Maintenance Guide for Extending Your Roof’s Life

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by Kyle Ray

Cleaning and maintaining your roof regularly can extend its life. Pressure washing Houston TX is an effective cleaning method for many projects but may not be the best choice for your roof. The information in this maintenance guide can help you avoid damage that may shorten the life of your roof. 

Clean and Inspect Your Roof Regularly

Dirt, sap, and other debris can accumulate on the roof of your home. In addition to looking unattractive, this debris can lead to the growth of moss or lichen. Because of moisture retention, moss and lichen growth can cause severe damage to your roof. Additionally, unmitigated moss growth may void your warranty or cause denied claims or coverage on your homeowner’s insurance policy. 

Clean your roof regularly to preserve its appearance and function. A clean, well-maintained roof can also increase the resale value of your home. Have a roof cleaning Houston and roof inspection performed twice a year to keep your roof in good condition and uncover any issues that need to be addressed. These regular cleanings and inspections make it possible to prevent some problems from occurring and spot others early when they are smaller and less expensive to repair. Finding problems early gives you more time to make any applicable warranty claims. Autimn and spring are the best times for inspection and cleaning because the weather conditions in the summer and winter can cause damage to your roof. 

Tile Roof Pressure Washing Houston

How To Perform a Roof Inspection        

A visual inspection of your roof should be done twice a year and after any major weather event. When inspecting your roof, look for any of these conditions:

  • Rust spots on the flashing
  • Cracked or damaged caulking around the flashing
  • Missing, broken, buckled, curling, or blistered shingles
  • Grit from the roofing material in the gutters
  • Worn or cracked rubber boots around the vent pipes
  • Lichen or moss

Some types of roofs, such as steep-slope roofs, may not be safe to walk on. If you can not perform a roof-level inspection safely, you may want to consider doing a ground inspection with binoculars or hiring a roofing professional to perform the inspection for you.

How To Clean Your Roof

Use heavy rubber gloves to remove debris and dirt from snow guards, valleys, gutters, and behind the chimney. Use a roof rake to help remove debris from areas that you can not reach. Trim any branches that are overhanging your roof. Remove mold, moss, mildew, and algae with a gentle cleaning product that is safe to use on your roof. Pressure washing Houston TX is not recommended for most roof types. However, a pressure washing company Houston, such as Geek Window Cleaning, may be able to employ other safe cleaning techniques.

Cleaning Asphalt Shingles

Roofs with asphalt shingles are the most popular type of roofs in the United States. Because of the low maintenance requirement, this roof does not usually need a special maintenance plan. However, you should avoid pressure washing and bleach because it can damage the shingles. If you spot a large number of granules from your shingles in your gutters, this may be an indication that your roof will need to be replaced soon.

Shingled roof Pressure Washing Houston

Cleaning Other Roofing Types

Some roofing types, such as clay tile, wood shake, and slate shingle, can be fragile and easily damaged by walking on them or cleaning with a power washer. Metal roofing is more durable but can be prone to rust or discoloration if improperly cleaned. Whatever type of roof you have, it is important to ensure that the products and techniques you use to clean it will not cause damage. 

Professional Roof Washing

Because pressure washing Houston TX can damage many roofs, you should use a professional cleaning service that offers soft roof washing technology. Our team at Geek Window Cleaning can safely remove unsightly mold and algae using our low-pressure technology. 

Restore Your Roof Today

A roof that’s not cleaned regularly can become damaged and may even lower the resale value of your home. Geek Window Cleaning can use our soft washing technique to safely remove debris, mold and algae before it damages your roof. Give us a call at 713-581-4963 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. 

Maintenance Guide for Extending Your Roof’s Life | Geek Window Cleaning