What are the best ways to clean a roof of algae and moss growth? Read on for our best roof-cleaning tips!
Don’t: Use a pressure washer, which can loosen shingles and seriously damage your roof.
Do: Use a sprayer attached to garden hose that’s filled with equal parts chlorine bleach and water. of laundry strength liquid chlorine bleach and water. This is the best way to clean a roof if you have asphalt shingles. After spraying the roof with the mixture, allow it to sit on the surface for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with clean water.
Don’t: Wait until your roof is covered in algae or moss to take action.
Do: trim back overhanging branches to expose the roof to sunlight, and clear debris such as branches and leaves, from its surfaces with a leaf blower if needed. Keep gutters clean to ensure roofs remain as dry as possible.
Don’t: Clean your roof on a sunny day, which will cause the bleach solution to evaporate too quickly, limiting its cleansing effects.
Do: Clean your roof on a cloudy, calm day when the wind isn’t blowing and there’s no threat of precipitation.
Don’t: Clean your roof without taking proper safety precautions.
Don’t: Ignore your landscape and surrounding areas, which can be harmed by the bleach solution
Do: Wet plants and shrubbery thoroughly with plain water before covering them with plastic, then rinse them again after using the bleach solution on your roof.
Do: clean your roof only after determining that you can safely walk its surface. If the slope is too steep to easily traverse or if your house is more than one story, you should hire a pro. If you do get up on your roof, wear well-fitting shoes with slip-resistant rubber soles and be sure to don eye and skin protection.
Don’t: Assume the solution will immediately remove the growth from your roof and apply the solution again.
Do: Have patience. The algae will wash away during subsequent rainstorms, and moss will eventually loosen to the point where it can be removed with a leaf blower.
Now that you know the best ways to clean a roof, be sure to follow these guidelines carefully. Note that our roof-cleaning tips only apply for asphalt shingles. If you have another type of roof, it’s important to check with your manufacturer to find out how to clean your roof. In fact, it’s wise to consult your manufacturer for roof-cleaning tips regardless of what type of shingles you have in order to avoid inadvertent damage.
