Why you should have your roof cleaned

Maintaining the value of your home is one of the obvious benefits of having your roof cleaned. Your roof will last longer if you keep it clean. Debris on your roof will break down more quickly if you fail to keep it clean. In asphalt shingles, algae feed off limestone, even though it is only a cosmetic issue. On a shingled roof, algae or moss can create gaps between the shingles, allowing moisture to penetrate, causing rot and leaks.

Regardless of what kind of growth is on your roof, the cost of keeping your roof clean can often pay for itself by extending the life of your roof and minimizing the need for repairs and replacements.

How to clean your roof

Algae can be removed from your roof by pressure washing or soft washing with detergents, including bleach, but these "solutions" can cause premature ageing and further damage. It is possible to loosen granules from shingles during a power wash, while harsh detergents in a soft wash can deteriorate shingles, discolour wood shakes and tiles, and accelerate corrosion on metal roofs. Plantlife is harmed by runoff after soft washing. After soft washing, metal gutters and downspouts corrode faster.

Although these cleaning methods seem to remove your roof's algae growth, they won't help prevent algae growth from returning. After repeated roof washings due to algae, your roof starts to become seriously damaged.

This cycle can be alternatively avoided by using an algaecide or fungicide approved for roofs, such as Roof-A-Cide. It's guaranteed that a spray of algaecide upon your roof will kill the algae, but will also prevent it from coming back for two years. There are other algaecides available in the marketplace, but Roof-A-Cide is the only EPA-approved roof cleaning and stain prevention product that is guaranteed to eliminate and prevent algae growth. With Roof-A-Cide, you can get several cleaning solutions that are both chlorine- and caustic-free that are safe and effective to use on a roof without risking any damage to the roof or the surrounding property.

Don't try cleaning your roof yourself, regardless of the solution you choose. Regardless of whether slippery algae is present, walking on your roof is already potentially hazardous. You're better off hiring a professional roof cleaning service or roofing contractor to handle the job.

Benefits of Cleaning Your Roof

The people in our community deserve to know we care about proper home maintenance and how it impacts the overall value of their homes as well as our own. Cleaning your roof can help protect your investment in more ways than one. That may be sufficient in itself to keep your roof clean, but cleaning your roof can do even more.

Remove Black Streaks:

It doesn't take long for the black streaks on a new roof to begin appearing. Most streaks are caused by algae (although dirt and debris can also cause streaks). In addition to fading the tiles under them, those black streaks can also likely produce mould.

Get rid of mould growth and moss:

When it comes to mould, even a clean roof can have problems. Often, moss and mould can be found growing on roofs and chimneys, especially in moist, humid climates. Mold can cause serious health problems in the home.

Clean Your Getters to Prevent Clogs:

It is not just a matter of cleaning the surface of the roof but also clearing out debris, leaves and twigs that might otherwise end up clogging the gutters. If water cannot flow freely through clogged gutters, you are likely to have leaks shortly.

Last but not least, keep in mind that your shingle warranty may be voided if the manufacturer determines that the shingles were not properly cared for.

Watkins Construction & Roofing can assist you in cleaning and maintaining your roof by calling 601-966-8233 in Byram, Madison, Ridgeland, and Jackson, MS.