In order for the roof to always look aesthetically pleasing and stunning, it should be properly cleaned. It also has a not insignificant impact on its durability and functionality. So anyone who is responsible for taking care of this surface must keep this in mind. Various methods of roof cleaning are available, and we will look at them in the following article, describing them and pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of each method. We encourage you to read on!
Cleaning the roof is a must
The roof is one of the basic structural elements of any building. It is absolutely crucial to make a house or other structure habitable. This is why it is so important to take proper care of it. After all, if it is neglected, it will become a place for algae, lichen and other contaminants to grow. These will not only affect its worse aesthetics, but worse – they can lead to serious damage, which in turn can end up in a building disaster.
There are many different methods of cleaning the roof, and each has different effectiveness, advantages and limitations. The choice depends on various factors – the type of dirt, the type of roofing, but also the preferences of the building owner. What is the best roof cleaning method? It is worth analyzing the information we have listed below and draw your own conclusions.
Roof cleaning methods – let’s get to know them!
Let’s start with pressure washing, as this method is one of the most popular. To clean the roof in this way, we need to use specialized equipment that throws water under high pressure. Hence its name. The high power of pressure ensures effectiveness in removing a variety of dirt, such as dust, leaves, mosses, algae, simple, etc.
- Given the force with which the pressure works, it is easy to list the advantages, which include speed and efficiency. This applies to all stains, even the toughest, most resistant ones. It’s an extremely versatile method, so it can be used on a variety of roofing materials, such as ceramic tiles, concrete tiles, sheet metal or asphalt shingles. There are also some disadvantages here, but these can be eliminated if you use the equipment properly. We are specifically talking about the risk of damage in a roofing situation, as washing is done incorrectly, for example, using too much pressure.
Another way is chemical cleaning of roofs. It involves the use of specialized preparations that dissolve dirt, algae and lichen. These agents are then rinsed off with water, or left on it for a longer period of time for more effective action.
- The strengths are certainly the almost 100 percent effectiveness in removing biological dirt. This is because the chemistry works very strongly on even the hardest to remove dirt. Equally important, after such washing, the effect is long-lasting, as the agents prevent the reappearance of dirt. Unfortunately, there are also disadvantages, mainly related to the risk of environmental pollution. Some agents have a very negative effect here, especially as they run off into groundwater. So let’s choose ecological preparations. Expertise is also needed here, so as not to accidentally damage the roof or other elements during cleaning. Some preparations have a strong, even corrosive effect.
There is also the not-so-efficient manual cleaning of roofs, for which, in addition to muscle power, brushes, scrapers and other such tools are used. This is a very time-consuming method, although in some cases the only right one. The method will work well for old roofs. Sometimes it is required by a conservationist so as not to damage sensitive elements of the sheathing.
- By hand, you can remove dirt even from the most inaccessible places, such as the hollows between the tiles. Safety for the roof is therefore the biggest advantage of this method, because with a manual approach we minimize the risk of damage. Of course, another advantage is the price, as the purchase of tools is a small cost. And provided that we do the work ourselves, and not hire a company to do it (many man-hours). There are, of course, more disadvantages, especially that for the vast majority of roofs it is a bad solution. Mainly because it is very, very time-consuming. It requires a huge amount of labor. We should also mention the limited effectiveness, especially for heavy dirt or large roof areas.
- Green steam cleaning, a method gaining popularity for its environmental benefits, is also available. It involves using high-temperature steam to remove dirt from the surface of the roof. It is the environmental safety that is the biggest advantage. This is because steam cleaning does not require any chemicals. High efficiency is also a big plus, as high-temperature steam works well on classic stains such as algae, mosses and other microorganisms. It removes them without causing damage to the roofing.
How do you choose the best roof cleaning method for your home?
We have compiled a set of ways to clean roofs and compare these solutions. However, it is worth knowing that roof cleaning techniques are one thing, it is equally important to evaluate the most important factors related to the roofing – its type, degree of dirt or preference for cost and environmental impact. So we need to take these criteria into account.
The most important relate, of course, to the type of roofing, since not every method is suitable for every type. Another is the degree of soiling. In most cases, effective pressure washing will work, but sometimes stronger chemical agents are needed. Certainly pressure washing compares very favorably here, especially compared to steam cleaning. The environmental impact is also an important factor. If you want this impact to be as small as possible, bet on steam, hand or pressure cleaning, eliminating chemicals.
We hope that this large dose of knowledge will allow everyone to take care of their roof as well as possible, whether it is roof cleaning Silesia or in another region.
