Generally, your roof will last for many years, and you will not have to replace it frequently. However, you will have trouble if you ignore your roof and do not take care of it.
Embarrassing black streaks. Moss, that has gotten out of hand. Yucky lichen.
Simply getting one of them on your roof will not only ruin its appearance but will also decrease its longevity.
How frequently do you call roofers Melbourne for roof maintenance? How often do you clean your roof?
While it is not the most attractive chore, monthly roof cleaning is necessary to keep your roof in good condition.
Why should you clean your roof?
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Enhance energy efficiency
A clean roof improves your home’s energy efficiency by raising insulation levels, which decreases heating expenditures in the winter and cooling bills in the summer.
A clean roof also helps to keep pests away, such as birds and rats, which may try to enter through small gaps in the eaves or vents at the top of your house.
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Prevent future leaks
Debris, such as twigs, leaves, and dirt that build on the surface of your roof, can cause damage over time.
This debris might start to seep into the roofing material, causing it to decay or break due to moisture absorption. This can lead to a leaking roof requiring roofing restoration Melbourne.
Regularly eliminating these impurities from your roof can lessen the probability of your property leaking during severe storms.
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Increase aesthetic appeal
For every homeowner, a dirty roof is an eyesore. It is also ugly from inside the house (particularly if you have a flat or low-sloped roof), which can impact curb appeal and sellability.
Moreover, when it comes to reselling your property, a clean roof will make it seem nicer and more desirable to potential buyers.
How often should you clean your roof?
The frequency with which you clean your roof is determined by the type of roofing material you have applied. The following factors influence how frequently you should clean your roof:
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Roof type
Roof type largely affects the frequency of cleaning. If your home roof is flat, it will require more cleaning after severe weather and wind. On the contrary, dirt and debris will easily clear off if your roof is sloppy.
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Roof age
The age of your roof also influences how frequently you should clean it.
If your roof has been installed for more than 10 years, roofers Melbourne recommends cleaning it at least every two years so that there is no accumulation of dirt or dust on the surface.
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Climate
Roofs in extremely hot, humid regions may require more regular cleaning than those in dry climates.
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Moss amount
Moss grows best in shaded regions and when there is moisture on the roof. So, keep an eye out for it and remove it as soon as it appears.
Tailored roof cleaning checklist for your roof
1.Asphalt shingles
Asphalt shingle roofs are the most popular and common form of a residential roof. They are well-known for their cheap upkeep.
While no additional actions are required, avoiding pressure-cleaning asphalt shingle roofs is critical. Shingles can be badly damaged by high pressure.
It is also best to avoid using strong agents such as bleach, which can discolour or prematurely destroy the shingles.
Keep an eye out for particles from your asphalt shingles that have accumulated in your gutters. While this is normal on new roofs, it may signify that an older roof needs roofing restoration Melbourne.
2.Clay and concrete tiles
Aggressive chemicals and pressure washers can erode tile roof coatings and paint. Roof cleaning in such harsh ways necessitates re-coating the seal and paint to preserve the roof from dirt and moss infestation. Tiles are also extremely brittle and may readily fracture under pressure.
So, when feasible, avoid such cleaning tactics.
Additionally, it is critical not to walk on tile rooftops. If you must work on your tile roof, use plywood with a foam coating on the bottom. This will relieve pressure and evenly distribute your weight.
Also Read: Make Your Roof Winter Ready With This Maintenance Checklist
3.Wood shake and shingles
Carefully maintain wood shakes and shingles because improper roof cleaning can easily cause damage to them and call for roofing restoration Melbourne.
It is critical to steer clear from pressure washing your wood roof. Pressure washing can raise wood shakes and shingles or trap water behind them, resulting in leaks.
It is also best to avoid using strong chemicals like bleach or ammonia when cleaning a wood roof. Such chemicals may stain your roof’s paint and metal fittings, and runoff may harm your garden and grass.
Removing any moss or lichen from your wood roof as soon as possible is vital.
4.Metal roofs
Metal roofing is extremely prone to rust and corrosion. Furthermore, if various types of metal come into contact with one another, a chemical reaction might occur, causing difficulties with the roofing.
In order to preserve a metal roof in good condition, roofers Melbourne examines it for rust, corrosion, and apparent debris and growth. Cleaning this style of roof requires only one mild washing treatment each year.
5.Cedar shake and shingles
Cedar shake roofs have different requirements than other wood shingles, but they are similar in terms of cleaning and maintenance.
To prevent debris and moisture buildup, you should keep overhanging branches trimmed away from cedar roofs. This allows cedar to breathe.
During your biannual inspections and cleanings, clean the gutters and downspouts. Ventilation is essential for maintaining your cedar roof in excellent condition.
6.Slate shingles
Slate shingles are a gorgeous roofing material but are fragile and expensive to replace.
As slate is easily cleaved and absorbent, regular roof cleaning is essential. Moss and debris buildup on slate roofs trap moisture, which can crack them over the winter.
When cleaning a slate roof, avoid using ammonia or chlorine bleach. These aggressive chemicals are incompatible with your slate roof’s copper components.
Final thoughts!
Scrubbing your roof by hand from a ladder is a dangerous chore, and using a pressure washer incorrectly might result in removing your roof along with the algae, moss, or dirt. So, hiring roofers Melbourne to clean your roof is considerably safer and easier.
