Roofs are among the most critical components of a home. Poorly maintained roofs can compromise the physical appearance of your home as well as its structural integrity. If your roof is dirty and poorly maintained, it will make your house look dingy and unappealing. As well as being unsightly, a dirty roof can lead to costly roofing problems in the future. Roof cleaning is very important!
Roof cleaning from Volcano Roofers should be a regular part of homeowners’ routine maintenance schedules. Insects, mold, and mildew thrive in a roof’s dust, dirt, and debris over time. Consequently, damage to the system is more likely, and the system may need to be replaced sooner.
A Roof Damaged By These Things
Debris and dirt are not the only things that can accumulate on your roof. The constant exposure to harsh elements on your roof can cause other things to accumulate, affecting its visual appeal, performance, and longevity. Here are some examples:
Gloeocapsa magma – a form of algae – is the cause of the black stains on your roof. It thrives in cool, shaded, and moist environments on the roof. Usually, they develop on limestone and asphalt roofs and severely reduce the structural strength of your roof. GM algae are more likely to grow near the sides of the roof that are not exposed to much sunlight.
Mostly found on roofs with high humidity, lichens are a mixture of fungi and algae. Lichens can nourish sheathing at the base of shingles. Because of this, they are hard to remove. It is also common for them to reappear after heavy rainfall.
Moss is a plant that requires a lot of moisture to survive. Moreover, moss can easily spread to the interior of a home or even to neighboring houses. Moss spores can also pose health risks to the inhabitants of a home if left unattended for an extended period.
Damages to roofs include
Growing algae, fungus, and moss on your roof can lead to extensive wood rot and shingle damage on your roof, shortening its lifespan. You will be able to avoid all these costly repairs and structural issues by getting professional roof cleaning services from a trusted company.
Algae bacterium can destroy asphalt or limestone shingles, creating holes and pores in your roof that lead to leaks. The growth of algae can also curl or lift shingles. Besides absorbing heat, algae can also cause your attic to heat up. During high temperatures, the shingles can be heated from the underside, further reducing their strength.
Inexperienced homeowners may have difficulty spotting the signs of wood rot because the symptoms are not that obvious. For this reason, you need experienced roofing professionals to inspect your roof after prolonged rainstorms. Water tends to collect in moss, which can result in leaks and rot in your roof. Moreover, this rotting may cause mold growth, posing a serious threat to the health of occupants and their pets.
Roof Cleaning can be done Two Ways
Roofs are cleaned primarily with pressure washing and chemical cleaning. Mold, algae, dirt, and grime are eliminated by spraying highly pressurized water. Using this technique is best for metal and concrete roofs, but be careful since an excessive amount of pressure may damage shingles. Chemical cleaning is used to remove harmful elements from a roof, also called “soft washing”. To prevent damage to your property, we’ll take protective measures so that the runoff does not affect your landscaping.
When it comes to excellent roofing services, choose volcano roofers. You can rely on us for roof maintenance services that are unmatched.
Importance of Roof Cleaning
Cleaning roofs can prevent damages to your home’s interior and exterior.
1. Roof Cleaning Enhances Your Home’s Curb Appeal
You can improve the appearance of your home’s exterior by removing leaves, debris, and dirt from your roof. Maintenance will make it more appealing to buyers and show them that it has been well managed if you plan to sell it. Additionally, you will increase its value.
2. Roof Cleaning Prevents the Formation of Ice Dams
The edge of your roof can develop ice dams, which are ridges of ice that form during the winter months. When you do not clean your roof after a snowfall or storm, these can include.
Melting snow can cause ice to form at the roof’s edge as it runs off, forming what is known as an ice dam. The problem becomes progressively worse over time because water cannot drain off the roof.
Ice dams can seriously damage your roof and home. A leaky roof, shingles that have been damaged, icicles that form, and damaged gutters are just some of the problems caused by them. Preventing ice dams is as simple as cleaning the roof and gutters.
The formation of ice dams can be prevented by cleaning your roof and clearing any snow and debris on it. Inexperience can lead to physical injury, gutter damage, or more roof damage, so make sure you either do it carefully or hire someone with roofing experience to clean the roof.
3. Roof Cleanining Protects your Home’s Interior
To protect your home’s interior from harsh weather conditions, you need to clean your roof throughout the year. Many factors can threaten the structural integrity of your roof and cause it to break down faster.
If moss remains on your shingles for an extended period, it can cause moisture damage. In addition to separating shingles from roof decks, dirt and grime can also cause vulnerable areas to be exposed to a building. If left unattended, this can cause leaks and damage to your home.
4.Roof Cleaning Conserves Money
Keeping your roof clean may require some time and energy, but these costs will be much less than the cost of roof repairs that can result from an unmaintained roof. Keeping your roof clean will prevent your roofing from deteriorating and increase the lifespan of the materials that can save you thousands of dollars on roof replacements earlier than necessary.
Furthermore, it will save you money on insurance installments. How well you maintain your property will determine your insurance rate. The chances of paying more for your insurance policy will increase if your roof has been neglected and looks dingy rather than paying to keep it clean.
5. Roof Cleaning Prevents Water Damage
Consequences may let you spend thousands of dollars on repairs if you suffer water damage to your home. Regularly cleaning the roof can prevent missing tiles and shingles from falling off the building. Because of a lack of protection, water can seep into the house when it rains or snows. Your flooring materials and furniture can be damaged by water damage. When left unattended for too long, it can even lead to the growth of mold and mildew.
A clean roof can protect your family from mold exposure, making your home a safer place to live. The home’s value will also be covered if significant damage occurs. It may be more challenging to sell your house if it has experienced water damage or mold.
6. Roof Cleaning Eliminates Pests
On your roof, dirt, algae, and moss can attract different types of pests, which in turn can cause infestations. A damaged roof can deteriorate more quickly if it’s infested with bugs and critters. Keep unwelcome guests away by cleaning fungus and algae from your roof shingles.
If you want to keep the value and quality of your home, you need to understand the benefits of maintaining your roof. Over time, you can end up saving more money if you clean your roof regularly because it will last longer, experience less wears and tear, and be in tip-top shape.
7. Roof Cleaning Prevents Shingle Damage
Ice dams, falling debris, and algae/moss/lichen growth can damage your roof shingles if you fail to clean them. If your roof shingles are missing or damaged, you may experience the following problems:
-Growth of mold
-Roof and interior water damage
-Fungal growth or mold
-Reduced energy efficiency (increased power bills)
Winter shingles are especially vulnerable to damage. A roof’s shingles can easily be damaged or removed if debris, snow, and ice are not removed. You may experience water seeping into your roof, walls, and other areas. It can cause cracks in your home’s roof, walls, and structure when that water freezes. It is not only expensive to repair but also hazardous to the structural integrity of your home. Maintaining your roof regularly, or hiring a professional to do it, can reduce the risk of shingle damage.
8. Roof Cleaning Prevents Wood Rot
Excess water can leak into your attic from algae, ice dams, and shingle damage. It increases your risk of getting a leaky roof, frozen water damage, and wood rot. It is costly to repair rotting damage caused by water getting into your roof and home. You may have to replace your roof if the damage is extensive or you can prevent this from happening by making sure your roof is properly cleaned and maintained. It is often challenging for you to detect wood rot, so they may not always know it is happening. Consistent roof cleaning is another reason why your roof will last longer and look better.
