Roof Cleaning Sarasota eliminates ugly black stains and treats moss and lichen growth to keep your home looking beautiful and preserve the life expectancy of your shingles. This is an important service that should be done regularly to prevent future costly damage and repairs.
Start by removing debris like leaves, sticks, twigs, and other organic matter. Then, rinse the Roof and surrounding vegetation to ensure the runoff does not harm any plants or your shingles.
The Roof is the most vulnerable part of a building structure, and debris often accumulates there. Whether it’s fallen branches, leaves, or garbage, any debris left on the Roof is a potential danger to people below. In addition, it can block gutters and cause leaks, which could damage the Roof and interior structures.
While some debris is unavoidable, steps can be taken to minimize it. For example, a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule can help prevent debris buildup on the Roof. Other preventive measures include:
- Trimming overhanging branches to keep them from falling on the Roof.
- Installing bird deterrents to discourage nesting.
- Regularly cleaning surrounding areas to remove organic material that can wash onto the Roof.
Even with preventive measures, debris will still pile up on the Roof over time. A professional junk removal service can use a leaf blower to quickly and effectively clear existing debris from the Roof without damaging it. Using the blower, the professional can also get to hard-to-reach areas such as around chimneys and skylights.
If there are stains on the Roof, it may be necessary to apply a stain-blocking solution or spray paint after the cleaning process. This can prevent the return of stains from the same source. For example, rust stains from metal flashings can be prevented by spraying with a protective coating shortly after the cleaning.
During the roof cleaning process, the professional can also examine the gutters and drain systems for clogs or wear and tear. They can also water-test the drains to ensure that moisture is escaping properly. Lastly, they can clean out and flush the gutters with a garden hose to remove any remaining debris.
Remove Algae
Algae is a dark staining that can occur on roof shingles and lead to roof damage. It forms from a combination of sunlight, moisture, and nutrients in the air that settles on shingles and begins to grow. Depending on the type of algae and how it is treated, black streaks can cause a roof to deteriorate quickly. This is why it’s important to have algae cleaned regularly to maintain the health and beauty of a home’s exterior.
The simplest way to remove algae is by using a 50/50 solution of household bleach and water. This should be sprayed onto the Roof using a hose-end sprayer rather than a pressure washer to avoid degrading the shingles. It is also important to protect surrounding landscaping with a tarp or hose cover to prevent spraying or drips from hitting plants.
If you choose to use a chlorine bleach solution, be sure to dilute it as per the product instructions to reduce the chance of damaging surrounding vegetation. Another option is oxygen bleach, which uses hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizer and comes in liquid or powder form for an eco-friendly choice that won’t affect plants.
Before beginning, make sure you have all of the necessary tools and safety gear to complete this project. It’s crucial to climb carefully on a slippery roof and wear a harness, impact-resistant goggles, and sturdy, slip-resistant shoes. Once you’re ready to start cleaning, allow the cleaning solution to sit on the moss or algae for the time recommended in the product instructions. This helps the mixture penetrate and loosen spores or spore colonies for easier removal.
When scrubbing, use a soft-bristled brush to help prevent damage to the shingles. If you’re using a pressure washer, be sure to set it to a low-pressure setting and avoid blasting the surface with too much force, which could dislodge or degrade shingles. Once you’re done scrubbing, rinse the entire roof surface thoroughly to remove any cleaner residue and dislodged moss or algae.
For long-term protection, you can spray the Roof with a zinc or copper solution to prevent future algae growth. You can also trim back nearby trees to limit the amount of shade and excess moisture on your Roof. In addition, adding zinc strips near the peak of the Roof can help impede the spread of algae and moss.
Remove Mold and Mildew
If algae, mildew and moss are left on your Roof for too long, they can begin to deteriorate the shingles and cause water leaks inside your home. Regular cleaning removes this buildup and helps preserve the life expectancy of your shingles.
The most common method of removing mold from a shingle roof is with a basic bleach solution. However, it is important to follow safety guidelines and use caution when working with bleach, especially if you have a lot of plant life in the area surrounding your house. Bleach can be toxic to plants and grass when it washes off your Roof and runs into it. It can also be damaging to your outdoor furniture if it comes into contact with it.
A more effective method of removing mold from a roof is using a commercial product like Spray and Forget, which is sprayed onto the surface of your Roof and then allowed to dry without rinsing. The fungicide in this product inhibits the growth of mold, fungus and moss on any exterior surface including siding, concrete, stone, lawns and roofs. It can even be used to treat oxidation on metal roofs.
There are several other things that can be done to reduce the risk of fungus, mildew and mold growing on your Roof. This includes a periodic inspection of the Roof and trimming of shade trees. Overhanging branches can trap moisture on the Roof and prevent it from evaporating, creating the perfect conditions for mold to grow. Clean gutters are also necessary to ensure that they are not clogged, as this can lead to water and debris pooling on the Roof.
Fungus, mildew and mold that are allowed to grow on your Roof can not only damage the shingles and lead to leaks in your home but also spread indoors where it causes health problems for you and your family. This mold then rots wood furniture and attracts insects and birds to the area. Regular roof cleaning and the use of safe fungicides can help you avoid the need for costly repairs or replacements in the future.
Decrease Water Damage
Your Roof protects the rest of your home and property, so protecting it is crucial. If you regularly clean your gutters and avert tree growth near your Roof, it will reduce the risk of leaks. The debris, moss, and algae that build up on a roof can clog gutters, preventing them from draining properly. When this occurs, rainwater is likely to pool on the Roof and leak into the building. This can cause severe water damage and even lead to structural issues within your home, such as mold, mildew, and rot.
A roof that is covered in moss and algae can also retain moisture, which causes the shingles to deteriorate. This may result in roof leaks, which can be expensive to repair. A thorough roof cleaning by a professional removes these organisms and prevents them from growing, allowing the shingles to remain protected.
Besides reducing the likelihood of leaks, a regular roof cleaning can save you money on energy bills. Shingles are designed to reflect the sun’s rays, which decreases the amount of heat that is transferred through the Roof and into the building. However, algae and moss can block this reflection, leading to higher energy bills and increased temperatures throughout the home.
Water leaks caused by a dirty roof can be difficult to detect. Often, the first sign of water damage is a musty odor and discoloration on the ceiling or walls. Water stains on ceilings are typically circular, and if left untreated, they can lead to mold and mildew.
If you suspect that your Roof is damaged, it’s important to contact a professional to have it cleaned and inspected by a restoration specialist. A restoration professional can identify the source of the leak and help you restore your Roof to its original condition. It’s also important to keep in mind that the longer a water leak remains undetected, the more damage it can do to your home or business. For this reason, it is important to search for signs of water damage on a regular basis, especially after heavy rains or as the seasons change.
