Should I Pressure Clean My Roof?

Written by Posted On Monday, 26 February 2018 08:29

If you are a homeowner you will likely find yourself eventually considering having your roof cleaned. In temperate climates moss and lichens can quickly build up on your roof and look untidy.

This may particularly concern you if you are trying to sell your home.  Not only does it look untidy but you may also question if this organic material might cause problems such as leaks or reduce the overall longevity of the roof itself.

This article will address the most frequent questions we encounter at London Roofing Group on this topic.

Firstly, roof moss and lichen poses no threat to the integrity or longevity of a roof that is structurally sound with the possible exception of homes in places such as Oregon and Washington states where they have particularly strong-rooting species of moss.  So, cleaning your roof is, in most cases, not a necessity but simply a matter of.

Secondly, it is important to understand that there is no easy yes/no answer to this question.  There are many types of roof and contractors vary greatly in their methods, qualifications and experience.

It is worth noting that most roofing manufacturers write into their warranties that vigorous types of cleaning must not be done otherwise the warranty would be invalidated.  Is it, however, just a typical business practice to minimise their risk and cover themselves against the actions of reckless contractors.  Most all types of roofing material used in the USA and UK can be safely pressure cleaned if done in the right way by the right contractor.

Before commencing any roof pressure cleaning job a contractor should carry out a thorough examination of the roof to check for broken tiles, gaps, lose pointing and flashings.  They would ideally check both externally and internally from your loft space.  Only with this level of diligence can a decision be made as to whether your roof is suitable for a pressure clean.  Repairs may need to be done first and owners of older roofs with flaky tiles should be encouraged to wait until the roof needs to be replaced or else to consider some other form of cleaning such as chemical treatment.  Certain types of interlocking roof tiles are not supposed to be stood on so this is also a factor to consider.

Professional jet cleaning companies usually have petrol or diesel driven pressure washers that are capable of far higher pressures than a typical electric machine like a Kärcher. You can see a typical example of this type of pressure cleaning equipment on the website of Genie Clean.

These machines on their highest setting would be too rough on a roof but come with full pressure and water flow rate control so the contractor can choose exactly the right pressure.  An experienced contractor will begin on a low setting and raise it up to the level that is as low as possible while still remaining effective.

The technique used to should focus on keeping a good 8 inch distance from the nozzle to the roof surface while using jet nozzles with 35 degree angle or greater and avoid turbo nozzles as they may be too strong.  Spraying upward is to be minimised though may sometimes be necessary especially on edges.

Removal of moss from a roof in this way can be a very messy business so covering up nearby areas with plastic sheeting may be a necessary precaution.  Your contractor should include in their quote a full clean-up operation including gutter clearance, disposal of all dislodged materials and pressure cleaning nearby patio and driveway areas.

We reached out to professional roofing company Roofing Beaconsfield for the following steps to follow to ensure you achieve a good result in your search for a suitable contractor:

  1. 1. Select reputable, qualified, professional tradesmen
  2. 2. Question the way they would carry out such work to ensure it conforms to the advice in this article
  3. 3. Request confirmation of their Public Liability Insurance
  4. 4. Have your roof fully checked and qualified to ensure it is suitable to be pressure cleaned before commencing any work
  5. 5. Agree a full clean-up job will be carried out
Rate this item
(0 votes)
Matt Lee

Matt Lee is an SEO and content marketing specialist serving building material manufacturers. He’s the founder of digital marketing agency, Lead Generation Experts, and Local SEO Course, Rise Up Local, that teaches business owners how to rank higher and get more leads through search engines.

Agent Resource

Limited time offer - 50% off - click here

Realty Times

From buying and selling advice for consumers to money-making tips for Agents, our content, updated daily, has made Realty Times® a must-read, and see, for anyone involved in Real Estate.