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A shingle roof is an investment you want to protect against damage and grievous wear . Not only is a cap expensive , but it ’s also essential to keep your dwelling safe and comfortable . realise how to clean roof shingles is an essential part of roof maintenance .
Brendan Anderson , the founding father ofBrix Systems Roofingin Kalispell , Montana , explains , “ Regular cleaning keeps moss and algae from get on your shingles prematurely and causing potential leak down the line . ”
Anderson also note that regularly cleaning a roof can heighten a home ’s kerb charm and protect your roof ’s warranty . However , if you do n’t know how to clean roof shingle decent , you could end up doing more harm than beneficial . While mineral pitch shingle are coarse and can be tackled with the DIY cleansing approach explained below , materials like metallic element , slate , or tile might need the professional touching of one of thebest cap cleanse servicesto check the right techniques are used .
Photo: istockphoto.com
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Project Overview
Working Time : 2 to 5 hoursTotal fourth dimension : 2 to 5 hoursSkill Level : IntermediateEstimated Cost : $ 20 to $ 150
Before You Begin
Check the weather forecast before you start cleaning your cap . Anderson says , “ Do n’t plan your ceiling - cleaning adventure if pelting ’s on the horizon within the next day . Opt for a ironical , cloudy day with balmy temps for the secure working condition . ”
Do n’t overlook safety , either , as you make to cleanse your roof . “ verify you ’re geared up withslip - tolerant boots , uncompromising oeuvre gloves , and if you ’re going up on the cap , a securely fasten harness , ” says Anderson .
STEP 1: Prepare and protect the area around the perimeter of your home.
As you strip your roof , debris and cleaning agents will be rinsed down onto the country fence the base . Before you start the cleansing process , overstretch any piece of furniture , children ’s toys , and other items away from the home to protect them from pose dirty or damaged . To foreclose chemical cleaners from harm plants and bushes , startle by thoroughly irrigate them and then cover them with a credit card tarp .
STEP 2: Remove any leaves and loose debris.
After the area around the home is prepared , you ’re ready to move on to cleaning the roof . “ Start by using the roof rake and foliage cetacean mammal to crystallize away all the gunk , ” says Anderson . Rake or blow off any loose debris , such as sticks , leaves , and tree seeds .
accord to Anderson , completing this step is important as it not only prevents your gutter from bewilder clogged but also lay the stage for a thoroughgoing shingle scouring .
After blowing or rake loose rubble off the roof , take some clock time toclean the guttersand downspouts — you do n’t want water to back up when you start rinsing the roof .
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STEP 3: Prepare the shingle cleaning solution.
Next , you need to prepare theroof - washing root . According to Anderson , “ a dilute bleach solution ( one part house bleach to three parts water ) is usually the go - to ” when clean mineral pitch shingles .
If you ’re looking to fend off using bleach or other rough chemicals , try a diluted mixture of white vinegar and water ( just remember tonever intermixture whitener and vinegartogether ) .
Anderson also advocate twice - match the shingle manufacturer ’s recommendations for approved cleaning solutions . total the prepared cleansing solution to apump sprayerso you ’ll be capable to easily apply it to the entire roof .
Photo: istockphoto.com
STEP 4: Evenly apply the cleaning solution to the entire roof.
Before you set forth applying the cleaning solution over the roof , Niki O’Brien , the trading operations manager ofCustom Exteriorsin Colorado , enjoin it ’s a good theme to prefer an invisible daub on your cap and test your cleaning agent and method to insure it is dependable to proceed . “ They make cleanup solution specifically plan for shingles . However , we always screen first . ” As long as the cleansing root does n’t discolour or otherwise damage your shingle , you ’re good to go .
Anderson recommends spritz the solution onto your shingle from the top down , make certain to get an even coating without drenching them . After evenly coating the herpes zoster , let the cleanup solution sit for 15 to 20 mo . “ This give it a chance to loose up any moss , alga , or grime clinging to your shingle , ” notes Anderson .
STEP 5: Rinse the shingles.
After about 20 min , rinse by the cleanup solution using a garden hose with standard water pressure or the pump sprayer fill up with manifest water . Do n’t bury to ensure that your toilet and downspouts are still clear after you ’ve finished rinsing grime and debris from your roof .
If you used a commercial roof shake clean , double - check the software package book of instructions before rinse it off . Some products are contrive to continue in position so that they can continue work to fight off algae and moss .
STEP 6: Address any stains, moss, or algae that remain.
In some cases , you may need to clean roof shingles by hired hand toremove mossor alga that is still present after the initial cleaning . To address these patches , Anderson say to “ damp out the piano - spiny brush and gently scrub them away after gargle . ” He adds , “ Take it easy , though — you do n’t want to go overboard and damage your shingles . ”
STEP 7: Rinse the roof again.
Give the roof a last rinse to remove any rest shingle clean leave behind from direct the spell of moss and algae . fetch up up by withdraw the charge plate tarpaulin covering the plant around the place and give them a good soaking with the hose to rinse aside any traces of the cleaner you used .
Final Thoughts
Understanding right cap - washing procedures is primal to observe your shingle . O’Brien observe the importance of practise carefulness as you forge . She explains that peculiar granules coat the top layer of asphalt shingles . “ This layer provide protective covering from severe weather ; however , it also cast fairly well . So to avoid damaging them , be gentle . avert thing like high-pitched H2O pressure , coarse chemicals , or strong-growing scrubbing . You will damage your roof , and roof are not flashy replacements . ”
FAQs
As a general normal , lavation ceiling shingles is a task that should be completed about once every 1 to 3 years .
Bleach may potentially damage your cap shingles , especially if left undiluted . “ If you ’re going with bleach , dilute it in your pump sprayer according to the instructions , ” recommends Anderson .
No , it is not advisable to pressure - wash roof shingle . The high water pressure can remove the protective coating , cause the granules on mineral pitch shingles to come off and permit piss to get beneath the shingles and into the menage . If you’vepainted your roof shingles , pressure - washing could also strip off the color .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Thecost to hire a professional roof - cleaning servicevaries based on where you live and the size of it of your ceiling . As a ecumenical pattern , you should wait to spend between $ 0.20 and $ 0.70 per square foot of shingle . For a 1,000 - straight - foot roof , the toll should be somewhere between $ 200 and $ 750 , and for a 2,500 - square - foot roof , you may wait to spend between $ 600 and $ 2,100 for professional cleaning services .
The honorable cap - cleaning solution is often plain water supply . “ When we are tasked with cleaning a roof , we start with received water atmospheric pressure from a hosiery with no cleaning agent . That typically does the deception , ” says O’Brien . If plain water system is n’t sufficient , you may judge a solution of one part acetum to three function water or a commercial cleaning production .
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