One reason to clean your roof is to extend the life of your shingles or other roofing material. While algae isn’t harmful to asphalt shingles, moss is, according to ARMA. … Luckily for you, the National Roofing Contractors Association advises against any DIY work on your roof, including cleaning it.
Should you clean your roof?
Cleaning a roof is a lot cheaper than a full or even partial roof replacement which of course is costly. The longer you leave moss and algae on your roof, the more damage will be caused. We advise people to have their roof cleaned sooner rather than later when moss build up is noticed.
How often should you wash your roof?
Generally, it is a good idea to get your roof cleaned by professionals once a year. This is often enough to where if problems develop, they can be caught early on. If you have a roof that is in good shape or was just recently installed, then you may only need a roof cleaning once every two years or so.
What happens if you don’t clean your roof?
If the gutters cannot move water away from your home, it starts to accumulate on the roof, causing damage like mold and rot. As the damage spreads, you could end up with severe structural damage to the attic and supports. Damaged foundation. … On top of that, you’ll end up with mold.
Is it okay to pressure wash your roof?
NEVER aim your pressure washer up the roof, as it can push water under the shingles. Spraying water under your shingles can both tear off the shingles and force water under them and into your home.
Should you clean moss off your roof?
To avoid expensive repairs, moss should be removed from your roof tiles quickly if it is covering a significant area of your roof. Avoid pressure washing your roof to remove moss, as this could cause damage to the tiles and lead to the drenching of your roof interior.
What do black streaks on roof mean?
The black streaks running down roofs are actually a hardy algae called Gloeocapsa magma. As the blue-green algae accumulate, they develop a dark, hardened outer coating, which results in the black stains you see. The algae feed on the limestone in shingles.
How much does it cost to soft wash a roof?
Cost to Soft-Wash a Roof
Soft-washing a roof costs $0.20 to $0.60 per square foot. This process includes using low-pressure hoses, scrub brushes and cleansers.
When should I pressure wash my roof?
A homeowner should never wait until they see lines of algae or moss along roofing shingles or roof edges to schedule power washing for their home. Note why that is, and when you should have your home’s roof washed: Algae, moss, mold, and mildew grow best in damp, dark spaces, away from air and sunlight.
Does cleaning your roof damage it?
Roof Cleaning is a Regular Part of Roof Care
Neglecting your roof can lead to creeping damage that may be expensive to repair and could cause loss of personal property from intrusion of water and mold. Doing at least an annual cleaning and inspection will go a long way to prevent long-term issues with your roof.
How do I get black streaks off my roof?
A mixture of trisodium phosphate (TSP), bleach, and water will also remove stains. Oxygen bleach lightens stains as well and is less harmful to the environment, but it doesn’t produce as immediate or dramatic an effect as chlorine bleach. Roof cleaned with oxygen bleach (left) and chlorine bleach (center).
What happens if you never clean gutters?
If gutters are not cleaned and water overflows from the gutters, it will fall along the foundation of the building. This can soften the soil under and around it which will lead to foundation cracks. … In extreme cases, water damage can cause structural failure in a building.
How do I keep my roof clean?
Roof Maintenance Tips To Make Your Roof Last As Long As Possible
- Clean the Gutters. …
- Remove Leaves. …
- Get Rid of Moss. …
- Trim Overhanging Branches. …
- Prevent Ice Dams. …
- Look and Listen.
Is soft washing a roof safe?
This has been said to effect roofs severely and can take up to 10 years off the life of a roof. Soft washing is the only way to effectively remove this algae without damaging the shingles and voiding any warranty. … Pressure washing a roof, even at low pressure, can and will void your warranty and cause granular loss.
Can you power wash Moss off a roof?
Don’t be tempted to rush getting the moss off faster by having someone power-wash your roof, or scrub in the bleach solution, or brush or scrape off the moss — even though you may find advice on the Web recommending these as long as you are gentle. … Then the roofing is likely to fail prematurely.