You can hear a lot of opinions both good and bad when it comes to getting your roof cleaned. And there are certainly pros and cons to such a project, although there are more pros then there are cons. Whatever you may hear, a lot of homeowners aren’t really sure either way whether roof cleaning is good, bad, or even necessary, so it’s always a good to do some research yourself.
Roof cleaning is in fact necessary. Most insurance agencies and home owners associations actually require it. But you should definitely have your roof cleaned regularly to contribute to the upkeep and maintenance of your home anyway, not just because you’re told to. Roof cleanings help your roof so that its exterior stays in the best shape possible. Your roof is your first defense against the elements; even before your walls so that’s the bit you want to keep in tip top shape. You have to protect it so it can protect you.
The process of cleaning your roof is a simple one. And if you hire professionals to do it for you, it’s not even a process that you have to worry about; you can just let them take care of it. During a roof cleaning you roof is meticulously cleared of debris and other materials that have gathered there since your last cleaning. After that it’s washed with a low pressure washer and the aid of environmentally friendly cleaners. Materials that has grown on your roof and begun to eat the particles that hold it together are removed during this process.
Once your roof is inspected for anything problematic issue or remaining spots, it’s rinsed again with more low pressure water and treated with chemicals to prevent new issues from arising. These chemicals are also eco-friendly and can last for months meaning you don’t have to constantly have your roof cleaned. When you do go through this process, however, it is also a good time to get your gutters, downspouts and valleys cleaned out. After all, these pieces and your roof are what work together to keep your home protected so give them a little love too.
The pros of having your roof cleaned are many. Having your roof regularly cleaned can up the resale value of your home as well as revamp the curb appeal and its aesthetic look. And if you’re looking to sell your home, a simple roof cleaning can do a lot of the work for you. Having a clean roof can means you won’t hear from the HOA or your insurance company telling you that you need to get it together, and it means that your home is in a healthy, clean state with an intact roof that allows you, your family and your pets to live in a home that is free of mildew, mold or leaks. Obviously these factors mean your family won’t be getting sick as much.
Cleaning your roof regularly also allows you to avoid potentially high future repair costs by keeping your roof protected from external damages. Standing water and debris left up on your roof for long periods of time can lead to the weathering of your roofing material and this leads to leaks that can begin to cause expansive issues long before you even discover them. The list of pros and reasons to clean you roof could really go on, and fairly easily. If you really want to know the benefits of cleaning your roof, let us know or check out some of our earlier blog posts. Otherwise, let’s move on to the cons.
There are definitely not as many cons to roof cleaning as there are benefits. Let’s get that fact out of the way first. The cons that exist in fact can easily be avoided and in that sense they aren’t really cons at all, since they don’t have to happen during your specific roof cleaning. For example, if you aren’t careful about who you select to do you roof cleaning, that right there will provide you with a lot of cons you wouldn’t have to deal with if you had hired a professional in the first place.
The problems that can arise when you don’t hire a professional are pretty serious “cons”. A non-professional roof cleaner doesn’t know what they’re doing much like a homeowner who decides to try a little DIY roof cleaning work. In this instance, tiles or shingles can be broken and/or damaged. This can happen by stepping places that shouldn’t be stepped on, using harsh level of water pressure and not knowing how the different roofing materials work and should be treated. Besides the increased likelihood that they’ll fall off of your roof and injure themselves they also probably won’t be able to replace the damaged areas that are a result of their own lack of knowledge.
Another issue that can arise is the use of improper cleaning materials. Some materials shouldn’t be used as they can cause streaking on your roof, can eat away at the tiles or can damage the plants and earth located around the edge of your home as the product produces run off. Other materials, such as scrappers to remove debris can cause unsightly appearances if not properly used.
If your unprofessional roof cleaners don’t survey the roof like they should they won’t notify you of potential problem areas so that you can have them looked at and taken care of. This means they won’t be taken care of before they become serious issues and it could end up costing you even more than you intended in the first place. Another aspect that comes to cost is that they may charge you less, which is seemingly a pro, but it’s because they’re cutting corners somewhere, which always ends with you paying more out of your pocket and instantly drops that fact into the con category.
Can you see how all the cons that come with having your roof cleaned come with the stipulation of hiring unprofessional roof cleaners? If you hire roof cleaners that know what they’re doing and have knowledge and the experience to go with it, you’ll have no issues. There will be virtually no cons for you to worry about when it comes to the treatment of your roof. Cleaners who know what they’re doing will use the right materials, take care of your roof the right way and make sure that none of the job is compromised. They might even offer the services to clean your gutter, valleys and downspouts as well so that you can get it all taken care of at one time.
To get a free roof cleaning estimate contact us online here or call us directly at 407.256.8610.