The roof is one of the most important parts of a house. It protects against bad weather, and the consequences of its deterioration would be catastrophic for comfort … and finances. In addition, a well-maintained roof is more beautiful, stronger, and waterproof. Here is an overview of the tips for cleaning it properly.
For the professional roof cleaning services in Federal Way. You can take the assistance of Premier Janitorial. It is a well-known cleaning services company
When to clean your roof?
Roof cleaning is done twice a year. Spring is the ideal season to ensure that the roof covering has not suffered any damage due to winter aggressions. The occasion is also ideal to clean the roof in anticipation of the summer. In autumn, the roof must be cleared of dead leaves, mosses, molds, lichens, fungi, etc.
Cleaning your roof yourself is done in several steps:
- Equip yourself with a ladder whose length exceeds the top of the gutter by at least one meter;
- Wear good sneakers to avoid slipping and put a wedge at the bottom of the ladder;
- Use pruning shears to remove the vegetation that has accumulated and obstructs the gutter ;
- Apply an anti-foam product with a brush or sprayer, then leave to act;
- Depending on the type of roof, use a high/low-pressure cleaner or a stiff brush to remove debris;
- Install the crapaudines beforehand at the end of the gutter and throw the waste into it;
- Apply a water repellent treatment, then rinse the roof with a low-pressure cleaner.
Have your roof cleaned by a professional
Calling on a professional to clean a roof is recommended to benefit from its expertise. Maintenance by a professional is done in three stages:
- Cleaning the roof with concentrated bleach or a high-pressure cleaner;
- Surface treatment with a water repellent and anti-foam product ;
- Re-waterproofing with resin-based paint.
Using a roofing tradesman or roof cleaning company is safer for those who have no basic roof maintenance knowledge. In addition, it is prohibited for an individual to clean his roof himself if the accommodation has more than one storey or if the slope is too steep. A roof maintenance service does not include waterproofing, asbestos removal from the roof, or replacement of tiles. On the other hand, the zinc roofer must check the condition of the roof during cleaning. The cost of this operation varies from 20 to 45 euros per square meter.
Roof cleaning methods
The maintenance technique depends on the type of roof and the material used (slates, tiles, zinc, wood, steel, polycarbonate).
Two methods are possible for the cleaning phase.
High-pressure roof cleaning
This method is recommended for extreme soiling, but it is not suitable for all roofs due to the power of the jet. Better to avoid it for slates and tiles, which could weaken, crack or break. Furthermore, the effect of a high-pressure cleaner does not last long enough. To prevent the appearance of foams, it is often necessary to apply an anti-foam treatment.
Roof cleaning with a concentrated bleach
The concentrated cleaning bleach is the most economical solution because it instantly removes the foam. Its use is prohibited on tiled roofs because bleach and chlorine are powerful products most often suitable for cleaning the floor. The roof can thus weaken by simple contact.
The roof treatment phase
Cleaning the roof surface is not enough to keep it clean and tidy all year round, regardless of the method used. Lichen and moss reappear quite quickly, then moisten the materials and make them porous. It is therefore recommended to apply a water repellent and anti-foam treatment once the roof has been cleaned. These products fight the appearance of moss and protect the roof from porosity as well as humidity.
Several anti-foam spray products are commercially available.
- Concentrated and solvent products
The anti-foam treatment diluted with water and concentrated is the most common. They are ready to use and apply to the roof with a sprayer. The rain will sweep away the moss in a natural and gradual way.
- Fast-acting solutions with rinsing
The fast-acting defoamers get rid of moss, fungi, lichen, or traces of pollution from the roof in fifteen minutes and require rinsing.
- Leave-in treatments
Leave-in solutions work slowly and are often biodegradable. For effective action, they should be applied during dry and hot seasons, as results appear after two months.
- Water repellent treatments
Applying a water repellent treatment is optional but recommended. Water-repellent solutions are preventive treatments that help fight against humidity. They delay the appearance of moss for one to ten years depending on the product used, and guarantee the roof’s longevity. Water repellent products are compatible with all types of roofs (thatch, concrete, tile or steel). They are available in several colors or in a colorless version. As for the application, it is done by several coats of spray or with a brush, depending on the product chosen.
Some anti-foam treatments already incorporate a water-repellent formula. These practical and economical solutions are interesting, but it is better to seek advice from the roofer-galvanizer or the seller before any purchase.
- The roof waterproofing phase
Once the cleaning and anti-foam treatment steps have been completed, it is possible to increase the resistance of the roof with a protective coating. It waterproofs the roof while giving it a new appearance. This product protects porous roofs like concrete, ceramic or unglazed tiles from moss invasion and bad weather. The high-pressure cleaning can weaken the cover; a protective layer is necessary. A protective coating preserves the roof for fifteen to twenty years.
- Tip: check the roof insulation
Is the roof well insulated? On the occasion of snowfall, we can judge, from the outside, the performance of the house’s insulation. Whether the snow has melted on the roof while it is still present on that of its neighbors is that the blanket is warm, and therefore the insulation is not as effective as it should …
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