All rooftops should be cleaned from time to time. Regular cleaning can help keep your roof in great shape for much longer and will keep your property beautiful. But did you know that some roof cleaning methods can be damaging to certain types of rooftops?
While you are booking your next cleaning job, you should be very careful to select a cleaning method that won’t damage your roof materials or structure in some way. Let’s take a quick look at the best cleaning methods for different rooftop types.
Clay Tile Rooftops
Clay rooftops can easily crack or break underneath physical pressure like the weight of your body. Even though the roof tiles can be cracked by weight, they are resilient enough to handle pressurised water. The best way to clean clay tile rooftops is with the help of a pressure washer. In most cases, clean water should be enough to deep clean the roof. If you want to also kill algae or moss then you can include an algaecide or chemical cleaner in the tank. Contacting roof cleaners in Melbourne will help you get the best results.
Concrete Tile Rooftops
Concrete roof tiles are good with pressure cleaning as long as the job is handled by professionals.
Membrane Rooftops
This includes neoprene (polychloroprene), EPDM (Ethylene propylene diene monomer), PVC (Polyvinyl chloride), Chlorinated polyethylene and chlrosulfonated polyethylene sheets, and polymer-modified bitumen rooftops.
Metal Rooftops
Metal shingles and metal sheet rooftops can usually handle the intense stream from pressure washers but it is best to set the washer on a low-intensity level so the powerful steam of water won’t damage the paint coating on top of the metal. Most people do, however, prefer to clean these rooftops with just soap and water. Not too many contaminants will cling to the smooth surface of these roof types and they are usually pretty easy to clean with just a little bit of scrubbing.
Wood Rooftops
Most wooden rooftops shouldn’t be pressure washed because the force can loosen up the tiles or damage the wood. It is best to wash your rooftop with some water and a light bleach solution. Avoid harsh chemicals so your materials won’t be damaged.
Slate Rooftops
Slate tiles can also be damaged by intense water pressure levels. Many people do wash these roofs with pressure washers but they are usually set at low-intensity levels and carefully handled so they won’t cause damage. Slate rooftops are also often treated with chemical cleaners like bleach to get rid of moss or algae growth.
Asphalt Shingle Rooftops
Asphalt shingle rooftops are prone to develop dark spots in shaded parts of the roof. These spots are usually caused by algae. The best way to clean asphalt rooftops is with a cleaning solution that includes bleach. These rooftops should never be cleaned with a pressure washer. Even low-pressure settings can rip the shingles off your roof and cause leaks.
It is best to just hose down the roof and you can use a scrubbing tool and some cleaning products in problematic areas.
If you are not sure about what cleaning method to get for your own roof or if you want to get your roof deep cleaned without any risk of damage then you should give Singh Roofing a call. Our roofing specialists know exactly how to properly care for any roof type and will ensure that your roof gets nothing but the best possible care.
