Improper Roof Cleaning Can Cause Damage to Your Roof

Getting things done yourself is a rite of passage for many homeowners. Painting a new room or taking care of the lawn and yard can be rewarding while also helping you save money. However, there are certain tasks that should be left to the professionals, and roof washing is definitely one of them. 

Besides the obvious danger and possibility of suffering an injury, attempting to clean your own roof could lead to damage if you don’t know what you’re doing. Before you try to clean your roof, consider these reasons first so you don’t end up paying more to fix any damage you’ve caused.

How Improper Roof Cleaning Can Cause Damage to Your Roof

Inexperience can be dangerous in some situations and you don’t want to risk serious injury with roof cleaning. There are many important reasons why homeowners should leave this risky task to the pros.

Shingle Damage

Some people’s idea of cleaning their roof revolves around getting a pressure washer and blasting at their roof. However, without the right expertise and knowledge, you could cause damage to your roof.

Asphalt shingles, for example, have tiny granules that are meant to protect your roof from weather elements and UV rays. When your roof is new, your singles will have more of these granules and they wear off slowly over time. Pressure washing your roof, however, will speed up the process of wearing off. These granules will be worn off and your roof won’t be as protected from the elements.

To prevent damage and further expenses down the road, it’s best to leave roof cleaning to an expert who knows what they’re doing.

Wrong Equipment

Hauling the wrong equipment up onto your roof or simply using the wrong tools can damage your roof. You could easily break or crack a tile which would then lead to a roof leak. If you do end up with a roof leak, it needs to be fixed immediately or your roof’s water barrier could be affected.

Wrong Chemicals

Watching videos online could make you think that all you need is some bleach and a power washer. However, when misused, a power washer could cause severe damage to your shingles, while bleach can corrode gutters and metal flashings. If you intended to use bleach to target algae, know that bleach kills off the surface layer but not the underlying layer. This means that the algae can grow back quickly.

If you don’t have adequate expertise and knowledge about chemicals, leave it to the experts, or you could corrode your roof and cause more significant damage.

Improper Footwear

Many homeowners don’t realize that they can cause damage by walking on their roof. The wrong footwear or walking on a section of the roof that’s extremely hot can cause punctures to your roof. It’s also possible to accidentally rip out shingles if you aren’t careful. Professionals will know the correct footwear that won’t damage the roof yet still afford them safety. 

Adding Up Costs

Some homeowners may think that hiring professionals is a waste of money, but that is far from the truth. Doing it yourself means taking the time to learn the skills needed, purchasing supplies and equipment, and risking the fact that the roof may not be completely cleaned after all your effort.

If you happen to damage your roof during the process, that is additional costs incurred as well. It is not always about the immediate costs.

Conclusion

When it comes to cleaning your roof, just hard work and time won’t cut it. Expertise and knowledge are essential. 

All in all, getting your roof cleaning done right will mean fewer cleanings needed and less chance of roof damage caused by inexperience and cleaning mistakes. Trust the professionals and get your roof properly cleaned and sustained for the years to come.