Most people will take proper care of their home’s interiors and forget the outside. Nevertheless, it is equally important to take care of your exteriors as well. One of the parts often overlooked is the roof, as it is not visible to many. The roof needs to be cleaned and maintained once in a while. Check out the basics you should know about roof cleaning.
Why is Roof Cleaning Important?
One of the significant reasons you should clean your roof is to make it look better and elevate its curb appeal simply. Additionally, roof cleaning helps eliminate debris like tree branches which can cause severe damage if left to stay there for long. Also, conducting a professional roof cleaning allows you to inspect it for any signs of destruction. This process can discover roof issues like missing shingles and holes. Thus you can act upon them and prevent further damage from taking place.
When should you clean your Roof?
It is advisable to clean your roof annually. This way, you can spot any developing problems early and find a solution. However, if your roof was recently installed, you can perform your cleaning once every two years.
How Should Your Roof be cleaned?
Generally, you can perform roof cleaning activities yourself. However, it is best to hire a professional to do this job since they are skilled in roof cleaning. Also, if your roof is risky to climb or age has caught up with you better get a professional. Besides, this service can be hazardous, and the chances of slipping and falling are elevated. Expert cleaners will know how to handle themselves up there and have the proper gear for safety. Again, they will utilize the best cleaning materials to guarantee a thorough cleaning without causing damage to the roof materials.
Tips to Ensure Your Roof Last Longer
Avoid Power-Washing Shingles
Note that concentrated sprays can weaken the granules on the products’ top coating, thus damaging them. Therefore, you should manually remove moss and dirt or use a leaf blower or broom.
Inspect the Ventilation
Inappropriately located vents and attic soffits can cause condensation on the materials supporting your roof shingles, thus causing rotting. Also, an inadequately placed exhaust fan can cause the same damage. Regularly inspect your vents and replace them immediately when need be.
Fortify the roof
Roof maintenance tips will vary from one area to the other as some areas receive more hazardous weather conditions than others. If your area is prone to tornadoes, severe wind, thunderstorms, or hurricanes, it is best to implement this three-stage treatment when installing a new roof.
First, ensure your roof is sealed using a special sealant or tape. Second, use nails with ring shanks to build more robust resistance to wind uplift. Finally, lock down your roof’s edges using metal flashing for better security. This way, you will have built more resistance to roof damage following hazardous weather conditions.
Also, insulate cathedral ceilings and attics properly and clean your gutters frequently.