The Definitive Guide To Remove Roof Stains

Do you know how much it costs to install a new roof? Installing a new roof involves thousands of dollars. The average cost to install a new roof would be around $5000 for an asphalt shingle roof and $25,000 for high-end roofs. Roof replacement can run as high as $12,000 depending on several factors like the pitch, area size, material costs and accessibility. The cost will also depend on your location. Areas located in the North East and West Coast charge more compared to the South Coast. You don’t have to spend this much if you care for your roof and maintain its cleanliness.

How Do You Keep Your Roofs Stain Free?

If algae, moss and lichens are not cleared off your roof they will eat away the shingles of your roof. To prevent this from happening all you need to do is to keep your roof clean by hiring a roof cleaning contractor. What constitutes a roof cleaning service? Let’s find out how roof cleaning contractors keep your roofs moss and algae-free.​

The following are 3 of the most common roof cleaning techniques offered today:

Non-Bleach, Low Pressure Roof Cleaning
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This particular type of roof cleaning technique uses products that are free of harmful chemicals. In other words, these cleaning products are good for the environment meaning they do not harm vegetation and they do not contaminate waterways. Examples of such products include phosphates and chlorine-bleach.

The cleaning process encompasses low-pressure rinsing. The advantage of this type of cleaning technique is that it gives you instant results. When you check your roof you will not find any trace of moss, lichens and algae. Roof cleaners who choose this type of cleaning technique will give your roof a totally safe clean without causing damage to your landscape due to its use of eco-friendly products and without damage to your roof since it utilizes low-pressure rinsing. The disadvantage is that this method is almost double the cost of regular chemical roof cleaning because the chemicals cost so much more.​

One important piece of advice we can give you when hiring a roof cleaning contractor is to make sure that the cleaning method they choose will completely remove all algae, lichens and moss from your roof once they are done with the job.

Chemical Roof Cleaning

Another cleaning method that has gained popularity is the use of chemicals to clean roofs.  What makes this cleaning method different from pressure clean is that in pressure clean they hit the surface with high-pressure water flow to get rid of dirt on the roof. Unfortunately, high pressure washing can do more harm than good because the force can be too much that it ends up breaking the tiles or shingles causing leaks. With a chemical clean the solution alone is strong enough to remove bacteria, algae, moss and stains from your reef. The unique blend of bleaching solutions will destroy the organisms that are compromising the integrity of your roof.​

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The advantage of a chemical roof cleaning is that it’s cheaper compared to the non-bleach method since the bleaching solution is relatively cheaper and it does an outstanding job. Just don't let the chemicals get on your lawn or plants because it will kill them. This is a preferred method to cost effectively clean a roof.

High-Pressure Power Washer Cleaning

There are also roof cleaning companies that still use the high-pressure power washing method to remove algae, moss and dirt. This method is highly discouraged as it causes damage to your shingles and it’s not as effective as the other two methods when it comes to removing stubborn roof stains, algae, moss and lichens. The problem with this technique is that it doesn’t completely remove the root systems so eventually algae will grow back. If your contractor uses this method you can actually ask to feel the pressure of the water in your hand so you’ll know if it’s too high. When the pressure is too high the process will destroy your roof. There’s basically nothing left to clean if the shingles are ruined.
 
Before you hire a contractor make sure you are clear about the roof cleaning technique they’ll use on your roof. The last thing you’d want is to come home to a ruined roof because you didn’t screen your contractor well. Understanding the different cleaning methods will help you decide which technique to use.

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  What Can Destroy Your Roof?
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The number one reason why homeowners are spending money on roof replacement is because of roof damage. Three of the most common culprits that damage your roof are algae, lichens and moss. These seemingly harmless organisms are in fact powerful enough to wreak havoc ultimately reducing the lifespan of one of the most costly components of your property – none other than your roof.
 
Algae
 
Do you notice black stains on your roof? These so called stains are actually clusters of algae known as Gloeocapsa Magma or Cyanobacteria. They make it to your roof via air and they settle there slowly destroying the limestone filler of your shingles. As they feed on limestone and continuously grow and multiply it will only be a matter of time before they completely envelop your roof. If you don’t get rid of them they will eventually destroy your roof leading to costly repairs or worse roof replacement.
 
Lichens
 
Lichens are organisms that come from algae Cyanobacteria. This type of slow growing plant will securely affix themselves to your roof. Snow, rain and wind will not be able to remove them once they have attached. When lichens are left on your roof they will forcefully remove the topmost layer of the shingle and the color coat of your roof.
 
Moss
 
Moss growth on your roof will not only lessen its curb appeal but it will also compromise its integrity. Your roof offers an ideal environment for algae and moss to grow because it’s humid and moist especially in the shaded areas. Furthermore, organic debris and leaves from trees provide nutrients for moss to thrive. Moss has the ability to absorb water. Over time, the water will destroy the shingles creating cracks and thereby causing leaks.
 
Why Is Roof Cleaning Important?
 
The presence of algae, moss and lichens on your roof will ruin the beauty of your home. Even if you spend thousands of dollars repainting your home’s exterior or pay an expensive landscaper to make your front lawn look pretty if your roof is heavily stained and covered in moss and algae all your efforts will be for nothing. The worst part is that a dirty roof will not only affect the look of your home it will also threaten the functionality of your roof. When your roof becomes irreparable you’ll need to pay a great deal of money to have it replaced.
 
Don’t wait for this to happen. The wisest thing you can do is to regularly inspect your roof for the presence of dirt, soil, dust, algae, moss and lichens. When your roof is already dirty you should clean it promptly so that it doesn’t create more costly damage.
 
Besides ruining a beautiful home, algae, moss and lichens can greatly lessen the lifespan of your roof by causing the shingles to break. What you can do is to hire professional roof cleaners to do a non-pressure chemical wash on your roof to clean it without causing any further damage. We’re putting emphasis on “non-pressure” because there are certain power washer systems that do more harm than good by creating more damage because of its high pressure.
 
Regular roof cleaning will also lessen your utility bills. According to studies, when moss and algae cover your roof they absorb heat. Trapped heat will warm your home by 25 degrees. The heat will reduce the lifespan of your shingles and cause your air conditioning system to work doubly hard to cool your home thereby increasing your power consumption.

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What Happens If You Leave Your Roof Dirty and Untreated?

Well, if you don’t clean your roof your home will look neglected and abandoned. Keep in mind that your roof is an integral part of your home so even if the rest of your house looks grand if your roof is ugly and is covered in unsightly algae and moss it will ruin the overall aesthetics of your home. Besides its physical appeal, a roof that’s covered in dirt will weaken overtime. The shingles could break or come loose and you’ll experience leaks. Repairs are costly and if the damage is so severe you’ll be left with no choice but to replace your roof and as stated earlier, replacing your roof will cost you thousands of dollars. Why risk that when you can do preventive maintenance at a fraction of the cost?
 
To ensure that your roof is protected we recommend you hire roof inspectors to regularly evaluate the condition of your roof. If problems are detected then at least it can be treated and cleaned right away rather than wait until the damage becomes so bad that the only option you have to a roof replacement. As early as now, find a reliable and trustworthy pressure washing company to tell you what needs to be done.
 

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