If you’ve been thinking of cleaning your roof but don’t know how to go about it, you can always use a roof shingle cleaning service to get the job done. They will clean your shingles more effectively than you can and they will also follow strict safety standards. Whether you have a leaky roof or you need to remove moss, a professional cleaning service will have the right equipment to get the job done correctly.
Avoid harsh chemicals
When cleaning your roof, you need to use the right chemicals to prevent damaging the shingles. The first step is to choose a mild solution. A solution of 12 percent sodium hypochlorite in water is the most common algaecide used in the professional pressure washing industry. This chemical is also called Pool Shock. There are many different mixtures available, ranging from most concentrated to least concentrated. If the algae is hearty, use 75% solution and 25% water. For light black algae, try 50% solution.
Another option is to use a solution that contains vinegar and water. This mixture is very effective in cleaning your shingles without damaging them. It is also very inexpensive and easy to find. You can also mix a little dish soap with it for a stronger cleaner. This solution is safe for your shingles and won’t damage nearby paint or landscaping.
You can also use a bleach solution, but you need to be careful. The chemical can cause damage to plants and grass. Also, you should avoid applying the solution to the roof on a sunny day. This solution can evaporate from the roof, so it is better to apply it on a cloudy day.
Bleach is the most common roof cleaner. It is the preferred solution by the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association. However, if you’re not sure whether or not it’s safe for your shingles, ask the company you’re using. It is a very strong chemical, and it can damage the shingles. However, it can be safely used when diluted and rinsed thoroughly.
When cleaning your roof, always choose a soft wash instead of high-pressure washing. This method will allow the chemical to do its job without damaging the shingles or tiles.
Avoid brooms
When cleaning your roof, you should avoid using brooms to scrub it. While brooms can remove algae and moss from the surface of your roof, their bristles can also damage the shingles. Likewise, you should not use pressure washers to clean your roof.
Instead, use a multipurpose broom that can be used indoors and outdoors. A broom that is angled is the best, as it allows you to reach into the roof’s corners and remove stubborn dirt. Choosing an ash broom is another option that allows you to get a better view of your roof’s surface. It comes with two palmyra bristles and a long handle. Another option is a roof brush. These brushes are made of sturdy fibers and come with inbuilt squeegees.
A garden sprayer is also a good option. It can be used to spray the roof with a solution of chlorine bleach or water. Chlorine bleach contains sodium hypochlorite, which kills algae and is effective in cleaning roof shingles. Sodium hydroxide, or lye, is also an effective cleaner. These cleaning solutions are effective, but they must be applied with caution. Moreover, you should wear safety gear and make sure that you do not harm your home’s landscaping.
Another way to clean your roof is by using a blower. These machines work well to remove debris from your roof. And unlike brooms, they won’t hurt the shingles. You can use them without bending over, but they don’t always make nice piles.
Avoid moss growth
To avoid moss growth, the first step is to identify the moss-prone areas on your roof and treat them properly. Moss is particularly common on roofs that have overhanging branches, which provides a perfect environment for moss growth. Cut these branches off to avoid disturbing existing moss, but also to prevent new growths. To kill moss, you can use a moss killer solution or household bleach. However, you must keep in mind that the solution may damage your roof shingles, and it can also damage plants and trees. To protect your plants from the moss-killing solution, you can place them under plastic sheeting. This can be purchased from your hardware store.
The best way to clean moss is by hand or with a soft-bristle scrub brush. When using a scrubbing brush, make sure you work in gentle, downward motions to avoid lifting the shingles. Always use a cleaning solution that is non-abrasive and doesn’t damage nearby plants or shingles.
Another option is to apply zinc or copper strips to the surface of your roof. These oxidizing bleaching agents are less toxic than chlorine and will help prevent moss growth. However, they may stain the shingle and ruin the roof’s finish. For this reason, zinc should not be used as the first option.
If you don’t have a professional roof cleaner to use, you can also make a homemade solution by mixing a mild detergent or bleach with water. It is best to use the solution on a cloudy day, as it will evaporate too quickly in the sun. When using a home-made cleaner, you can also use plastic sheeting to protect plants, pathways, and siding from getting ruined by the chemical. Popular moss cleaners include Moss B Ware, Bayer 2-in-1 Moss and Algae Killer, and Wet & Forget. Just make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s directions when applying the cleaner.
Clean shingles with vinegar
It is not a very difficult task to clean the roof shingles of your home using a solution of vinegar and dish soap. This mixture is cheap and readily available. To increase its effectiveness, you can add a little bit of dish soap to it. However, it’s advisable to use a higher concentration if you have a severe blemish or damage. Another advantage of using this solution is that it does not damage nearby landscaping or paint.
Using vinegar is one of the best methods for cleaning roof shingles, but there are some precautions that you should follow. The main concern is that this mixture may weaken the shingles, making them vulnerable to wind and nails. Also, you should use it only if the shingles are ruined by fungi. It is also important to use the proper safety measures and read the label on the product.
Before you begin cleaning the roof with the mixture, you should make sure that you thoroughly wet the roof before you apply it. Let the mixture sit for about 20 to 45 minutes, then scrub it off lightly with a soft-bristled brush. Afterward, you should rinse the solution off the shingles with water.
Another option to clean the roof with vinegar is to use dish soap. Dish soap works well for small patches of moss. If you can’t find the right mixture, you can use dish soap instead. Just remember to be patient while waiting for the moss to die off. Once the moss has died, you can rinse the roof with water.
If you don’t have the time to apply the mixture properly, you can simply spray it on the roof with a garden hose. This solution will effectively remove most types of roof damage, though you may have to apply it several times to get a good result. It may take up to a year before the stains come off. This cleaner is a bit more expensive than the other options, but it’s much safer for the environment. Unlike bleach, the vinegar-based solution won’t damage your roof.
