Everything Simpsonville Residents Need To Know About Roof Cleaning

Do I Really Need to Clean My Roof?

Simpsonville homeowners, to better understand the importance of roof washing, consider what happens to roofs with time. Let's take a moment to explain where those ugly black streaks originate and why they are much more damaging than just being an eyesore.

Why You Need To Care For Your Roof?

As an Upstate homeowner, one of the best decisions that you can make is cleaning your roof. There are many different roofs, but most Upstate homes are shingle or metal, with shingle being the majority. No matter which material the roof in your home might be made with, it is likely to be exposed to the elements every day. It is responsible for protecting your home and belongings. However, it is vital that you know that replacing a roof will be very expensive and time-consuming, which is why you must ensure proper maintenance to get the entire lifetime of your roof.

What Happens To Roofs With Time?

Roofs are exposed to the harshest of weather conditions. This is why you must keep them clean to prolong their life. Fortunately, it is quite easy to clean them. All you need to do is ensure specific care depending on the material used to create the roof. As roofs have a horizontal surface along with a slope, they typically retain water for a much longer time in comparison to a vertical surface such as a siding or wall. This results in organic matter growing and eating away at your shingles; however, this is especially true if there is shade.

WHAT IS GROWING ON MY ROOF?

A wet and shady environment allows a variety of organic matter to grow on your roof. Even in the absence of any trees, lichen, mildew, mold, algae, and moss can grow. Since the sun does not always shine on the roof, your roof can become a breeding ground for these parasitical growths. These common types of growth can take a toll on the quality of the roof and cause damage.

Mildew and mold are easy to spot on a roof. You should identify them through black and dark areas streaking. This is known as Gloecapsa Magma, or those Ugly Dark Streaks! This is possible where water leaks below the vents or at the side of the roof. However, they can spread quickly and affect the air quality inside your home and even result in a health hazard if left unaddressed.

Moreover, algae can also be seen on roofs. While it is more visible on tile and metal roofs, you should be able to identify it on shingle roofs. Entire sections of green algae can grow. Although it is not as dangerous as mildew, it can damage the surface of your roof with time and is rather unattractive to look at.

Another common culprit that you might find growing on your roof is moss. Bushy green patches will form if your roof gets plenty of shade throughout the day. Since moss grows at the edge and retains moisture for the growth of other matter, it must be treated immediately. Otherwise, it would grow underneath the shingle and remove them from the roof. However, there is no need to worry as we know how to effectively get rid of moss.

Lastly, there is also lichen which can leave your roof looking unattractive. Also, it is rather gross to look at. It is easy to identify; it has a leafy-like appearance and can either be light gray or green in color. Roofs that receive more shade are likely to become a breeding ground for lichen. Hence, regular treatment is necessary to avoid black streaks.

Is It Possible To Scrape Organic Matter from the Roof?

Now, you might think that you can easily scrape organic matter from the roof. However, this is not recommended and will likely void your roof's warranty. It is never a good idea to get on top of your roof to scrape off organic matter. It is rather dangerous and can damage the shingles, whether they are asphalt or even metal. Besides, it would take a lot of time to scrape a roof, and it is not an easy task. You would also be unable to clean the surface properly. A trained professional will use a chemical treatment to clean your roof safely and ensure efficient results.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO CLEAN MY ROOF?

It can be dangerous to treat organic matter that grows on your roof yourself. This is why you need to leave the work to a professional. Being on the roof itself is not safe. Homeowners can easily fall as slips, which are more common than you think. It is also important to remember that spraying any chemical or liquid on a sloped walking surface can be risky as it would become slippery.

As a Simpsonville resident, hiring a professional roof washing company is always a good idea as it ensures that you choose someone who is fully equipped to take on the cleaning. Besides, they know how to access the roof and even have insurance. Therefore, you would not need to worry about anything even if something goes wrong. The experts even know how to apply special chemical treatment from the ground. This eliminates the possibility of any dangerous safety hazards occurring.

CAN ROOF WASHING DAMAGE MY ROOF?

A great thing about roof cleaning is that it does not cause any damage to your roof. No high pressure should be used. The experts will use soft washing to ensure no damage to your roof. This process uses little to no pressure to provide the results you are looking for. A chemical treatment would also be applied and left to dry. No rinsing is needed! All that is left is to let nature rinse away the dead growth over time. Hence, no damage would be caused to your shingles.

IS ROOF CLEANING SAFE?

Yes, roof cleaning is perfectly safe when you leave the work to a professional. It would ensure that proper equipment is used to get the job done right the first time around. Treatment would be applied to the roof and left to dry! Most streaks and matter are gone almost immediately, and some are rinsed after a few rain showers. It should treat organic matter and prevent it from resurfacing any time soon.

How Long Would It Take For Roof Cleaning To Be Completed?

Generally, the roof's material influences how long it takes for it to get cleaned. Generally, it should take around an hour to even eight hours, depending on the complexity and size of your roof. Tile and metal roofs have to be rinsed off after the organic matter has been treated. This is why it would take much longer. For heavy soiling, the treatment would need to be left to dry for a few weeks, and it would ensure that the remaining lichen and moss die and are blown away by the wind. Every time it would rain, your roof would become much cleaner.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET MY ROOF CLEANED?

It is best practice to get your roof cleaned every year or once you notice that organic matter has started to grow back. This would ensure that your roof lasts a long time. The best method is to properly maintain the roof each year to ensure growth does not get out of hand. Ask about our Roof Washing Warranty!

When Should You Get Your Roof Cleaned?

If you notice organic matter actively growing, you will need to get your roof cleaned. Algae, lichen, and moss tend to grow during spring and fall when there is less sunlight. This is due to lower temperatures which cause more moisture retention on your roof. Thus, it is best to get your roof cleaned as soon as you notice those black streaks forming.

HOW MUCH DOES ROOF CLEANING COST?

When it comes to roof cleaning, you should leave the job to professionals as we possess the right equipment and have the appropriate know-how. It would ensure that the job is done right the first time around with efficiency and effectiveness. The roof cleaning price varies from around $0.15 to $0.30 per square foot. However, certain factors determine the price of the job. These factors include the pitch of the roof, ease of access to the roof, and whether there are gutters or not. Also, partial roof cleaning and treatments are available upon request. You must keep in mind that properties that do not have gutters might not be able to be cleaned as the cleaning could damage belongings or vegetation. Moreover, your location also influences the cost of the service.

Advantages of Roof Cleaning

You should have an idea by now of just how beneficial roof cleaning can be. Simply put, when you get your roof cleaned, it boosts your property's curb appeal and extends the roof's life. In addition to this, it also enhances the air quality and prevents various safety hazards.

Conclusion

As a homeowner in Greenville County, you may need to get your roof cleaned every year. It is very safe and ensures that your roof lasts a long period. The fact is that those ugly black streaks on your roof are roof-eating organic matter that needs to be removed. This is why you will need to hire an expert to safely and effectively eliminate it.