What Happens During A Roof Cleaning? |
Posted: December 2, 2021 |
One of the first things you’ll notice about a house is its roof. The roof gives your house some serious curb appeal. Friends and family alike will swoon over your classic Spanish tiles. Neighbors will ask how the architect envisaged the elegant slope lines. All this could be for naught if your roof is dirty and untidy. A roof cleaning may be in order but what could happen when you’ve made up your mind to do so? Let’s have a look at some of the more salient points… Types Of Roof CoveringThere are multiple types of roof coverings. ABC Roofing discusses them below. Tiled and Shingled RoofsTiles look beautiful. They are hard-wearing and can exhibit eye-catching patterns. Depending on what they’re made of, they’ll put up a pretty good fight against wind and water. Tiles are mostly made from clay or concrete. Different colors are used together to create intriguing patterns. Shingles are mostly made from asphalt and also come in a great variety of colors and styles. Algae, Moss, and LichensThe original vision of your roof design will be placed under pressure by mother nature. It’s not the wind and rain this time though. It’s the plants! Roofs provide an ideal habitat for algae, mosses, and lichens. The shadowed portion of your roof will eventually start to grow a “meadow”. Algae, in particular, causes a black discoloration of the roof tiles. The chemicals that moss and lichens produce will slowly erode the materials that bind your tiles and shingles together. Flat RoofsIf you don’t want a sloped roof and couldn’t be bothered with tiles, then a flat roof is the obvious choice. A weather-resistant membrane covers a flat roof and keeps the sun and rain out. Although the roof looks flat, there is always a slight gradient to it so that water can run off for proper drainage. Debris Build-UpFlat roofs lend themselves to a build-up of debris. Over time leaves, dust, and other scraps blown in by the wind will accumulate in corners. These “dirt mounds” make a great seedbed for vegetation. As the plants grow, their roots infiltrate the roofing causing damage. What Will Roof Cleaning Services Do?There's a lot that goes into cleaning a roof. Pressure WashingMost companies opt to pressure wash a roof. It’s a quick way of getting the plants and debris off the roof tiles, shingles, or membrane. There’s a catch though. The force of the pressurized water will damage your roof. In the areas where algae, moss, or lichens have started to grow, the tiles or shingles are weaker. All of a sudden, you’re looking down the barrel of a roof leak. It’s a better idea to get a reputable roofer like ABC Roofing to fix the damaged area first. More than likely, if you waited too long, you're going to have to replace some tiles. BleachingSome roof cleaning companies will suggest bleaching the roof to get rid of the black stains caused by algae. This might seem like a good idea at first but be careful. Bleaching will cause the roof tiles to dull and lose their color. Bleach is a corrosive chemical that is not good for the environment. It also weakens shingles and membranes with its chemical corrosiveness. Opt For Preventive MaintenanceWhat goes into preventative roofing maintenance. Regular InspectionsTry to keep on top of your roof maintenance by getting a licensed contractor in regularly. They know what to look out for and have the experience to inspect a roof safely. You don’t want an imminent leak to spoil your summer plans! If you spot something sketchy, don’t try to fix it yourself. Rather contact a professional roofer for your roofing maintenance needs. Light CleaningA light roof cleaning is a good idea if done regularly. Make sure those dirt mounds don’t develop and plant life doesn’t get a foothold. That will go a long way towards looking after your roof covering. ABC Roofing: The Best Choice For Roof RepairsKeeping your roof clean will go a long way in sustaining its life. While ABC Roofing doesn’t provide roof cleaning services, we do provide roof repairs and replacement services to homes and businesses all over South Florida, and we know a thing or two about roof maintenance. Our roofing team has over 30 years of experience in the South Florida roofing industry. If you’d like to chat with one of our contractors about a roof inspection or repair work, give us a call at (954) 344-4622, today!
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