Washing your roof is one of the greatest challenges you might face as a homeowner. Roofs are high and usually steep so it’s not easy to maneuver and clean them at the same time. On the other hand, the tiles are home to many types of mold and bacteria, none of which you want to accidentally breathe in. According to the Peak Services team of professionals, these are some of the main reasons to consider pressure washing your roof. In other words, you’ll be cleaning your roof using high-powered jets of water. However, this is not as simple as it sounds, but the following guide will help your prepare everything you need.
Mold, algae, lichen, bird droppings, and many more things will reduce the effectiveness of your roof over time.
The benefits of pressure washing your roof
Before we dive in on how to become the expert on pressure washing, take a look at the following benefits it will bring you.
- Saving time and money – by far a more cost-effective solution to roof cleaning than a bucket of water and sponge, not to mention safer. In addition to that, with a good enough pressure wash, you won’t need to clean your roof more than one time per year.
- Protecting your health – as mentioned above, roof houses a variety of unhealthy tenants, and pressure washing will put you at a safe distance from them.
- Increases roof durability – bird droppings, harmful debris, and contaminants will corrode and damage your roof over time. By pressure washing them, you’ll prevent such and similar issues from befalling your roof.
- Cleans hard-to-reach places – there are some spaces that you can’t reach with a sponge no matter how hard you try. However, water can reach almost anywhere, even the smallest of spaces between two tiles.
As you can see, pressure washing is the best treatment you can give your roof. And it doesn’t matter if you want to do it by yourself or hire professionals. Either way, you will save money and reduce the times your roof would need to be repaired.
Step one: Choose your accessories
Your biggest ally in roof cleaning is your trusty pressure washer. Because it comes with many different options, it’s best to choose one with low pressure. Any attachment above 1,200 Psi will do your roof more harm than good. A 35-degree nozzle is perfect for the job. Next to secure is the cleaning solution. If you’re not sure which to choose, check with roof cleaning Las Vegas experts for advice. The right one should be of high quality, safe for pressure washers and your roof, as well as biodegradable.
Check out the condition of your roof before you begin cleaning it.
After you’ve secured the essentials, it’s time to take care of yourself as well. Never climb the roof without a sturdy ladder, protective gloves, or headgear. Make sure to apply sunscreen on revealed skin areas so you don’t suffer from sunburn. As an extra precaution, invest in slip-resistant shoes so you can more easily keep the balance on the roof and also not damage it while moving. Goggles and masks are good options as well if your roof is moss or lichen infested.
Step two: Prepare the roof for washing
Preparation is half the job, especially if you’re dealing with a hard to clean substances. In case you have black mold, instead of a green one, the best you can do is let it soak a day before cleaning. Choose chemicals and detergent that is designed to get rid of the infestation. While inspecting the roof, also check for tiles that would need to be replaced. This way you can do two things at the same time – clean and repair your roof. Even if you don’t have black mold, applying detergent before doing any washing will loosen lichen and algae as well. In other words, you’ll be able to remove them more easily.
No matter how much you enjoy pressure washing your roof, good bird control will prolong the life of your tiles.
Other than the mold, one of the biggest issues you will face when pressure washing your roof is bird droppings. However, unlike the mold, you can control the number of birds around your roof. There are special pigeon control Las Vegas services that keep the birds away from your home, and especially your roof. With the right physical barriers and deterrents, even the most stubborn bird will choose another roof to nest in. And the best part is you won’t have to worry about acid from bird droppings damaging your roof.
Step three: Start pressure washing your roof
The most important thing to remember is to start from the top and work your way to the bottom of the roof. There are two reasons for washing your roof this way. The first one is that it will damage the tiles or shingles of your roof. If you spray the water under them you will not only risk tearing them off but also getting the water into your home below. The second reason is that it will push all the waste you want to get rid of upwards, instead downwards. Down is where the gutter is and where all the debris and unwanted thing will be washed off.
Work smart, not fast. Slowly cover section by section of your roof. As mentioned above, use this time to check the roof for anything that needs to be replaced. Never adjust the pressure setting to get more power. Too much pressure and your roof will suffer damage. Instead, apply a more concentrated cleaner on that one spot you can’t wash. Also, if you want to move from your roof to another part of your house, check out these things that you should never pressure wash to avoid damage. In other words, don’t assume pressure wash will solve all your cleaning problems, no matter how low or high pressure you apply.
In the end, it’s crucial to remember not to overdo pressure washing your roof. It is a good cleaning solution, but using it more than once per year will severely reduce the lifespan of your roof. Should you feel unsafe while doing any part of the cleaning, don’t hesitate to reach out to the professionals for assistance.
