The Easiest Way To Clean Your Roof Shingles
15th July 2021
Preparations Before Cleaning
The first and foremost thing you need to do is pick a day that is overcast and cool. The warm weather and sunlight are a no-no because they will dry up your chemical solution. You won’t be able to use it because it will dry up quickly. We advise you to pick a day that has very little wind to ensure that the sprayed solution remains on the roof.
Before you start, you can always try repairing the flashings and loose shingles to minimising the roof damage. After that, you can start cleaning out your downspouts and gutters. Here, you will require the cleaning chemical solution for draining off your roof while rinsing.
Now you need to protect the yard of your home. Proceed in moving out any furniture away from your workstation or area. You should always cover the yard, especially if you are utilising a bleach solution. Start rinsing down your plants and lawn before the deep cleansing process.
It helps the water to dilute the dangerous bleach. After that, you can cover them using plastic for catching any spray. Before you begin cleaning the stains, you need to get rid of the leaves, debris, and twigs. Then, you can use either a broom or a leaf blower for cleaning it.
Removing Algae & Moss
Now you need to mix your solution. You can either create your solution or buy one from the nearest hardware or home improvement store. You can create yours by using 3.8 litres of water and 0.95 litres of regular laundry bleach. To obtain additional cleaning power, you can insert ¼ cup of non-ammonia cleaners like Trisodium Phosphate or TSP.
Next, you need to start soaking the shingles using a water sprayer or a garden hose. You can start from the base and start wetting the shingles. It will prevent the solution from easily drying out instantly after the application. You can stop once you start seeing a runoff. Now you can start spraying your solution with a sprayer. Start evenly coating the shingles with slow strokes. To avoid having spots on your roof, you should never miss a spot.
For soaking the solution, leave it anywhere between 15 to 20 minutes. To dislodge the moss and algae, you can utilise a water sprayer and apply sufficient force. You can also use a garden hose for cleaning the light stains. Proceed with even strokes in a back-and-forth manner. It is best to avoid power washers as they can damage your shingles. Now you need to reapply your cleaning solution to get rid of the deeper stains, if any.
Prevent Growth of Algae & Moss
The debris like leaves, twigs, and dirt provide a moist environment for the algae and moss to grow. So, there is a need for regular Alderely Edge roof cleaning to avoid their growth. Try cleaning the gutter, too, while you are at it. The overhanging branches of the nearby trees provide shade to your roof. It enables the growth of these containments. So, you need to trim these branches.
Now you need to apply the stain blocker. Some special stain blockers provide resistance for three years. You can buy these moss and algae blockers from the home improvement store in the vicinity. After cleaning your roof, you should start spreading the stain blocker based on the directions present on the label.
Placing Metal Shingles
Now you need to place the metal strips right under the shingles. You can purchase zinc and copper strips from the nearest home improvement shop in your area. You can place it under the shingles. Whenever it rains, the water tends to wash away layers of the metal. In this way, it destroys the algae and moss spores. Plus, installation of these strips tends to puncture the shingles’ sealant. It is especially advisable to do this whenever you place a new roof.