After a while, your roof may begin to appear dirty and no longer look as nice. In fact, over time, your roof may discolor and appear as though there is mold growing on the surface. However, these dark black patches or streaks are likely a form of algae. In addition, you may be dealing with green patches of moss. Both of these occurrences may leave you wondering what kind of roof maintenance or cleaning that needs to be done. Integrity Roofing in Clarksville is here to help you learn more about roof maintenance.
How to Clean Moss or Algae Growth on your Roof
Much like most things, there are some dos and don’ts that should be followed when cleaning your roof. Here are some of the most common ones:
Pressure Washer vs Sprayer
Don’t use a pressure washer on your roof. That can cause damage to your shingles and cause them to loosen, leading to serious damage. Instead, use a sprayer that is attached to your garden hose. If you have asphalt shingles, the ideal way to clean them is with an equal mixture of chlorine bleach and water.
Landscaping
Don’t ignore your landscaping! If you are using the bleach solution, it can harm your plants, shrubbery, and other landscaping. Instead, wet your plants with plain water and cover them with plastic before cleaning.
Be Patient
Don’t get impatient and assume that the solution will work immediately. The solution may not get all the algae or moss off at first, but it should wash away during the next rainstorm.
Sunny vs Cloudy
Don’t clean your roof on a Sunday day as this can affect how effective the cleaning solution will be. Instead, choose a day that is cloudy, wind-free, and has no threat of precipitation.
Safety Precautions
Don’t skip safety measures! Before working on cleaning your roof, you should make sure that you can safely walk on your roof. If not, play it safe and call a professional.
Choose Home Re-Nu
Home Re-Nu offers roofing services in Carterville and surrounding areas. For an estimate, roof inspection, or more, contact our roofing professionals at (618) 964-9100.