What is Roofing Cleaning and is it Necessary for North County CA Homeowners?

Roof cleaning is extremely important for your home. Many people ignore their roofing because it is not visible, but it is important to take good care of it. When the siding on the exterior is dirty or the paint starts peeling, the home starts looking dingy, homeowners find a way of fixing it.

No One Likes a Problem Especially When it Comes to Your Roof

A dirty roof can ruin the curb appeal of a home and even cause damage to your roof. This is why it is important to ensure the roof is clean and not go too long without proper maintenance done by a professional roofing contractor in Rancho Santa Fe, CA, or your local area.

The roofing is exposed to elements all day, every day. Debris and dirt collect on the roof. Rain can sometimes wash off the appearance of dirt, but there are green areas and dark stains that remain. These could be the result of algae, moss, Fungus/Lichen. Cleaning them is harder than cleaning normal dirt.

Why Should You Clean Your Roof?

The main reason for cleaning the roof is to extend the lifespan of the roofing material, e.g. shingles. While algae cannot damage asphalt shingles, moss can. They can cause the edges to curl upwards, which makes it easier for the wind to blow them off during windy weather. Algae can also affect the performance of your shingles. This is the case for those with a cool or reflective roof. Alae interferes with the reflective properties.

Moss Can Cause the Wood to Rot Because They Hold Water

Moss can cause the wood to rot because they hold water. This makes the roofing susceptible to wood rot and leaks. You will notice it growing between shingles, which is the last place water evaporates from. It is easy to spot moss growth, but many homeowners don’t know when the wood starts to rot. You cannot know the extent of the damage until you call a professional. When the damage is not noticed earlier, it gets worse. There are times when you have to replace the entire roofing.

During Roof Cleaning, the Focus is to Kill and Remove Moss and Algae Growth

During roof cleaning, the focus is to kill and remove moss and algae growth. A good option to use in cleaning is Chlorine bleach, the same used when whitening laundry or scrubbing the toilet. It can kill the moss and algae spores. It is not a good idea to use a pressure washer on asphalt shingles because it can damage them.

Mix Chlorine bleach and water at a ratio of 1:1 then put it on the surface. Leave it for up to 20 minutes then rinse using clean water. The remaining algae are going to be washed by rain showers. A leaf blower works well in removing leftover pieces of moss.

Think Their Roof Needs to be Replaced When it Needs to be Cleaned

There are homeowners who think their roof needs to be replaced when it needs to be cleaned. It is a good idea to clean the roof first before deciding whether to replace it or not. Alga can sometimes make the roofing look worse than it actually is.

Hiring a roofing contractor in Rancho Santa Fe, CA or a local cleaning company is the best option because they have the experience and tools just like Bob Piva Roofing.

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