A clean roof does more than boosting the aesthetics of a house; it prevents damage.
Regardless of how strong your roofing materials are, though, constant exposure to environmental hazards such as dust and chemicals can significantly affect their durability.
If you use iron sheets for your roofing, like many homeowners, exposure can accelerate the rate of rusting.
In the long run, it’ll not only affect the appearance of your home, but it’ll also put a risk on the lives of those living in that building.
You do a lot to keep your house looking fresh and clean.
You mow the lawn, plant flowers, power wash the deck, shovel the walkway, and repaint the exterior walls and fence.
But you forget your house has a roof that also requires your attention.
Only because it’s up there, your roof doesn’t repair and maintain on its own, and it deserves the same care you offer to your property.
In fact, it’s vital to keep it because cleaning and maintaining it can prevent costly damage.
Of course, it’s recommended that you find experienced roofers to do repairs and other maintenance procedures.
However, that’s not to say you can’t do a thing or two on your own. For instance, cleaning doesn’t require a lot of expertise.
You’ll still need a few essential tools, though, to ease your job. Read on to learn more.
Contents
Ladder
For any cleaning task to be successful, you should be able to access the area that requires such attention.
The easiest and safest way of getting to the roof, for most buildings at least, is through a ladder.
You can use a pair of binoculars to check the condition of the roof and evaluate the work required from the ground level, but for getting up there and cleaning it, you need an access route, and the ladder provides it.
The right tool gives you flexibility and guaranteed safety to allow you to restore the condition of the gutters and shingles.
Get an extendable ladder that holds a higher than 300-pound capacity and made from a non-conductive material.
When you shop for ladders assure you get one in compliance with the OSHA roofing ladder standards regarding the cleats, rungs, steps, and weight.
It should bear both your tools and your body’s weight. Because you may use the ladder during winter, purchase one that has clip-resistant features to enhance stability while you are cleaning and brushing the roof shingles.
This model lowers the chances of falling or slipping.
Apart from all those impressive features, you’ll also want something that can last long enough to serve your needs.
For durability, it’s recommended that you get a ladder made from fibreglass with a lock system that prevents overextension.
Roof and Siding Cleaner for Mould and Mildew Removal
Now that you can access the roof in safety conditions let’s get a cleaner to remove the debris and mould from the shingles.
You can find various cleaning solutions on the market to clean stubborn stains without scrubbing.
Check in the store for a product that cleans the shingles and removes any mildew and mould.
Universal solutions are ideal for homeowners who want to use only cleaning treatment.
Look for one that doesn’t require scrubbing or brushing.
It would be best to pick an eco-friendly formula and keep the impact it has on the environment to a minimum.
Most roof cleaning solutions leave the shingles with a tired look, and as if the weather beat them for a long time.
Use a gentler one, bleach-free that maintains the look of the roof and removes the debris.
The material of the roof determines the product you can use.
Before purchasing one, confirm it doesn’t attach the concrete bricks, tile, metal, or any other material the roof is made of.
And don’t forget to check if you need to dilute the product with water before use.
Beware, that with some products it may take even two months to see results.
Shovel Roof Rake
If you want to clean the roof after a snowstorm, or at the end of the autumn to ensure the shingles are in proper condition for the winter, you may need a shovel roof rake.
This tool will help you remove snow and leaves from your roof without damaging the shingles.
You can find on the market telescopic brushes and rakes you can use from ground level to do the job fast and without using a ladder.
Check for one that extends out to over 21 inches, and it’s efficient and flexible enough to access all roof portions.
Check if the handle comes with a twist-and-lock extension mechanism to secure it in position.
It would be best if you had a shovel with a lightweight design to prevent your arms from getting tired while you remove the debris or snow from the market.
To get a clear view of what you’re doing, you might as well need to climb up your ladder when removing snow and leaves.
In such a case, you need the shovel to be as light as possible to allow you to move around and clean the roof freely.
Blade Snow Roof Rake
If the roof is old, it would be best if you avoid walking on the shingles because it can do more damage.
Use a 24-inch roof rake to clean the shingles and get them ready for the cold season.
You need a tool that allows you to clean the entire roof from a single point.
A telescopic roof rake had an aluminium handle with multiple sections. Depending on the flexibility the job requires, you can choose from a range of utensils.
Make sure the tool you use has an anti-slip handle to make the cleaning job effortless.
Even with impressive tools available on the market, when the roof is in poor conditions, it’s best to hire a professional to handle roofing maintenance to ensure the shingles won’t break.
What Causes the Roof to Get Dirty?
One of the main reasons you have to clean and maintain your roof is that the shingles are filled with debris.
Branches, sticks, leaves, and other types of debris fall or are blown onto the roof by birds and wind, and if you don’t remove them regularly, they can affect the integrity of the roof.
Most times rain rinses the shingles clean, but when the rain is late, you must clean the roof by yourself.
Also, sometimes an excess of debris is collected on the roof and can trap moisture and mould that gradually affects the shingles and decompose the material.
Moisturised debris creates a fertile environment for mould and rot, so remove it before it destroys the roof.
When left unfixed, debris causes extensive damage and can weaken even the interior of the house.
This makes regular maintenance and cleaning essential as a preventive measure against costly repairs.
Alongside the maintenance, you perform periodically, hire professionals to evaluate the condition of the roof and repair it, once a year.
They will address damage, and handle roof leaks to keep your house in top shape.
