how often should i clean my roof?

How Often Should I Clean My Roof?
Roof cleaning is an integral part of exterior maintenance. The answer behind this question lies on what type of roof you have, because different types of roof have different maintenance and cleaning requirements. Furthermore, you should also take into consideration the environmental factors such as weather, lifetime of your roof, condition of your roof, as well as the trees and plants surrounding your house.

According to roofing contractors, it is advisable to clean your roof every 3-5 years. However, it is important to keep in mind that when you wet concrete tile roofs with barrel, brushed, s-tile or flat rough finish, the surface of your roof may take quite some time before it completely dries. As a result, concrete types of roofs may require cleaning every 2-3 years, unlike new tiles which would only require cleaning after 5 years.

TIP: be careful with using pressure washing because it may erode the surface of your roof, which would require you to clean your roof more often.

As for the fragile asphalt shingle type of roof, they would only require cleaning after every seven (7) years. Moreover, these asphalt shingles tend to dry faster compared to the latter type of roof. However, one perceivable downside of this type of roof is that high or low pressure washing may destroy their fragile surface, and remove its sandy gravel exterior finish. This will result in the exposure of tar paper under the heat of the sun, which will only make it more brittle and dry after some period of time.

According to the Roof Cleaning Institute of America, instead of using pressuring washing for your roof--which can cause more harm than good to your roof and to your wallet--it is advisable to use a spray-type biodegradable solution in cleaning your roof. These biodegradable solutions are made to adhere with the surface of the roof, in order to minimize the runoff.


Importance of Cleaning Your Roof

Dirt and natural elements:

• Moss
• Algae
• Lichen/fungus

The appearance of green and dark stains are the result of these substances. The growth and spread of these substances can shorten the overall lifespan of your roof.

Moreover, these organisms can cause damage to your roof as it eats up the material of the surface of your roof. With proper cleaning and maintenance, you can avoid roof repairs and unnecessary expenses from piling up, as a result of insect invasion and various organisms on your roof.

The good news is, these substances can be spotted easily. So it is important that once you have noticed any signs of moss, algae, lichen or fungus on your roof, make sure to find a reputable company that offers roof cleaning using a biodegradable solution. Another option would be a do-it-yourself roof cleaning which involves a mixture of bleach and water. However, this method can cause damage to nearby trees and plants.

Helpful Tips:

• Regularly clean your gutters
• Regularly trim the branches of nearby trees
• Clear off the accumulated debris in the surface of your roof