Roofs are generally the least thought about part of a house or building when cleaning. They’re hard to reach and you can’t really clean them properly without hiring a professional cleaning service. However, it’s very important to maintain your roof and get it cleaned every now and then. Not only does this enhance the appearance of your property, but it also extends the life of your roof. Algae, bird droppings, lichen, and other dirt can eventually cause damage to your roof, which will result in it needing repairs. To avoid this costly expense, here’s how Houston roof cleaning works.
Quick Guide For Houston Roof Cleaning
Roof cleaning can be a delicate task, risking the structural welfare of your roof. So it’s always better to hire an experienced professional to do the job. Here are some important things to keep in mind for Houston roof cleaning.
Roof inspections
You want to check the quality of your roof as often as possible. However, most professionals agree that having it checked annually by a highly qualified individual is adequate. It’s also important to bring in a professional to inspect your roof after bad storms.
This way they can evaluate the condition of the roof. They’ll be able to tell if there are any broken shingles or particularly worrying algae or mold developing. They can also report your roof health and work out long-term cleaning and maintenance plans for you.
Check the shingles
Individual shingles may come loose over time. That is why it’s important to check them before cleaning your roof. If you step on a loose shingle, you could injure yourself quite seriously, which is why it’s always best to hire a professional to perform this task along with the cleaning.
A professional will check to see if any shingles are missing or curled. They will also look for shed granules in the gutters. If they find them, it means that your asphalt shingles are shedding. In this case, your roof is not as protected as it should be and requires repairs.
Take care of your gutters
Your gutters are pivotal in taking care of your roof’s health. Before cleaning your roof, check that none of your gutters are blocked with leaves or such. Also, check for any cracks or leaks. If your gutters are in good shape then it makes it easier for water to drain and not damage your roof.
In order to avoid blocked gutters, check them as often as possible. The most important seasons to keep an eye on them are spring and fall. It may be a good idea to check your gutters for leaks and cracks twice a year.
Types Of Algae On Your Roof
Black stains or Algae may show up on your roof due to lack of sunlight and prolonged dampness. These are particularly common in the Houston area due to the high levels of humidity. Even then, it is important to contact a professional to help clean it. This is because there are a few different types of Algae or mold.
The two main forms of growth could be Fire Moss or Gloeocapsa Magma. When Fire Moss grows, it can push up your shingles. This damages the integrity of your roof as it lets water seep through. The Gloeocapsa Magma is typically what gives the black stain look on houses. It is the most common growth on Houston roofs and can seriously affect the health of your roof.
Because algae growth can cause damage to your roof, it is important that you get a professional cleaning service to take care of it before it gets out of hand. Otherwise, you will need to pay for more expensive roof repairs.
Houston Roof Cleaning
Can you use a pressure washer?
First things first, although some may encourage a pressure washer when cleaning your roof, avoid it all costs. This is particularly true for asphalt shingle roofs. The high pressure damages the roof by hitting the granules and washing them down the drain. This immediately speeds up the aging process for the roof.
It also invites other complications, such as compromising the quality of the roof. Whether it is a metal roof or an asphalt roof, the high-pressure effect on the roof can destroy the water-proofing system.
How to clean asphalt shingles
These roofs are quite particular when it comes to cleaning. When hiring a professional Houston Roof cleaner, make sure they use the right type of chemicals. By doing this and using a soft pressure watering system, you can drastically increase the lifespan of your roof.
You can easily damage an asphalt roof. As such, it’s best to hire a professional cleaning service. They will know what chemicals to use and “soft wash” your shingles. This enables them to effectively clean the algae on your shingles without causing damage.
How to clean a metal roof
When cleaning your metal roof, stay away from high-pressure washers. Your roof makes use of seamless or screw construction. These screws have rubber gaskets or metal caps for extra protection. By using a pressure washer, you will expose these spots and cause your roof to leak.
Instead, hire a Houston Roof cleaning professional who will use a combination of sodium hypochlorite and water to clean the roof. It is important not to leave this chemical mixture on your roof for too long as it could damage your roof.
A good professional cleaning service will start with a weaker combination of sodium hypochlorite and water and make it slightly stronger if it doesn’t get the algae off the first time around. Doing it this way, you put the least amount of chemical on your roof as possible – thereby minimizing the risk of damage.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning your roof is absolutely vital – especially in Houston where algae and other growths are so prevalent. By making sure your roof is well taken care of, you protect the integrity of your entire house. Moreover, there is no better feeling than having a beautiful well-taken roof to round off your house.
How To Properly Clean Your Houston Roof | Geek Window Cleaning
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