How to Clean Roof Stains – While hiring a professional is always the best course of action when you have a dirty roof, sometimes you want to try a DIY job, especially for those in-between washes. If you’re handy around the house and have the proper equipment, you can tackle this task on your own or with a buddy for efficiency and safety.
While you may assume those black streaks on the north- and west-facing as well as shaded areas of your asphalt roof are comprised of mold, they’re actually likely algae colonies. This algae loves moisture and the limestone that fills in between your shingles, so it will only grow and proliferate if not treated.
Roof Cleaning Ocean County – First, you’ll need the right equipment to get started. Pick the following up at the home improvement store or take a look around your shed:
- Full-body harness
- Garden sprayer
- Garden hose
- Non-toxic, non-corrosive roof-cleaning chemical
- Applicator and rinsing tool
- Ladder with stabilizers
When choosing chemicals, it’s important to get something that’s gentle enough on your roofing material, home exterior and surrounding vegetation, yet tough enough to get the stains out. Whatever you do, don’t go with chlorine bleach and a power washer rental. First off, even at the gentlest setting, traditional power washers can cause damage to paint, siding, gutters, and roof accessories. Second, bleach can lighten your roof’s coloring as well as anything the spray of liquid comes into contact with. Not to mention bleach kills plants. Bottom line is, bleach may kill the first layer of algae but it won’t get it all off. Remember, if you don’t get it all, the algae will just come back stronger than ever.
A better option is sodium hydroxide (lye) products, which won’t kill your plants or lighten your roofing. However, it does have corrosive properties, so you want to be sure you’re wearing full protective safety gear. When perusing products at the store, make sure you choose one that’s safe for the environment AND noncorrosive to get the best of both worlds.
Roof Cleaning Ocean County – Before beginning the cleaning, check the weather forecast to ensure optimal conditions: cool or overcast day with no wind. Take a look at your roof and repair any loose shingles or flashings, then clean the gutters of any debris. Cover up any bushes in close proximity to your home to protect them.
Now, you’re ready to clean. First soak the shingles with the cleaner, going from bottom to top. When you see runoff, you can consider it sufficiently soaked. Next, use the sprayer to get the dirt off, going in a back and forth motion like you would if you were vacuuming. Let dry. Repeat if needed.
In order to prevent algae growth from re-occurring, it’s smart to install zinc or copper strips along the ridge or coat the roof with a stain-blocking solution.
Call the professionals at Clearview Washing – Roof Cleaning Ocean County at 732-462-1187 if you need help with any of the above steps.
Roof Cleaning Ocean County
