Roof Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

Informational

Summer is the perfect time for home improvements and roof cleaning and maintenance! The weather is getting nicer, we are spending more time outside, which means noticing all the exterior projects on our homes we have been putting off. One of those projects is roof cleaning and maintenance!

Roof cleaning and maintenance will not only keep your home looking its best, but it will protect your home from damage often caused by organic debris and moss build-up. If your roof is less than 20 years old but is looking a little worn after this last winter season, you should consider having it professionally cleaned.
Roof Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

Roof Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

Moss

Here in the Pacific Northwest, it rains on average 6 months out of the year. If anyone could use some roof cleaning and maintenance tips, it’s the people who live in this area! Moss is prominent in the Pacific Northwest and can grow on shingles, rooting into the shingles themselves. Each root creates a small channel for water to penetrate into. Eventually, it will affect the seal that binds the shingles together as well, which if left untreated can lead to a leaking roof. Since moss loves to hold water, it will help create a perfect environment for black algae to grow. Remove moss from your roof to keep your roof beautiful and functional.

Roof Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

Black Algae

Have you ever noticed unsightly black streaks and darker shingles on your roof? That is black algae. Black algae thrive in a moist environment, like Puget Sound. Algae feed on the organic material in the roof and will escalate granule loss and eventually cause the shingle to break down. As the asphalt breaks down, the shingles will begin to fail. When this happens, it allows the UV rays to soak in, rather than reflecting them. This allows water to penetrate the shingles. Black algae can cut the life of a roof in half in some cases and should be treated before it begins to spread.

Roof Debris

Removing debris is a regular part of roof cleaning and maintenance for a roof. Twigs, leaves, and other light debris can damage your roofing system. While it may be tempting to put off removing the debris or assuming that leaves and small branches will eventually fall off your roof, it’s important to remove the debris as soon as possible. The debris on the roof can also invite bacteria and other organisms to grow and thrive on your roof. Debris can also become home to small pests and insects, which will eventually intrude upon and damage your home.
Debris that is not removed from your roof can be brought down into the gutter system by the wind and rain. Eventually clogging the gutters leading to damage to more than just your roof!

Clogged Gutters

The sole purpose of a gutter system is to divert water away from your home and its foundation. When your gutters are obstructed by leaves, sticks and other debris, this can cause clogs. Clogged gutters allow water to backflow causing water damage and rot on fascia boards, soffits, and even roof-deck. An overflowing gutter system will allow water to run down the siding and onto the foundation often damaging the siding over time as well as the foundation of the home. Given the opportunity, water can ruin virtually any part of your home, which makes this a paramount detail about roof cleaning and maintenance.

roof cleaning and maintenance
You can see that all these issues can cause damage alone but often lead to other issues creating a situation hazardous to your entire home. It is extremely important to clean your gutters a minimum of once a year. You should do clean your gutters more often if you have overhanging trees and after a big storm, especially here in the Pacific Northwest due to the wild weather and terrain.