Mold, algae, and other organisms can quickly infest roof tiles, leaving ugly stains and causing costly damage. A trained professional should be hired to clean a roof because it poses a risk and should be done about every two years. However, this article will cover everything you need to know about how to clean your roof tiles if you are determined to complete the task on your own and confident in your safety.
Get The Right Safety Equipment
Our bones are best left unbroken, and when you clean your roof, you’ll want to follow this universal rule. You will need the appropriate tools to accomplish this, including:
A sturdy ladder for getting up to the roof A safety harness that attaches to a secured anchor point on the roof It is best not to skimp on equipment for the sake of your safety. Non-slip shoes that have good traction so that you can tread safely while cleaning
You’ll find that you have to constantly retrieve equipment from the ground as the job progresses, which takes up additional time and effort. If you have a partner who can get you the equipment you need when you need it, you’ll save a lot of time. They will also have a better view of the roof and be able to direct your cleaning efforts.
Check The Roof Thoroughly For Any Flaws
Using a pressure washer, which produces a lot of water that could leak into your home, is one of the best ways to clean a roof. Check the roof thoroughly for cracked or broken tiles, damaged roof flashings, cracked window edges or siding, broken caulk, cracked sarking, and whether the roof ridge is properly intact before starting the washer. Water can enter your property if every roof fixture is not inspected. This can result in mold, stains, unpleasant odors, and a tempting dinner invitation for termites.
Use A Pressure Washer
Even though you can manually clean each tile with a rag, using a pressure washer will save you a lot of time because it produces a high-pressure jet of water that will clean your roof tiles.
The pressure washer will only require water; no roof tile cleaning products or chemicals are required for this step. To find the best pressure, you’ll need to play around with the washer’s settings. You want just enough pressure so you can see the tiles being cleaned without breaking them or causing leaks, which can happen even if the roof isn’t damaged. In the end, a skilled roof cleaner will know how much pressure to apply.
To avoid slipping, place your feet on the more solid area between each tile when you walk across the roof. Don’t expect a good grip from the large moss or plant life patches.
Start cleaning at the top left corner, work your way down to the bottom in a thin strip, and then do it again until you’ve covered the entire roof to make sure you always stand on a dry patch. Assuming there’s difficult greenery or different plants that the tension washer is neglecting to eliminate, you’ll have to utilize an enemy of greenery treatment to dispose of them (erring on this in the following area).
If you don’t have a pressure washer, you can rent one from a company like Kennards or buy one for between $100 and $500.
Apply An Anti-Moss Spray
An anti-moss treatment—also known as a fungicide—will assist in persuading the stubborn plant life that wants nothing more than to remain attached to your roof. After the treatment is added to your pressure washer, it is sprayed across the roof in the same safe way as before. Before you start, make sure the roof is completely dry. For this step, you might also want to wear rubber gloves to keep the chemicals from getting on your skin.
If you have a water tank, you’ll need to briefly redirect the line to keep it from becoming disinfected. In a similar vein, to safeguard your prized plant life, you should redirect any guttering pipes that flow into green areas of your garden.
After applying the anti-moss spray to the entire roof, allow it to soak in for a few minutes before washing it off with clean water. You should observe that previously inflexible plant life has softened and is now less difficult to remove.
Your roof tiles need to be cleaned regularly to keep them looking good and to extend their lifespan. If you think doing the job yourself would be hard and risky, there are roof cleaning professionals who have the right tools and knowledge for the job. Proficient rooftop cleaners charge anyplace between $38 to $80 p/hr, contingent upon the material of your rooftop, the intricacy of the gig, and the area. While you can undoubtedly complete the task on your own, you will need to take every safety precaution.
