Check out these simple tips and tricks for cleaning asphalt shingle roof.
Asphalt shingle roofs are widely used throughout the country by many homeowners. And for good reasons!
They come in different designs, allowing them to be the perfect choice for different roofs with different angles – according to your very own preferences. They also have versatile color palette options, making them stand out even more!
However, without proper maintenance, asphalt shingles, no matter how aesthetic they may look, will eventually lose their attractiveness, and the beauty that they add to your home, will be gone too.
Hence, proper maintenance is the key to make your asphalt shingle roof last longer. Since they are exposed 24/7 to sun rays, wind, and storms, they will require cleaning every now and then.
So in this post, we’ll share with you key points that you should know when cleaning your asphalt shingle roofs.
Oh and by the way, you should also consider at least requesting a quote from a reputable roof cleaning company to make sure that the job is done safely!
What will happen if you won’t keep your roofs clean?
Let’s get this thing clear and straight first, so you’ll remember why a clean roof is a must in keeping your home nice and clean.
Besides the regular form of damage because of the harsh environment, you should be really concerned for the risk of moss growth.
Moss can continue growing in between the shingles. When it does, it will lift up the shingles in an extremely unnatural way. Debris will gather and build up. This also causes water build up. Now this can lead to a damaged roof and a leaking home.
Moss can also attach to other creatures – it can attach itself to birds, which can lead to the contamination of the roofs of the entire neighbourhood.
Honestly, I didn’t think moss can do that much damage. But it does! So if you don’t clean your roof regularly, moss will surely gather until one day you wake up and you already have water leaking inside your home. We don’t want that, right?
So let’s get that cleaning done!
How to clean and get rid of common damages in your roof
DISCOLORATION IN YOUR SHINGLE
Because your shingles are exposed to the outside environment, the dirt on the shingles can lead to discoloration. These are brown, black streaks on your roof.
To avoid discoloration of your asphalt shingle roofs, use a soft shower to remove the dirt from your roof and to get its color back!
MOLD AND MILDEW
Mold is caused by algae growth due to raining or humid weather. Algae, like lichens and moss, attach themselves to damp surface and start growing which eventually results in rotting. When rot sets in, more mold develops.
Roof cleaners help to clean off the roof and avoid the risk of mold build-up. Mix trisodium phosphate, water, and bleach to remove algae stains. You may prefer oxygen bleach since it lightens the stains and is not very harmful to the environment as well. But if you are looking for a quick fix, then you should go for chlorine bleach.
DEBRIS AND CHECKING FOR DAMAGE
These are twigs, fallen leaves, sticks and other similar dirt that must be regularly removed from the roofs in order to keep your roof clean and to avoid any sort of clog or blockage.
Debris can also find its way in between the roof tiles causing them to lift (just like the moss).
After every storm or wind situation, check your roof and clean it thoroughly so that there is no debris left behind to cause long term damages. During fall, be more aware of the gutter and the spaces – remove the debris properly.
Best Cleaning Tips for Your Asphalt Shingle Roof
What’s best? Doing it yourself or hiring a professional?
Professional cleaners are well trained, and they know exactly what type of damage your roof has sustained. If you are unable to assess the damage or if you are not ready to clean your roof yourself then you should hire a professional cleaner.
But if you have done your research and you are confident enough then you should gather the supplies to clean all the mold or debris chilling on top of your roof. Remember, the key is to save the shingles from long-term damage.
Cleaning products and tools
While you are researching the methods of cleaning your roofs you need to look and compare various cleaning supplies as well. You will find a lot of bleaches and acids for getting rid of mold or debris, but you need to make sure that those bleaches are not harmful to the environment.
As I mentioned earlier, oxygen bleach is lighter than chlorine bleach, but chlorine bleach is going to give you the best result from the very first wash.
Now it is entirely up to you to choose a cleaning supply which will meet your expectations without hurting the environment.
Method (low pressure cleaning, chemical cleaning, pressure washing)
There are three main ways to clean your roofs: Low pressure wash, chemical cleaning aka soft cleaning, and pressure washing.
Low pressure wash
This cleaning method revolves around high grade, environment friendly cleaning supplies which do not contain any sort of chemicals that can be harmful. These supplies are chlorine, phosphates free. They are chemically processed in a way that they do not clog the water pipes or damage the vegetation. This method does not also require vigorous brushing or scrubbing your roof so scratches are avoided.
Chemical cleaning
This method is mainly used to get rid of moss, lichens, and algae from your roofs. It requires chlorine bleach to kill the pesticides and to remove any sort of stain left behind. This is the least expensive method to clean your roofs. However, this method uses toxic chemicals that can cause problems once inhaled. A strong odor is left behind and it takes time for it to vanish completely.
Pressure washing
This is when pressurized water is sprayed on to the roof to remove mold, moss, and debris. This is a really fun method to remove dirt, but it can be very risky, so take caution. It may not be able to remove the dirt entirely though, and instead may cause damage to your roofs.
Now that you know the methods, check what type of asphalt shingle roof is installed in your home, and then clean it using the appropriate method.
Check for leaks.
If you have an attic, go up there and look for the leaks. You can spot the leaks by looking for the black spots, mold, or stains. If you do not have an attic then you will have to go on top of the roof to find the leaks.
Loose shingles
Shingles are supposed to lie flat on the surface; they should not be lifted or carved. While you are checking for the loose shingles, look also for clogged gutters.
Continuous inspection
After a harsh weather, do check your roof and if there is any debris or dirt you should remove it instantly. Look for mold growth and immediately act accordingly in order to avoid excessive mold growth.
Keeping our roofs clean is our responsibility.
Maintenance is really the key to keeping your asphalt shingle roofs good for a long period of time. And since our roofs protect us, it is our responsibility to keep them clean and mold free!
Keep the above-mentioned tips in your mind whenever you are planning a roof cleaning session. If this is your first time, it will require a lot of research and patience of course! It’s hard at first, but just like any other endeavor, it gets better as you become more experienced in doing it.
Now if you can’t do it yourself, either because cleaning a roof is not your thing (me too), or you just don’t have the time for it, you can always ask for help and let someone else do it for you. It’s really just that simple!
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