your house or not, a stain on the roof can raise suspicion about underlying structures.
- Algae, mold, and fungus on a roof absorb more heat because of their black pigmentation and photosynthesis, which could cause the roof to increase in temperature, thereby increasing energy costs because your air conditioner must work 2 times more than usual.
- An option that involves cleaning your roof without a pressure washer is using chemicals to get rid of mosses and other organisms. This method doesn’t require water and pressure, so your tiles won’t be damaged, but patience is important as it might take a while before the result can be seen. After the chemical has been added, the organism will not grow for 3 to 4 years.
