Roof cleaning is among the most important roof maintenance tasks, a simple way to prolong your roof’s lifespan and to preserve its attractive appearance. The process of removing any dirt and debris from the roof surface as well as from the building components that are adjacent to the roof, such as the gutter pipes, is essential for preventing decay, for catching and correcting any roof fault while it is still small and easy to remedy. The process is also quite simple, but work performed high up, in awkward body positions might seem scary to many property owners. Here are a few things that you should know about the process to make it easier for you to decide whether to clean your own.
Your Safety Comes First
You should attempt roof cleaning on your own only if you have the right type of safety equipment and you are willing to use it, too. Proper, comfortable work clothes, a helmet, work-gloves and non-slip work shoes or boots are essential, just like the set of safety harnesses anchored properly to a secure point on the roof. It is also very important to know where you are stepping – not all roofs are intended for stepping on or for walking on, so make sure to step only where it is perfectly safe to do so.
A Recurring Process
Ideally, roof cleaning is done twice a year, once in spring, to remove the debris left behind by the past winter, and again in fall, to prepare the roof for the hard, cold months. However, it is a good idea to include at least an inspection session after each storm, to check for any damage that needs your attention and to remove any clog caused by the storm in the gutter pipes and in the roof vents. It is also a good idea to remove excessively thick blankets of snow in winter, too – snow and ice can be very heavy, so you should try to relieve your roof whenever you consider that the blanket of snow on the roof surface is too thick.
How to Do It Right
You can clean your roof using a broom or a brush on a long stick and you can use a roof rake to remove any excess snow, but beside these mechanical methods, there are two others that you can use, too: pressure washing and cleaning with the use of chemicals. Pressure washing is, obviously, performed with the help of a pressure washer that lifts and rinses away all the debris that has accumulated on your roof. The technique is used mainly on roofs made from cement and clay tiles and on metal roofs – asphalt shingles can be easily damaged by pressurized water. The other process (the use of chemicals) also requires you to be very careful – make sure that the chemicals used are suitable for the roof type and turn to a reliable and reputable seller for your products.
If any of the above aspects make you wonder whether DIY roof cleaning is a good idea, don’t do it – hire professional Castle Rock roofing companies. Your roof specialist will know exactly what method to use and how to perform the cleaning in perfect safety.