Throughout time, your roof's asphalt shingles need to be maintained and cleaned. Doing this will keep them looking their best but also maintain their lifespan and quality. Below, Schroeder Roofing and Gutters lays out all the tips and tricks to have a happy roof!
Why Cleaning Your Roof is Important
Asphalt shingles tend to be the most popular type of roof installed for residential homes here in Colorado. Schroeder Roofing and Gutters recommends cleaning them often due to the wear and tear they go through from weather. Moss can build up and spread if cleaning is not done regularly. This will cause debris and water build up, and will eventually lead to leaks in your house if not taken care of.
Black Algae and other kinds of algae are another thing that can build up on your roof if it's not properly maintained. Letting these things build up on your roof can lead to many different problems and damage individual shingles.
How to Clean Your Roof
The first thing to remember when working on your roof is safety. Make sure to have proper shoes with good grip, gloves to protect your hands, and goggles to protect your eyes. Schroeder Roofing and Gutters also recommends tying a rope around the chimney and the other end around your waist if your roof is super slanted. This can ensure if you slip, you will not fall off of the roof.
It is important to remember that when cleaning your roof, do NOT use any harsh chemicals. This will shorten the lifespan of your roof's tiles.
Schroeder Roofing and Gutters recommends to mix bleach and water together. For asphalt shingles we suggest starting with a ratio of 50:50. Put your ingredients into a garden style pump sprayer and mix them well. Once your cleaning mixture is ready, get up on your roof and spray it down as thoroughly as possible. Do not use a pressure washer or other harsh forms of cleaning tools when spraying down your roof. This can cause your tiles to be damaged.
After your have fully sprayed your roof with your solution, let it sit for about 15 minutes. Then, using a standard garden hose, spray down the roof again and rinse it completely of the solution. If spots still remain, gently wipe them down with a brush.
Other Maintenance Tips & Tricks
Keep Your Gutters Clean: It is important to check your gutters often for debris and leaves. You don't want debris to build up and cause a blockage. If water can't flow through your gutters, it leads to damage and other problems. Visit our website if you need any gutter maintenance or repairs.
Keep Up with Trimming Your Trees: Make sure you are keeping up with trimming back your tree branches when they are growing too close to the roof. This will prevent any debris falling onto your roof and animals like squirrels and birds causing damage. It will also prevent a lot of shade coverage on the roof which will help you avoid moss growth.
Remove Snow from the Roof: A significant amount of snow build up on your roof can lead to a number of problems. Leaks, damage, and other issues can happen if you aren't actively cleaning it off.
Check for Cracks, Damage and Leaks Often: Make sure you are checking your roof on the inside and out for any signs of cracks or leaks. If you are unsure of it your roof needs any extra help, click here to set up a FREE inspection with Schroeder Roofing and Gutters.
If you have any questions or are ready to set up your free roofing inspection, give us a call or visit our website:
-Written and Published by Elease Marolf, Associate Content Writer at Gateway Design & Home.