A Guide to Roof Cleaning Chesapeake, VA Properties
Do you think about your property’s roof very often? Chances are, the answer is no. It’s just easy to take a roof for granted despite the many ways it helps you in day-to-day life. It prevents you from being rained and snowed upon when you’re inside. It regulates the temperature of your property, too. However, roofs don’t do their job as well when they are smothered with debris, and this is exactly why roof cleaning Chesapeake, VA properties is so important.
In this blog, we’ll explain how the process of cleaning roofs works, as well as its benefits! We are Water Works Services, a locally owned and operated roof cleaning business, and we will be your guide on this journey. Let’s get started.
How Roofs Become Dirty
It’s unfortunate, but roofs are fated to become dirty over time. That’s because they are part of the outside world, and anything outdoors will accumulate debris. This doesn’t just include dirt. It also includes moss, mold, algae, pollen, dead insects, and bird droppings. As you can imagine, this will make your roof look much, much worse over time. Additionally, your roof will be at greater risk of becoming damaged. This is because debris will gradually wear down the structure over time.
Obviously, you want your roof to look its best and last as long as possible, too. So, what should you do? We highly recommend that you have your roof cleaned once per year. This prevents debris from accumulating excessively and allows you to avoid the worst of negative consequences.
Is It OK to Pressure Wash Roofs?
So, what is the optimal way to clean a roof? You might think that pressure washing is the answer, but you would be mistaken. In fact, if you were to pressure wash your roof, it is very likely that you would damage the structure. That’s because roofs are delicate, and if they aren’t treated as gently as possible, it’s a surefire way to wind up with repair bills.
To avoid this, we use the soft washing process. Soft washing is very similar to pressure washing; the difference is the amount of water pressure used. Pressure washing can use up to 3,500 PSI. Soft washing, on the other hand, does not exceed 350 PSI.
Preparing For Roof Cleaning
If they choose DIY roof cleaning, Chesapeake, VA property owners will need to plan ahead for a day of hard work. Cleaning a roof isn’t a quick and easy process; in fact, it can easily take hours, if not most of your sunlight hours! So, make sure you carve out enough time in your schedule. We recommend giving yourself five or six hours to complete the work. If you finish early, that’s great! It certainly beats not having enough time to finish the project.
For DIY roof cleaning, you will also need the correct equipment. If you don’t have the right tools for the job, you’ll be destined for failure. So, what do you have to buy? First and foremost, you’ll need a pressure washer. Additionally, you’ll need an attaching hose, nozzles, a ladder, cleaning solutions (such as sodium hypochlorite), and safety gear (i.e., eye protection, gloves, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes).
How Roof Cleaning Works
Now that you’ve made all the correct preparations, the process of roof cleaning can begin. Begin by climbing up your ladder and inspecting the surface. You’ll want to identify any pre-existing damage because spraying these areas with water could make the problem worse. Additionally, you’ll want to keep an eye out for any stubborn debris. This debris should be weakened with cleaning solutions ahead of time. We recommend using sodium hypochlorite. Simply apply a thin layer of this substance to the surface; then, wait a few minutes for it to weaken the debris. That way, it can be more easily removed.
Next, soft wash the roof until all debris is removed. Set your pressure washer within the range of 150 to 350 PSI. Then, wash the roof in a row-by-row formation, working methodically to restore the entire area. You’ll be able to easily keep track of what you’ve already cleaned because it will be visibly brighter and more beautiful!
Your Safety Comes First
When roof cleaning Chesapeake, VA properties, you need to remember that your safety comes first. Roof cleaning, by nature, involves going up to high places. You’ll be climbing up and down a ladder a lot, and with this comes a real safety risk. Use a ladder carelessly, and you will trip, fall, and injure yourself. Keep the rule of three points of contact in mind; between your two arms and two feet, three of them should be on the ladder at all times. If you want to take extra precautions, you can use a platform ladder and an attaching harness.
You also need to be mindful of where you are pointing the hose. During roof soft washing projects, you should only aim at the roof. Never point the hose at yourself because accidentally spraying yourself with pressurized water can cause injury.
Consider Professional Roof Cleaning
As you have learned, the process of roof cleaning is difficult. You need to use the correct equipment, exercise specialized techniques, and use a considerable amount of your time and energy. As a result, DIY roof cleaning might not be a good fit for you. Don’t want to put the effort in? Focus on what’s important to you and schedule an appointment with the professionals at Water Works Services.
We are proud to be our community’s roof cleaning experts, and it would be our pleasure to serve you next! With our roof cleaning, Chesapeake, VA property owners can simply sit back and relax while we do all the work. Not only will we leave your roof spotless, but we’ll also do the work for a reasonable price. Contact us online to schedule an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you.
