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.

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, 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.

You can also call a roof cleaning service, to help you in appropriate roof cleaning method.

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

Can you use a pressure washer on a roof? Though most homeowners often remember to clean their home's exterior with a pressure washer, they usually overlook their roofs. According to many folks, pressure washing is not a good way to clean a roof. This is because they believe that pressure washing can cause water to penetrate the space between the roof and cause significant damages.

Others believe that it's not safe to pressure wash a roof, which is because their roofing may have been damaged as a result of irresponsible roof cleaners doing a poor job. However, it is safe to pressure wash your roof provided the process involved is handled right.

How Often to Pressure Wash Your Roof

Over the years, your roof accumulates dirt and moss. These things if left for long can easily damage your roofing, and hence make the entire value of your home to reduce drastically. One of the best ways to maintain a roof is removing dirt and moss with high-pressure water.

For your roof to stand the test of time and service you for many years if not decades, on average, it is recommended to clean it using a pressure washer once every two years. However, if you are in an area that experiences heavy storms more often, you may need to pressure wash your roof at least once per year or more frequently.


Benefits of Pressure Washing a Roof

Keeping your roof in good shape is very important if you want to improve or maintain the value of your property. Several benefits come along with pressure washing your roof including:


1. Higher Property Value

If you are planning to sell your home soon, cleaning your roof with a pressure washer can make a great difference. Pressure washing the roof will give your home curb appeal and make your property attractive to potential buyers.


2. Increasing Your Roof's Life Span

Pressure washing is an incredible way to get rid of debris, leaves, and bacteria that can make your roof wear and tear up quickly. If you pressure wash your roof regularly, it means you are keeping the roof clean and well-maintained to give you more years of service.


3. A Polished Appearance

Pressure washing your roofing is a cost-effective method to give your property a renovation without necessarily spending a lot of money. Cleaning your roof with a pressure washer will transform how your home looks to your neighbors and hence stand out.


4. Avoid or Eliminate Damage

Growth patches and stains caused by mildew, mold, fungus, and algae can wear down a roof through wood rot and shingle deterioration. Both lead to costly repairs but frequently pressure washing your roof can help eliminate or minimize this potential damage.


Wrap Up

Pressure washing a roof also has its negative effects. With some types of roofs, using a pressurized machine to directly apply, super-charged spurts of water is not often a wise decision. Therefore, it is important to consult a pressure washer expert to find out if pressure washing is a good alternative to clean your specific kind of roofing.


The best way to pressure wash your roof is to hire experienced cleaning experts to handle the process involved. This because they know the best washing techniques and are equipped with the right tools.

Some chores seem easy to do by yourself but roof cleaning is definitely not one of them.

There are several very good reasons why it is not advisable to act on the question; "Can I clean my roof myself?"

1. You DO NOT want to fall

Assuming that you are not afraid of heights (you wouldn't even try to take this task on if you are deathly afraid of heights!) there is still a very high risk of falling and hurting yourself.

Some roofs might not be as solid as they were initially and deterioration can cause an accident. Since cleaning roofs may not be your actual profession, you may not be aware of the precautions to take.

Professional cleaners are drilled about safety and precautions before they are hired to work.

Aside from falling, there are other ways that you can hurt yourself up on your roof. If your roof has a slope, the slope can put you off balance and you can twist your ankle, get scrapes or scratches and even hurt your back.

Debris on the roof can cause you to slip while protrusions might trip you.

2. You Could Damage Your Roof

You could damage your roof and this can turn out more expensive than hiring a professional roof cleaning service.

Older roofs may have deteriorated or termites might have compromised the integrity of the wooden structure holding up the roof.

Stepping on the wrong place might result in damaging the roof or, worse, you falling through and creating a hole.

3. Equipment Rental

Roof cleaning equipment and materials are sometimes specialized for efficiency and safety. You may have to rent expensive equipment and buy expensive materials to clean your roof on your own.

Professional cleaners already have their equipment and materials to serve your needs.

4. Time Consuming

You might not realize this but the roof is wider than you might think. It takes time to clean it especially if you are meticulous and thorough.

Roof cleaners who are experienced and experts at this chore are likely to be more efficient than you when it comes to cleaning. You will save time if you hire professionals for the job.

5. Insects and Animals

One of the more dangerous risks that could happen to you if you opt to clean the roof is encountering animals and insects that have made your roof or parts of it their home. Small animals and insects do not appreciate being disturbed and might attack you causing you harm. In your haste to retreat, you might have an accident. You might encounter the following on the roof:

• bees
• wasps
• raccoons
• squirrels
• rats
• chipmunks
• opossums
• birds
• bats???

6. Expertise and Experience

Professionals in the business have the experience and expertise since they clean several roofs in a month. Nothing beats experience when it comes to a professional cleaning service.

Some services also require their workers to go through various seminars and workshops to enhance their knowledge.

​They should be well-versed in updated methods and techniques to deal with any issues that come with cleaning roofs. Roof cleaning is one of the chores that should be left to the professionals.

Checkout this related article about, taking good care of your roof.