How To Clean Your Roof

Cleaning a roof is a project homeowners should embark on one to two times a year. If you do not know how to clean your roof, you can find out here. If your roof is neglected, it could create problems down the road that become a headache to fix, so why not learn how to clean your roof here and get the job done?

A roof should not only be cleaned to prevent further damage but also because a clean roof is more aesthetically pleasing. There are multiple benefits to cleaning your roof, many of which you don’t want to be missing out on.

When is the best time of year to clean your roof?

Typically, the best time of year to clean your roof is in the spring. Winter weather can put extra stress on your roof with all the snow and ice. Cleaning your roof in the spring allows you to kill two birds with one stone as you can inspect your roof for any damage that may have been caused, while you clean it. Be sure to check the condition of your membrane when cleaning your roof: the dirtier the membrane, the higher the surface temperature.

If you are staying on top of your roof cleaning, the next best time of year to clean your roof is in the fall. Summer heat and humidity can cause mold and algae to build up.

What should you do to prep your roof for cleaning?

Once you get up on your roof, check your roof for debris. Any debris that is up there needs to be removed. If you leave debris on your roof, when the next storm rolls in, you don’t want that debris blowing around up there ripping your roof up. Roof experts will tell you what kind of damage roof debris can cause and the benefits of keeping your roof clean.

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How do you get rid of mold?

Mold or algae build up on roofs don’t make anyone happy. The best way to get rid of them is to use a half water half bleach solution. After you check your roof for any damage and removed all debris, wet the foundation with regular water – plants don’t like bleach. Use the bleach and water solution to get any algae areas cleaned. The bleach should get the build up to come off easily. After you’ve sprayed it all down, rinse it with regular water once again to finish it off.

In order to fully understand mold and algae build ups you will need to do some extra research. To prevent mold and algae from building back up, consider lining underneath the top layer of shingles (layer closest to the roof peak) with zinc or copper. Use a 6-inch-wide strip, placing it in such a way that an inch or two is left exposed to the weather. This will allow the zinc or copper to flow down onto more of the roof if a storm comes, blocking the mold or algae from building back up.