Indian Trail experiences hot summers, cold winters, and heavy rainfall every year. Because of being exposed to different weather conditions, your roof can start piling dust, leaves, twigs, mold, and algae. This not just degrades its look but also causes damage to its structure.

If you’ve also noticed stains and algae formation on your roof, you might be considering having it cleaned. However, it’s not as simple as it seems to be. There are certain things to ensure while giving your roof a thorough clean-up. So, here are some expert roof cleaning tips for Indian Trail homeowners.

10 Roof Cleaning Dos and Don’ts By Experts

1. Follow your roof manufacturer/installer’s guidelines.

Roof cleaning is not just as easy as applying a cleaning solution and rinsing it off. It can only be done effectively with the right precautions, especially as per your roof’s construction. Our roof cleaning experts at ARD Cleaning Services always recommend following your roof installer’s guidelines for better results.

The manufacturers already state the cleaning requirements like what brushes to use, what pressure to clean at, and more. Following this step itself reduces a lot of chances of harm while roof cleaning.

2. Never clean without personal fall arrest systems.

Irrespective of whether your home in Indian Trail has a sloped roof or a flat roof, cleaning it can be a risky task. The open edges, lack of friction, and uneven surfaces pose a chance of falling.

Moreover, the cleaning solutions and rinsing water can make it even more slippery. We recommend relying on personal fall arrest systems with proper harnesses to protect yourself in case of slipping from your roof.

3. Avoid direct contact with the roof surface.

Roofs can be infectious due to algae, mold, and other filth. Avoid direct contact with your roof while trying to clean it. And always wear eye protection and rubber gloves to protect yourself. Further, use a ladder or walk boards while removing moss from the roof.

4. Protect the surrounding areas and landscape while cleaning.

Many times, the products that you use or the grime that you wash away can harm the surrounding areas, especially the landscape. It is advised to cover/protect the plants, shrubs, and trees to avoid damaging them while cleaning.

5. Never clean the entire roof at one time – go sectionally.

If you try to cover the entire roof all at once, the detergents may dry and make the cleaning even harder for you. Our roof cleaning pros suggest going section-wise.

This not just helps you focus better on cleaning small areas but also helps with a thorough cleaning. The cleaned and dried areas will also give you space while you clean.

6. Don’t use bleach and TSP for roof cleaning.

Bleach is considered the default cleaner for roofs. However, even after diluting, it can be a hazardous cleaner to work with.

Your roof can also face discoloration while providing temporary effectiveness, says Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA).

Instead, use green cleaners to avoid damage to the roof as well as the environment. Our roof cleaning professionals always use eco-friendly cleaning products for removing all types of dirt from your roof effectively.

7. Prefer soft washing over pressure washing your roof.

Using pressure washing on your roof is the biggest roof cleaning mistake noticed by our ARD Cleaning Services pros. It may seem like it’s effective at removing the stubborn build-up. But it washes away the granules of your roof.

The high level of water pressure can harm the delicate structure of your roofing system, even causing internal damage. Low-pressure wash is the best roof cleaning method.

Our specialists in Indian Trail prefer soft washing with a controlled applicator with optimum pressure of 200 PSI or less. When low-pressure cleaning is combined with safe cleaning solutions, it can remove the toughest grime from your roof.

8. Don’t use splash and dash methods.

The method of roof cleaning is a major factor in deciding its effectiveness. Never opt for cleaners that are only sprinkled on the roof and do not need rinsing. However promising they are, keeping the solution for a longer period without rinsing can certainly do more harm than good.

In fact, ARMA suggests not keeping the solution applied to your roof any longer than 20 minutes.

9. Don’t scrub the roof surface.

The shingles and other roof elements can be delicate. Scrubbing them to remove the dirt can result in damaging your roof. Excessive friction can remove the granules, making the roof weaker and reducing its lifespan.

10. Only clean during the right weather.

The ideal weather to clean a roof is a cloudy day that has no chance of precipitation. This allows the detergents to remain on the surface until you clean instead of evaporating. And the light winds will help in the drying process.