Despite what many people think, roofs do need to be cleaned and maintained. This work is important because it can improve your home’s appearance and extend your roof’s lifespan significantly. Regular roof cleaning, as long as it’s done correctly, can save you a lot of time and money on repairs and replacements in the long term.

We’ll walk you through how to clean roof shingles, all the tools and techniques you’ll need and when to call a professional for assistance.

Why Cleaning Your Roof Is Important

Your home’s roof does a lot more than protect you from stormy weather. It also helps maintain consistent temperatures inside and the structural integrity of your home. While it usually doesn’t require frequent maintenance, regular roof cleaning can help prevent the buildup of algae, moss and debris that can reduce its lifespan and your home’s curb appeal.

Algae

Algae buildup is one of the most common problems your roof faces, especially if you are in an area with high humidity. If you’ve ever noticed black splotches on your roof, that is algae. It can retain moisture, which expands and contracts during freezes and thaws. That expansion and contraction can lead to the shingles eventually cracking. Additionally, algae feed on the organic materials of the granules, eventually reducing their ability to protect the shingles from UV rays and the elements.

Moss and Other Debris

Moss forms green patches on your roof. It can eventually peel your shingles back, making them vulnerable to damage from rain and wind. If these shingles are stripped away, you may have to deal with temperature regulation issues and even leaks.

Debris — such as tree branches, leaves and litter — can also damage your shingles and expose your home to similar issues.

Regular visual inspection and cleaning help protect your home from roof damage and reduce the frequency of repairs and replacements, saving you time, effort and money.

Roof Cleaning Basics

The actual cleaning process is a bit more complicated than it might seem, and it requires careful preparation to make sure you, your home and any garden installations below the roof are safe and secure. Before beginning, you should:

  • Acquire the proper roof cleaning tools: The specific tools you need will vary based on the scale and type of roofing or shingles you’re cleaning, but there are some tools you’ll need across the board. Start with a sturdy ladder, a sprayer connected to a hose, cleaning solution and a gentle brush. You don’t want to use a pressure washer as it will likely damage the roofing.
  • Check the weather: On sunny days, your cleaning solution may evaporate before it can finish its job. Wind and precipitation can also interfere with the cleaning process, so it’s best to clean the roof on a cloudy day with minimal wind and no rain.
  • Wear durable protective clothing: Since you’ll be working with a chemical solution in an elevated position, you need to take steps to protect yourself. Make sure you wear slip-resistant shoes that give you traction on your roof. You should also wear safety glasses and cover your hands, arms and legs to protect yourself from spills.
  • Protect nearby plants and furniture: If you have a garden or any plants beneath the edge of your roof, take a few minutes to spray them down with water and cover them with a plastic sheet before you begin cleaning. Once the cleaning is done, remove the plastic and wash the plants again to make sure they’re safe from the chemicals you used. Move any furniture below the roof elsewhere to protect it from the cleaning solution.
  • Mix or purchase your roof cleaning solution: Roof cleaning takes more than water and a scrub brush. You’ll need to purchase a specially tailored shingle roof cleaner or mix your own. Most people find success with a mixture of sodium hypochlorite and water. You can use more or less sodium hypochlorite to strengthen or weaken the mixture based on how tough the algae and moss on your roof are.

Now that you’ve completed your preparations, you can begin cleaning. As you do, keep the following in mind:

  • Clear debris first: Before you begin treating the moss and algae with chemicals, remove any tree branches or other debris from the roof. Just make sure the ground below is clear before you sweep or toss anything down.
  • Clean top to bottom: The roof should be cleaned starting at the top and working down. Spraying upward into the roof can force water under the shingles, potentially lifting them and causing damage to the underlayment.
  • Let the cleaning solution sit for 15 to 20 minutes: The solution isn’t meant to eradicate moss and algae on contact. It needs time to sink into the moss and algae and weaken their bond with the roof so that they can be removed. The first area you sprayed may be ready by the time you finish spraying the rest of the roof, depending on your roof’s size. You may need to spray particularly tough sections twice.
  • Wash down the roof with water: After you finish spraying the roof and removing the moss and algae, wash the roof with water to clear any remaining chemical residue off the roof.

What Is the Best Roof Cleaner for Shingles?

There is no single best roof cleaner for every situation. After all, the recommended intensity of the cleaning solution has more to do with how dirty the roof is than anything else. That said, there are shingle roof cleaners specifically designed to help you clear your roof of moss and algae, and these can be extremely helpful.

Homemade cleaning solutions can also be effective. Mixing sodium hypochlorite with water is the standard approach, and you can even increase the ratio of sodium hypochlorite to water if you need to root out deeply entrenched moss and algae.

Working with roofing professionals is another great option, as they can evaluate your roof and find the perfect solution for the job. They also have more experience working on roofs, which can save you a lot of hassle and potentially avoid disaster.

Consider Hiring Professional Roofers

Roof work can be dangerous, especially if you are working on roofs with steep angles or haven’t cleaned one before. Professional roofers can also work more efficiently and effectively, thanks to their experience and the tools they have access to.

Clean Your Roof With AmeriPro Roofing

Working on a roof is serious business, and our team of roofing experts knows that better than anyone because we’ve done it across more than a dozen states. We’ve also won a wide variety of awards for our work across the roofing industry. When it comes time to clean your roof, you can trust us to do the job efficiently and professionally.

To experience Standards Through The Roof® and learn more about what we can do for you, schedule a free residential roofing inspection today. You can also give us a call at 800-200-8151.