Are you planning to clean your roof soon? Maybe you want to maintain it better or give it a new wash for better appearance. Before anything else, it’s vital to know how to clean shingle roofing.
It’s natural to encounter dirt and debris on your roof due to its exposure to different factors, from animals to climate. At the same time, it teaches you how to take care of your roofing in better ways. So, how does it actually work?
Here are the do’s and don’ts of how to clean shingle roofing for the best results!
The Do’s
There are a few things to keep in mind when you prepare to clean a shingle roof. While it’s easy to say you only need to apply a cleaner and rinse, there are a couple of tips you should remember if you want effective results.
The following are a few of the things you want to do when you clean the roof:
Use Different Solutions
Roof maintenance means trying a range of options to clean and care for your roofing. It includes having different choices for the cleaner you use to achieve better dirt removal.
For example, if you want to get rid of moss, you might have to use a chemical solution. You can use simple and organic choices to remove common dirt, like stains or light debris.
Wash With Low Pressure
Many recommend against pressure washing your roof due to the possible damage it causes to shingles. So, to reduce the risk of pressure washing shingle roofing, consider setting it to low only.
When you do so, it sets the washer to a lighter setting, allowing you to limit the strength applied to the roof as you go through it with the washer.
Always Prioritize Safety
You have to be on high ground to clean your roof. If you fail to practice safety, you could end up falling and developing injury or worse.
Many recommend using proper cleaning tools to prevent negative impacts. It includes ladders, brushes, and others.
Moreover, it’s vital to be patient when you clean your roof. This way, you avoid making impulsive decisions and actions that could cause you to get injured later.
Be Proactive
Your surroundings is what makes roofing care a bit troublesome since it’s always going to be dirty. For example, if you have trees above your roof, the debris will likely fall off all the time.
You may want to take proactive steps when cleaning your roof to lessen the impact of its surroundings. Given the example earlier, you can do so by trimming trees to give your roof enough sunlight and reduce the amount of debris.
Consider Roof Material
Different types of roofs vary in cleaning requirements. While there are general ways to clean them, you want to consider their specific needs to get the best results.
An asphalt shingle roof is one of the common materials, so you will likely find many products made for cleaning it. You can also find a professional who specializes in shingle roofing care. Find more info on roof cleaning here.
Try Sustainable Methods
Many suggest using sustainable cleaners when working on your roof. This way, you can let it last longer after the clean and protect you, your family, and your surroundings.
Eco-friendly cleaners are available on the market, but you can also make your own solutions at home using organic products.
Include Gutters
One thing many homeowners often overlook when they clean their roofs are the gutters. But in roof care, keeping gutters and downspouts clean helps keep your roofing healthy.
When you do so, it prevents roof rot and water from overflowing. And so, it also lets you maintain your home’s foundation.
Trim Trees With Consent
Sometimes, trimming trees is one of the best ways to eliminate falling debris and get more sunlight. But before you start chopping away, you have to consider who the tree belongs to.
Feel free to adjust it however you like if you own it. Otherwise, if it belongs to your neighbor, always remember to ask polity if you can trim it.
The Don’ts
Besides the tips to remember and practice when you clean a shingle roof, there are also a couple of things you want to avoid. This way, you get the best results possible.
Some of the points are as follows:
Clean When It’s Extra Sunny
You might think cleaning when it’s sunny is a great idea because it dries your roof faster. Instead, it could cause the solutions you apply to evaporate before it can work.
Because of those possibilities, it’s best to work on roofing care on an overcast day or when there’s less direct sunlight. This way, your solutions have enough time to do the job.
Apply Too Much Chemicals
Many products sold for roof care include components that quicken the process but harm the material. In that case, you want to go through the ingredients of your solution before you begin applying it.
It’s okay to apply a few chemicals here and there, especially when it’s necessary. What matters is you limit it to a specific amount to keep it from damaging your roof.
Use Rough Tools
It can be tempting to use rough tools when you encounter stubborn dirt or grime. But, they can only damage your roof or result in other injuries.
You want to focus on using lighter equipment that doesn’t scratch or scrape off asphalt shingle roofing. If you still want to use harder tools, make sure to be careful with the amount of pressure you apply.
Work Without Professional Guidance
Cleaning your roof sounds like an easy job. Although it is, you still want to get professional guidance or insight before you get started.
Roofing maintenance steps can put you at risk due to the height of the roof. At the same time, if you work on it without proper assistance, you might end up damaging your shingle roof.
So, consider asking for help from an expert or getting tips from them before you begin cleaning.
Learn How to Care for Shingle Roofing Right Here
Shingle roofing care comes with a couple of do’s and don’ts that affect your roof’s condition and the results you get from cleaning. It goes from what you use to clean your roof to how you should do it and what external factors affect it. This way, you can get the best outcome possible.
You can check out the rest of our blog to learn more about it!