How to clean your roof

Over time, you can expect your roof to become dirty. Harsh weather, natural debris and a build-up of algae and moss can leave it looking less than its best. Whilst natural rainfall can help to wash off most dirt, regular cleaning is necessary as well. Read on to find out how to clean your roof. 

Tips for cleaning your roof

When it comes to cleaning your home, your first thought might not be to get up on the roof and start scrubbing. However, keeping your roof clean really is essential, not just for maintaining the appearance of your home, but for keeping it in good condition and extending its longevity. Without regular cleaning your roof can begin to deteriorate, which means it will need replacing more quickly. Keep reading to learn how to clean your roof effectively. 

Perform manual scraping

Manually scraping the roof tiles can allow you to remove the moss, algae and dirt effectively. You can do this using a stiff long-handled brush and a trowel. Starting at the top of the roof, you’ll need to remove each tile individually before scraping the moss away, including along the ridges and grooves. Brush the tiles afterwards in order to remove the stubborn bits. Scrape the moss and other debris into a bucket to allow you to correctly dispose of it. You can simply throw moss into a bin since there are no specific requirements for disposal. 

Avoid pressure washing your roof 

Whilst some people do choose to pressure wash their roofs, it’s not advisable. Not only is it ineffective for getting rid of some types of dirt such as algae and lichen spores but it can also cause serious damage to your roof. A pressure washer is a very powerful tool that can damage the tiles, as well as cause water to enter through any small holes or cracks in the roof, causing water damage in your home. Whilst pressure washing may be a cheap option for cleaning your roof, it’s not the best one. 

Carry out soft washing 

Whilst pressure washing tends to be too harsh for most roofs, soft washing can be a more effective method. Soft washing uses a much lower amount of pressure, reducing the risk of damage occurring to the roof. Treatments are also applied to kill moss, algae, and lichens which may have seeped into the organic growths, killing them from within without requiring the force of a powerful pressure washer to remove them. Soft washing your roof will achieve a perfectly uniform clean, with the results visible on the very same day as the procedure is carried out. The results of soft washing your roof last much longer than pressure washing too, ensuring that it will stay in better condition for longer. 

Steam cleaning

Steam cleaning is a good option for certain types of roofs. Not only is it completely safe for roof tiles and shingles but it is one of the most effective methods for roof cleaning out there. You need to carry out steam cleaning gently under very low pressure. The flow rate should be between 6-10 litres per minute at around 14 degrees. Steam cleaning can achieve a fantastic finish for your roof, leaving it beautifully clean. 

Apply biocidal roof wash

One of the most popular roof cleaning methods is applying a biocidal wash. This is a concentrated biocide designed to deeply penetrate the external substrate to achieve the quick and efficient removal of moss, algae, and lichen. Manual scraping off the roof followed by applying a biocidal roof wash provides a gentle and long-lasting solution to cleaning your roof. The biocide will kill any remaining living organisms on the roof, including moss spores and lichen. With all the surface dirt lifted too, you can expect your roof tiles to be returned to close to their original colour once again. 

Call in a professional roofing contractor

One of the biggest tips for cleaning your roof is to hire a local roofing contractor to do the work. It is possible for you to clean your roof yourself. However, the job will be carried out more safely and to a higher standard if you call in the experts. Not only could you injure yourself trying to clean your roof but you could cause damage to your property too, which could be very costly to fix. At Raven Roofing and Repairs, we’re on hand to clean your domestic roofing in Grimsby. 

How often should you clean your roof?

Generally, we recommend getting your roof professionally cleaned once a year. Annual cleaning not only keeps your roof looking its best but it allows you to identify problems early before they can get worse. Having said this, if your roof was recently installed or you’re pretty confident it’s in good shape, roof cleaning may only need to be carried out every two years or so. 

Cleaning for domestic roofing in Grimsby 

If you’re looking for cleaning for domestic roofing in Grimsby, look no further than Raven Roofing and Repairs. We can clean roofs of all types, using the best methods to remove all manner of dirt and grime effectively. Our prices are some of the most competitive in the area too, which means you can get your roof cleaned without paying a small fortune. Cleaning your roof regularly is an investment worth making. 

Contact us

At Raven Roofing, we know how to clean your roof to a very high standard. To arrange cleaning of your domestic roofing in Grimsby, call us on 01472 565 084. Alternatively, send us a message via our website. We will get back to you as quickly as we can with the answers to your questions.