When it comes to cleaning the entire house, no stone must be left unturned. Even if you have the front yard raked and mowed, and the walls repainted – the overall look is affected if you have a dirty roof. When was the last time you had your roof cleaned? Aside from giving the roof a good clean every now and then, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the different factors that contribute to dirtying your roof in the first place. This way, you’ll have a better idea of what to avoid.

What Causes a Dirty Roof?

Here are some examples of things that can cause a dirty roof. 

Algae

A familiar sight to people who live in warm and humid areas is a roof growing with algae. Algal growth on a roof can look different, depending on the type of algae growing. 

While these microorganisms naturally come in an assortment of colors, algae growing on the roof typically looks like a dark mess. This is because algae growing on roofs produce darker colors to protect themselves from the constant ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun. Dead and decaying algae can also contribute to the dark stain that these microorganisms leave on people’s roofs. 

While cleaning algae off the roof may not be the most difficult job to do, there are certain factors to take note of. Common household items (e.g., bleach, hot water, soap, cleaning solutions, etc.) will do well in removing algal growth from roofs. Precaution must be taken as these items can also degrade the roof shingles, thereby reducing their lifespan. 

Moss

Unless you’re going for a rustic forest hut aesthetic, you probably don’t want your roof to have moss growing on it. Just like algae, moss is more prevalent in areas that are especially humid. This is because these organisms just love water. 

Once you have a moss problem, it is best to do something about it sooner than later. Moss growth can accumulate moisture and water on the roof that can eventually lead to water damage. If left alone for a long time, this water damage can also lead to structural damage which could make the home unsafe.

Just like with the algae problem, you can probably clean it up yourself. However, it is best to get it professionally done to get your roof clean while maintaining the health of your roof and its components. 

Leaves

Does your home have a tall tree growing next to it? If so, then you must be familiar with the fact that leaves can accumulate on your roof. Even if the tree isn’t directly beside your house, wind can still blow leaves from the tree and onto the roof. 

Leaves may seem pretty harmless, but they can become quite sinister if left untouched. As organic matter, leaves tend to hold on to water. Unless you have expensive shingles installed, chances are that your shingles are vulnerable to the excess moisture that these leaves bring with them. Once damaged, water can slowly seep into the house, silently causing water damage. 

Leaves are also problematic when they get stuck in the gutters. Gutters are meant to divert the water from the roof into somewhere water won’t be a problem. When leaves get stuck in the gutters, then the gutters just become like a river with a dam at the end. Instead of doing its job and routing water away, it does the exact opposite and begins to hold water. 

Fortunately, leaves are pretty easy to remove. If you don’t want to do it one leaf at a time with your very own hands, you can use a blower to get it done in no time at all. 

Conclusion

While there are different factors that can contribute to a dirty roof, they all have things in common: they are preventable and they are treatable. Moss and algae are both living organisms that can be controlled with the proper approach. Certain roofing material or paint are specifically sold to keep these pests controlled. Leaves are also not that big an issue if they are dealt with regularly enough. While cleaning the roof can be a rewarding chore, you can just leave it up to professional roof cleaners in Orlando to do the job right the first time.