Cedar shingles cleaning

How to Clean Your Roof – Do’s and Don’ts

If you see black streaks down your roof shingles, these are normally a build up of algae colonies that feed on moisture and the limestone filler agents in the shingles. Algicide can usually keep the growth under control for about 10 years, but this will eventually wear off due to weathering. Once the algicide wears off, algae will soon attach itself to your roof shingles. They eat away at the limestone, dig into the asphalt and dislodge the light-reflecting granules. So, if you see these black, mouldy-looking build up’s along your roof shingles – its time to give your roof a clean!

Although all roofs are different and all roof materials need different cleaning

techniques, here is how we would recommend you clean roof shingles:

* Take a bucket of hot water

* Mix in bleach/sodium hydroxide based cleaning product, and detergent until the soap granules dissolve

* Pour into a garden sprayer and use the sprayer on a gentle setting to clean the shingles

Tip 1: Clean your roof shingles on a cool or overcast day so that the cleaner doesn’t dry too fast onto the roof. If it has been sunny or warm, first gently spray your roof with clean water to cool it down.

Tip 2: Bleach can be corrosive on your roof’s surface, so be careful with how much you use. You don’t want to damage your metal roof flashings, gutters and downspouts. Sodium hydroxide based products sometimes clean further into the deeper set algae and are kinder to other vegetation. However, they’re also very corrosive and require you to wear a full protective gear – so bleach is an easier product to use.

Tip 3: Remember that there will be some overspray, so be conscious as to the direction of the wind, and whether it is likely to carry chemicals over to neighbors gardens or onto your own grass. We recommend that you give your lawn a mow, and if you have vegetation surrounding your house try to cover it.

If you have any other questions about how to clean your roof, or any roofing questions, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us here at SS Roofing in Devon, where one of our top roofing experts can give you quality advice.