5 Reasons to Clean Your Asphalt Shingle Roof

Orlando Asphalt Shingle Roof Cleaning

Why should you get Orlando asphalt shingle roof cleaning?

As a homeowner, you know just how important your roof is to the integrity of your home. You also know that it can get “dirty” fairly quickly if not looked after. No matter how old it is or how long it’s supposed to last, the lifespan of your roof is affected daily by the weather and its environmental surroundings.

Roof Algae, or Gloeocapsa magma, needs heat, moisture and nutrients to grow. Your roof, thanks to the inclusion of limestone, has all three. Ever wonder what the black stains and bits of discoloration streaking your roof are? They’re roof algae transported by the wind in little spores. They feed on the inorganic materials in your roofing materials. Living in Orlando, FL your roof could be completely covered in less than four years!

When you have different mosses and lichens growing on your roof, you may think it’s just affecting the appearance of your roof. This isn’t true. While it does create an unsightly appearance, it can also do structural damage to your shingles. But this isn’t the only reason you should think about having your Orlando, FL asphalt shingle roof cleaned.

In fact, you might think that you don’t need to clean your roof at all. You might think it doesn’t really affect you. But you won’t be happy when your roof that is supposed to last a lifetime needs to be replaced after only a few years. In the interest of preserving your asphalt shingles and saving you money, we would like to tell give you five reasons why you should clean your roof.

1. Aesthetics and Resale Value

The most obvious reason that a homeowner might think of to clean their roof is for the appearance. Asphalt shingle roofing styles and looks are extremely varied. As a homeowner you pick the roofing of your house to suit your own tastes. Once your roof is covered with dirt and stains, all of that choice becomes irrelevant. Nobody can see it.

A thorough professional cleaning can give your roof a brand new look. A thorough cleaning will remove all of the dark stains that can rapidly accumulate on your asphalt shingle tiles and they will all be able to be seen again.

In addition to bringing the beauty back to your home, a professional asphalt shingle roof cleaning job will help increase the resale value of your home. The immediate curb appeal of your home can depend dramatically on the appearance of your roof. Potential homebuyers can be fearful of a dirty rood, thinking it might be indicative of other issues.

2. Home and Family Health

Thinking about those ugly stains from algae and moss might make you feel like you should be more concerned about the cleanliness of your roof, but it doesn’t stop there. It isn’t just about cleaning your roof. It is about keeping your roof and home in the best shape possible. When you have these lichens growing all over your roof they will eat though the granules in your shingles. This allows moisture and water to get through your roof and down to the wood underneath. Water on your inner wood structures can quickly lead to expensive and damaging leaks, not to mention expansive wood rot. Often by the time these issues are discovered, the damage is extensive and expensive to fix. Regular roof cleanings will help you to be more aware of what is going on with your roof. With our roof cleaning, you get a FREE roof and gutter cleaning inspection. During the cleaning or inspection process, we might discover a minor issue or two that could be addressed before it becomes a bigger problem.

Another thing to be aware of is the fact that your roof and the upper portion of your home are now a prime spot for the rapid growth of mold and mildew. This can be a major health risk to everyone residing in your home — family and pets alike. And, because its hidden in your ceiling, you might not even know that it’s there.

3. HOA and the insurance company

Home Owner Associations are more and more prevalent in Florida. There is hardly a subdivision built in Orlando anymore that does not have one. One or their prime purposes is that they look out for the interest of all the homeowners and their property values. A prime common target is pressure washing and roof cleaning. They often times put out notices that require that roof stains be removed. Roof stains can easily reduce the value of a property and can cost you thousands of dollars when you sell your home. You can repaint the exterior of your home, you can clean up your lawn and redo your driveway, but it won’t take the attention away from your roof. To protect the property values of the community, the HOA can be quite vested in the status of your roof.

Your insurance company is another group that might be potentially interested in the health of your roof. Many insurance companies perform what is called a 4 point inspection when a new policy is issued. The roof is the #1 point of inspection. During this inspection if they see a discolored roof, that tells them right off the bat its not new and needs a closer look. They then get out their ladder to climb up and do an age analysis and closer inspection. This could result in them issuing an order to replace the roof. Whats worse is it might just needed a good cleaning instead. Insurance companies are becoming more and more picky about the age of the house and the age of the roof and more demanding about the need for a new roof. They would rather see it replaced then cleaned anyway if they have a say, and they have a big say in it. Even a small 1800 – 2200 sf house can cost 7k to 10k to replace a roof. Some companies can cancel your policy just for having a dirty roof. They know that roof stains left on their own will cause damage to your roof and potentially lead to mold. This is a monetary risk that they do not want to be liable for.

4. Protect your roof from damage

Professional asphalt shingle roof cleaning companies will use the best available product when cleaning you roof. This helps you in that when you get regular cleanings you are getting the best available protection. There are a number of roof cleaning products that are biodegradable and non-harmful to the surrounding environment. These chemical cleaners can last from 24 to 36 months and prevent the continued growth and spread of dangerous rooftop growths.

They are very much a preventative treatment in that you do not have to wait to for a problem to appear before you apply them. Have your roof cleaned before any issues arrive and avoid the destruction and cost of moss related issues.

Regular cleanings help extend the life of your asphalt shingles and help you to stay under warranty. Many homeowners think their shingles already came with a warranty and therefore they do not have to worry about them, but manufacturers actually suggest the cleaning of your roof. Take care of it so it can take care of you.

5. Future Costs

Your warrantied roof can last as long as it is supposed to. Roof cleaning restores asphalt shingle roofs to their natural, efficient state. Once a roof is covered with algae and mosses, it becomes unable to do its main job efficiently. The covered shingles begin to absorb heat instead of reflecting sunlight. This can heat your home drastically causing your cooling costs to rise. But that doesn’t have to happen if you maintain your roof with cleanings. Regular and professional cleanings are the easiest way to save money by not having to replace your roof prematurely.

Roof Cleaning is Important

There you have it. Asphalt shingle roof cleaning is important not just for your roof, but for you. A regularly, properly cleaned roof can keep the home under it strong for your family. It can help to keep it appealing and up to par for the Home Owners Association and your insurance company. It saves you money and the worry of having to replace your roof before it’s time. It’s a fair trade.

Do you want to know more about the asphalt shingle roof cleaning process or have a question we didn’t answer here? Give us a call at 407.877.3210 or contact us online here and let A-1 Quality Roof Cleaning and Restoration help you and your roof out.