Roof Cleaning: The Complete Guide for Portland Homeowners

 Just like we take care of the entire house and look after it, ensuring proper roof care shouldn't be left behind. With frequent maintenance you'll be able to make your sliding and yard appear like new, but over time the roof develops green and dark brown streaks.

Some of it is pollen and dirt or it can also be algae and lichen. When you're considering the roof cleaning methods, you shouldn't be quick about it.

​Many roof cleaning services are offered by roof cleaning Portland experts, but in a lot of instances, selecting wrong one voids warranty of the shingles and also leads to damage of roof underlays.

​In other instances, use of strong chemicals damages adhesive holding the particles with shingles and kill vegetation around the house.

​Using the right type of roof cleaning Portland service or roof washing and cleaning method lengthens the life of your roof and also cuts down your costs. 

Taking Preventive Maintenance Approach

This is a recommended approach to take as roof cleaning before and after measures, and is recommended by roofing professionals.
​
​The program involves roof cleaning with inspections twice annually, with the ideal time being autumn and spring.

With robust roof maintenance program you can easily preserve longevity of the roof while keeping the problems at bay. Frequent inspections and maintenance of house and commercial roof are vital for ensuring that all prospective issues get identified before reaching a point of crisis.

​It not only helps in prevention of catastrophes but is also provides ample of time to homeowners for introducing necessary expenses in their roof cleaning budget. Also homeowners get time for filing and processes vital warranty claims prior to repairs. 

Tailoring Your Roof Cleaning Program to Your Roof

Concrete and Clay Tile

Using high pressure washer roof cleaner equipment and harsh chemicals erode pain and tile coatings.
​
Roof cleaning makes it necessary for re-coating paint and seal for protection of roof from moss and dirt infestation.

​Avoid walking on roofs. When you want to be on tile roof, you can use plywood with foam treatment on underside.

Tiles can take on the form of efflorescence (chalk-like whitish covering) on drying. This is an outcome of salts getting crystallized after evaporation of water.

For removing efflorescence, you can try buffing the dry roof through a dry and clean cloth rug while roof cleaning.  

Read more about: How To Clean Your Tile Roof

Asphalt Shingles

While there are no special cleaning methods, one must make sure to avoid pressure wash asphalt single roofs as high pressure severally damages shingles.
​
Also it is advisable to avoid use of harsh products such as bleach resulting in discoloration or premature shingle degradation.

Also you need to check for asphalt shingles granules that can accumulate in gutters. While it is common on roofs, it can indicate older roof can near end of the lifespan.

Wood Shingle and Shake

Improper roof cleaning practices can cause damage to the wooden shingles and shakes. Also avoiding pressure roof washing is vital.

​Pressure washing results in wooden shingles and shakes to lift and they can also trap water beneath them resulting in leakage.

Also, use of harsh chemicals such as ammonia or bleach should be avoided as such products discolor metal fixtures and paint on roof and the runoff can also damage the lawn and garden.
​

Metal Roofing

​This is among the most durable roofing option, but while cleaning you should know that it is highly vulnerable to rusting and corrosion.

​Also it is vital to prevent different materials from touching each other. Chemical reactions between metals discolor and damage metals. You need to ensure that the metal roof is well-maintained and clean through use of products safe for metal type of your roof. 

Cedar Shake and Shingle

​Cleaning methods used for cedar shake roofs are quite similar to the wooden shingles. While cleaning it must be ensured that overhanging branches get trimmed from cedar roofs for preventing moisture and debris buildup. Also cedar should be clean for letting it breathe.

​During the biannual inspections professionals should check downspouts and gutters for cleaning. Adequate ventilation must be provided to the roof and ensure areas with ridge vents, louvers, soffit, and roof vents are free of blockages. 
​

Slate Shingles

Slate roofing cleaves easily and is water absorbent so it's best to have regular cleaning. Debris and moss buildup on slate roof hold moisture in slates splitting them in winter.

​While cleaning slate roof, make sure that no chlorine beach or ammonia is used. Also pressure washing method can break slates or draw water under slates resulting in leaks. 

Regular Roof cleaning

People who are getting professional help for roof cleaning will eventually know that cleaning process varies according to the roof type they've got.

It is because they're use different methods materials and tools for ​different types of roofs.

Regardless of what type of roof you've got, it's good to give it cleaning around twice a year around spring or fall season to see a noticeable difference roof cleaning before and after outcome.

How to Clean your Roof?

Pressure Wash

Roof power wash is among the most controversial roof cleaning methods and most people don't know "can you power wash a roof?"

​And if you're doing it by self or with the help of any inexperienced person, the result can be highly unsatisfying.

With too much pressure on water and also no proper roof inspection causes a lot of damage. Due to this reason roof repair and maintenance professionals recommend total roof inspection along with pressure testing before beginning the process of pressure washing for roof cleaning.

When professional roof cleaners notice areas with damaged tiles they choose to go for another roof cleaning method as they believe the roof won't withstand pressure washing. 

Using Chemicals

Cleaning can be done through sodium percarbonate solution or bleach, certain commercial and residential cleaning services use this method along with other chemical cleaning products.

Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association suggests the use of 50/50 sodium hypochlorite (household strength) and water for clearing out algae and moss. Additionally placing zinc strips near roof's peak can minimize moss and algae regrowth. 

Gutters

Regular cleaning is necessary also for gutters for removal debris like twigs and leaves.

​The conventional method for gutter cleaning manually scraping out debris through hands, but it is not quite efficient. Professionals use vacuum gutter cleaners and leaf blowers for roof gutter cleaning. 
​
Read  more about: Gutter cleaning practices

Rinsing

​To save on time and lower costs professional roof contractors spray roof with chemicals and rinse it of later. Also to save on cost in rainy areas, contractors rinse off one third of roof and let the rest clear out through rain.

Sealing and Painting

Sealing roof priming and roof painting is final task in the process of roof restoration. Single coat of primer or sealer gets applied with two paint coats. This also offers total protection for waterproofing, uplifts the beauty of your roof and is also environment friendly. 

Hiring Professional Roof Cleaners is a Great Investment for Home

​Timely professional roof cleaning and maintenance restores the appearance of your house roof and removes build-up of grime, soot dust along with other debris and different stains with discoloration areas.

he tiles and roofing shingles then appear vibrant and fresh so the whole house appears like new and clean.

With hiring a roof cleaning company in Portland homeowners also ensure that professionals use soft wash cleaning method which results in removal of mold, algae, mildew and moss that isn't reachable through pressure washer or conventional hose.

Surfactant and detergent used in soft pressure wash method can reach all small corners and distant areas in the roof, and dissolve debris and dirt in roof eaves and shingles.

Also low pressure rinse through roof cleaning Portland professionals doesn't damage granules and loose tiles on shingles, while protecting the tiles from storm residue damage.

Thorough roof power wash also reveals area damage along roof surface. A house roof can have soft sports, which calls out the need of structural repair.
​
But involving a professional roof cleaning service on the job homeowners see unnoticeable damaged areas for making prompt repairs and avoid roof leakages.

If you need help please, call us right away! (971) 284-3558