Sarasota Roof Cleaning protects your home from the elements, making it essential to keep it clean. Regular cleaning keeps mold, fungus, and moss from growing, which will help maintain the value of your home and prevent water damage.
Most roofing material types can be cleaned safely using eco-friendly cleaners that avoid chlorine bleach and high-pressure washing. These formulas are safe for kids and pets and won’t wear down your shingles.
If your roof is covered in algae, moss, mildew, or mold, it may need to be cleaned. These organisms can damage a roof and cause rot, leaks, and structural problems. They can also cause serious health problems for homeowners and their families. Breathing in mold and mildew spores can lead to respiratory issues, allergies, and nausea. Additionally, moss and algae can create dark streaks on the roof and discolor its surface.
Algae grow from spores carried by wind or birds and animals, which settle on moist surfaces. They are not plants, but they use photosynthesis to produce energy and do not require roots or leaves to thrive. They typically form on the northern exposure of a roof because it receives less sunlight and dries slower than other parts of the house.
A licensed roofing contractor can recommend the best way to remove moss and algae from your roof. The most effective method is to use a mixture of water and bleach to wash the organisms off the roof. A chlorine bleach solution is powerful enough to kill the organisms, but it’s important to spray the entire roof with clean water afterward to prevent lingering traces of bleach on the shingles.
To keep moss and algae from growing back once you’ve scrubbed away the growth, consider installing zinc strips near the roof’s peak. These strips can be purchased from a local metal supplier or online and are much cheaper than copper. They also provide a nice metallic touch to the roof. In addition to the physical damage that algae can do to shingles, it can also prematurely age them by stripping away their granules. This can affect the shingles’ ability to reflect sunlight and cool the house.
A roof’s surface is not only a reflection of a house’s cleanliness, but it also protects it. Regularly cleaning your roof will extend its life by removing contaminants that weaken its materials. This includes dirt, moss, mildew, and other growths. These organisms cling to shingles and tiles, preventing rainwater from flowing freely. The result is a damp roof that could cause problems with the structure of your home and lead to leaks, mold, fungus, and rot.
Most build-up is harmless, but if your roof is heavily infested with moss and algae it can become heavier and prevent rainwater from flowing freely. In addition, moss and algae can hold moisture, speeding up the natural degrading of roofing materials. If your roof is overgrown, it can also reduce the efficiency of your gutter system and affect the appearance of your home.
Having a clean roof can increase the resale value of your home and improve its curb appeal. It can also help keep your family comfortable, especially if you live in a hot climate. The first sign that your roof is in need of a good clean is usually when ugly black streaks begin to show, caused by the growth of blue-green algae.
There are two main methods of roof cleaning, which are pressure washing and soft washing. Pressure washing uses highly pressurized water to remove moss, dirt, and other contaminants. It is not recommended for shingle roofs, however, because the forceful water can damage the shingles and cause them to crack, peel, or blister. Soft washing, also known as chemical washing, is a gentler method that uses biodegradable chemicals to remove contaminants. It’s ideal for shingles and other softer roofing materials and extends the life of your roof and siding.
Both mildew and mold are fungi that thrive in damp areas, and they can cause serious damage to your home and health problems for people with respiratory issues. However, they differ in appearance and growth patterns. Learning to distinguish between the two can help you treat them effectively and safeguard your home from future infestations.
Mildew is a thin white or gray growth that thrives on the surface of materials. It typically looks dry or powdery and grows flat. It is easier to remove than other types of fungi, such as mold. Mold is more invasive and can penetrate the surface of materials to damage them from inside out. It can also produce toxic spores that can cause illness in those who touch or inhale them.
Keeping both mildew and mold away is a matter of balancing moisture with temperature. Mildew usually requires warmer, sunnier weather, while mold can grow in colder temperatures, too. Air temperatures at or below the dew point can inhibit mold growth.
A good way to prevent the growth of mildew and other fungi is to keep surfaces dry. Keep a towel or washcloth nearby to wipe away any wet spots on walls and doors. Hang or spread out washcloths, towels and clothes to dry quickly after use. Avoid leaving wet items bunched together or hanging over things that can’t be washed, such as curtains and rugs. Also, never leave food or condiments in damp containers.
Sometimes roof shingles get dark streaks of staining that aren’t caused by dirt, mildew or algae but by a bacteria called Gloeocapsa Magma. These spores travel through the air and land on the roof, especially in shady areas that retain moisture longer. While this staining doesn’t harm shingles, it can be unsightly and detract from your home’s value. A professional roof cleaner can use a low-pressure spray of oxygenated bleach to treat the staining and remove it.
Pressure washers should never be used on a shingle roof because the high-pressure water can rip the fibres and shorten their life. This type of cleaning is also ineffective at removing moss and lichens that hold on tenaciously and can cause further damage to the roof surface.
A good alternative is to use a chemical treatment for black roof stains. This solution contains oxygenated bleach which is less harmful to the environment and works better at removing stubborn stains than chlorine bleach. The mixture is applied to the roof and allowed to sit for 20 minutes. The shingles are then rinsed thoroughly with a garden hose (not a pressure washer). The runoff from the roof should be caught and filtered to prevent harming the yard, shrubs, and trees.
To avoid the problem altogether, consider a non-staining roofing shingle when buying your next roof. Some manufacturers offer non-staining warranties that will protect the shingles for several years after installation, so be sure to check carefully before making your purchase. Also, make sure your roof cleaner is properly trained and certified to use the soft washing technique on shingle roofs. This method uses less force and is recommended by the ARMA.
Clogged gutters do a lot of damage to your home. They can cause roof leaks, and they also encourage mold and mildew. If these problems are left unattended, they can also cause other serious structural problems. That’s why you need to clean your gutters regularly.
Gutters are vital because they collect and divert rainwater away from the foundation of your home. If your gutters become clogged, they will overflow with water and may spill onto the ground and splash over the sides of your house. This can saturate the soil around your foundation, weakening its structure and causing it to crack. This can lead to basement flooding, which will require costly repairs.
Another problem caused by clogged gutters is that water pools on the roof and with nowhere else to go, it begins to seep into your home through joints, such as where the wall meets the ceiling. This can cause stains in the attic and on the ceiling, and it may lead to rotted wood and wet sheetrock.
Clogged gutters can also destroy your landscaping and garden. When they overflow, the running water will wash away topsoil and introduce mud and sand to your beautiful lawn and flowerbeds. It will also wash away mulch and expose your plants to fungal growth. Finally, the standing water in clogged gutters provides an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, which can spread disease. They can also spawn wood-eating pests like termites and carpenter ants. That’s why cleaning your gutters is a must if you want to maintain the beauty and value of your property.