Is Regular Roof Cleaning Bad for a Home?

If you’re a homeowner wondering if roof cleaning is bad for a home, the answer is both yes and no! Before you get confused, check out some reasons why you should invest in professional roof washing and especially if you live in the tropics or desert areas, and then some cautions about how roof washing might damage a home and how to avoid that damage.

As always, check with a local pressure washing contractor when it comes to questions you have about exterior power washing and especially roof cleaning, so you know what's best for your property. Their expertise can ensure that your home is always in good condition and spotlessly clean, from top to bottom!

Why Roof Cleaning Is Good For a Home
Before you go another year without needed roof washing, check out the following reasons why you’ll want to call a roof cleaning contractor near you so he or she can tackle your home’s roof!

Roof cleaning protects shingles and tiles from damage
Roof washing cleans away storm debris that might work its way under shingles, tiles, flashing, and other roofing materials. If left unchecked, this debris can loosen those materials, causing damage and increasing the risk of losing shingles in a storm or high winds!

Regular roof cleaning also removes drying soot, dust, acid rain and air pollution residues, and other damaging debris. You will typically get far more years of life from your home’s shingles, tiles, and other materials when you invest in regular roof washing.

Roof washing is especially vital in tropical or desert areas, where sand, silt, and other gritty debris settle onto a roof rather easily! In tropical areas, saltwater can also settle onto roofs, where it then dries out shingles and tiles. According to Tampa Bay Roof Cleaning, which specializes in soft wash roof cleaning homes, all that seawater residue, sand, silt, and just general grit can even work its way into roof vents and gutters. To protect your home from damage, schedule regular roof washing and especially if you live near large bodies of water!

Roof cleaning improves outdoor air quality
Exterior pressure washing improves outdoor air quality, allowing you to breathe easier and enjoy a more welcoming environment! How so? Pressure washing a roof and exterior walls cleans away bothersome pollen, dried dust, grass clippings, lawn care chemicals, mold, and other irritants clinging to your home!

While a house might not have grass clippings and lawn care chemicals along its roof, consider how much dust and other bothersome debris a roof often holds, and that these irritants get blown onto your deck or patio area easily. Regular roof cleaning removes those residues and any lingering odors they produce, for a fresher, cleaner outdoor environment.

Regular roof washing improves curb appeal
A roof might be the last thing you consider when it’s time to tidy up your property, but homeowners are often surprised at how a clean roof improves a home’s curb appeal overall! Layers of unsightly dirt and grime, as well as mold and algae, detract from a property’s appearance, creating a rundown, dingy look.

On the other hand, roof pressure washing improves a home’s appearance instantly! Removing unsightly dirt and mud restores shingle and tile color, and cleaning away mold, moss, and mildew ensures your entire house looks its best.

When Is Roof Cleaning Bad For a Home?
While roof cleaning is an excellent investment in any home, this doesn’t mean you should run down to the hardware store to buy or rent some pressure washing equipment quite yet! Roof washing is damaging to homes when done incorrectly; for example, if you were to use too much pressure on shingles, you might strip away their protective granules, leaving behind an unsafe surface that allows pooling water on the roof.

Roof pressure washing also needs to be performed according to a roof’s structure, with the wand held either above shingles and tiles or along their side. Starting from the bottom of a roof and working your way up is a surefire way to loosen shingles, tiles, flashing, and other materials.

Inexperienced homeowners might also assume that using more pressure is the best way to remove stubborn dirt and grime from a roof, or those tough layers of caked-on debris. However, too much pressure can outright strip shingles off the roof, split or crack clay tiles, and damage flashing and chimney brick!

Rather than more pressure, it’s often best to use a cleanser designed to dissolve thick dirt and grime including mud, dust, soot, and even oil stains. Soft wash pressure washing systems start with specialty cleansers that work their way through thick dirt and mud, so that only gentle pressure is needed to wash everything away. To ensure a safe yet thorough roof cleaning for your home, avoid trying to DIY this job and leave it to a soft wash pressure washing company instead!