Is It Necessary That You Clean Your Roof?

You are outside working around your home and glance up at your roof.  You notice that there appears to be something black growing on the shingles at that moment. You wonder what it could be—mold, mildew, or soil somehow found its way up there.  It becomes very apparent that you may need to clean your roof.

In most cases, that buildup you see on your roof is either algae or moss.  Algae is prone to grow on those roof areas where water and moisture collect.  The actual spores of the algae are transported to your roof via either the wind or even birds.  If the buildup appears green and fuzzy, you are most likely looking at moss.  Moss thrives in those areas that prove an abundance of moisture and shade.

If you see either of these forms of buildup, you are probably wondering what you should do.  Should yo uclean your roof or leave it be?  Much as with anything else, there are pros and cons to weigh when considering if you should clean your roof.  

The Pros and The Cons

The primary reason you clean our roof is to help extend the life of your roofing material.  Although there is the fact that algae are not particularly harmful to shingles, moss can be significantly detrimental.  If enough moss is present for a long enough time, it can cause the shingles to curl upward along their edges.  There is then the probability that they are more likely to blow off when a wind storm comes along.

Again, algae don't necessarily harm your shingles, such as moss does, but can also negatively impact how well your roofing performs.  If you opted for a reflective or cooling roof, this is even more of a concern as black algae, in particular, will interfere with how well a reflective roof works.

One of the significant drawbacks of cleaning your roof is that it can be somewhat of a hassle and time-consuming.  Most homeowners are not keen on climbing up on their roof with the sole intention of spraying it down with a cleaner tha tcontains chemicals to attempt to kill any algae or moss present.  

As it turns out, the National Roofing Contractors Association highly advises against homeowners choosing to DIY the cleaning of their roof and suggests you leave the job to the professionals.  

Vital to keep in mind is that most roof cleaning products on the market usually contain bleach, which can be harmful and often detrimental to any plants or shrubbery that may be growing near the structure.  A professional roof cleaning contractor will ensure to water any nearby vegetation and cover them before starting the process of cleaning.

What Does Roof Cleaning Involve?

The primary goal and focus of roof cleaning are to remove any algae or moss that may be growing on its surface.  Household chlorine bleach effectively cleans any moss or algae spores that may be present. A ratio of 1:1 between bleach and water is recommended for the best results.  Essential to know is that pressure washing of asphalt shingles is not suggested as the force of the water may cause significant damage.

To achieve the best results, spray the bleach solution on your roof and allow it to sit for up to twenty minutes, and then thoroughly rinse it off with clean water.  If there are any residual areas of algae, the next few rain showers will be sufficient to remove them.  If any areas of moss remain, a professional cleaner may use a leaf blower to take care of them.

Clean or Replace?

Many homeowners will look at their roof and think it needs replacement when a good cleaning may be all that is in order.  When algae and moss are allowed to buildup on a roof, it can take on the appearance of being in significantly worse condition than it actually is.  By enlisting the services of a roofing contractor, they can thoroughly inspect your roof and determine its overall condition.  If a good cleaning is the best option, they can either offer to perform the cleaning themselves or possibly direct you to someone or a reputable company that can.

If, after inspection, the contract feels the roof does need to be repaired, they can advise on getting that done as well.  The contractor will also offer a maintenance routine for keeping your new roof cleaned and how often the cleanings should be performed.

If you find you need a roofing contractor in the Woodlands, Tomball, Spring, and Conroe areas, look no further than the most trusted roofing company in Texas, Service First Construction.  We offer and provide a wide range of roofing services, including roof installation, roof repair, roof maintenance, and various other construction services.

Contact us today, and we would be happy to schedule an appointment time that works within your schedule to answer any questions or concerns you may have.