 CLEANING THE ROOF IS ESSENTIAL Professional Cleaning of the Roof by Roof Cleaning Experts Cleaning the roof is an important but often-overlooked part of home upkeep. Having dirty siding or peeling paint on your home becomes an obvious sign that it's time for maintenance, but your roof is more out of sight, so you may forget about it. While it may not occur to the average homeowner, neglecting to clean and maintain your home's roof can limit its lifespan by as much as 20 years. Some of this was discussed in a previous blog post where we discussed our suggestions for roof cleaning in the Spokane, WA. THE SOILING OF THE ROOF
Roofs are subjected to the elements 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It will become covered with dirt and debris over time. Most dirt can be washed away with a little bit of rain. However, your roof's dark stains and green patches are the result of other natural factors:
Roof cleaning services are needed to remove these more difficult impurities. ALGAE It's possible that you've noticed some dark streaks on your roof recently. Algae is the source of these stains. In damp, chilly, and shady sections of the roof, algae feeds on both asphalt and limestone roofing. GM takes on a blue-green hue under low light. Algae are more likely to be found in the shaded regions of the roof, where they can serve as a breeding ground for a variety of molds. Thus, it makes sense that some roof stains appear to be confined to a single side of the roofing material. In areas with single-family homes, townhomes, and apartment complexes, algal spores can quickly travel from rooftop to rooftop thanks to wind or animals carrying them. LICHENS Algae and fungi coexist in lichens for the most part. Lichens are a type of fungus that thrives in environments where algae are abundant. Branched root-like tentacles of these plant-like organisms extend deep into the shingle's base, where they feed on the shingle's nutrients. Roof lichens are difficult to eradicate and might return in damp or wet environments. MOSS Moss, in contrast to algae and lichens, is a living organism. For moss to thrive, it needs lots of moisture and a little root system. Less-sunlit areas are more likely to be moist. Branches that droop low enough to give shade and debris for moss are a win-win for the environment. Moss spores, like algae, are easily dispersed by wind or animals and can quickly take over entire communities. I'm baffled as to how this could harm my roof. Algae, fungi, and moss damage your roof by causing degradation of the shingles and wood rot. In either case, you'll have to spend a lot of money on repairs and you'll risk damaging your roof. You can minimize or even reverse the damage by having your roof cleaned. SHINGLE CRACKER HARM Algae is a bacterium that feeds on asphalt and limestone, as previously stated. This implies that these microorganisms are really eating away at your shingles, as the name implies. Algae-stained roofs can absorb heat. Consequently, the attic is extremely hot, which might limit the shingles' lifespan because they are practically being baked from within. The presence of lichen colonies on shingles might be disastrous. Eventually, the shingles will be completely destroyed by the invading tentacles. Roof shingles suffer considerably more damage when they are covered in moss. The presence of moss on a roof can cause the shingles' edges to lift or curl, which is a telltale sign that it's time to replace them. Additionally, moss can freeze in the winter because to how well it holds moisture, further compromising the shingle's integrity. THE WOOD HAS ROTIFIED When moss grows on your roof deck, it traps moisture and diverts it, increasing the risk of rot and leaks. It thrives in the gaps between tiles, where water dries out the most on a roof. It's easy to see if there's moss growing on your roof. However, the average homeowner may be unable to detect the early signs of wood rot. In addition to causing mold growth, wood rot reduces the lifespan of your roof and poses a health risk to both homeowners and their pets. CAR WASHING DONE BY A PROFESSIONAL Cleaning your roof not only keeps it looking great, but it also preserves your investment because it increases the lifespan of your roof. While doing your own roof cleaning may be appealing, hiring a professional roof cleaning business is highly suggested. Unlike regular high-pressure washers, the technology used by these experts does not harm the shingles. Reputable roof cleaning services will also utilize a biodegradable cleaning solution in their cleaning process. A water-bleach solution is commonly used for do-it-yourself roof cleaning. The only benefit of this is that it kills algae on the roof, but it's also bad for the environment and for plants. Call us at (509) 822-3707 |
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