The average roof can accumulate up to 2 kilos of dirt per square foot. As homeowners, we often overlook the importance of roof maintenance. From pressure washing to manual cleaning and chemical treatments, their pros and cons, we discuss in detail right down below.
Pressure washing a roof involves using high-pressure water jets to remove dirt, debris, stains, and organic growths from the roof’s surface. The pressure washer has a nozzle that emits a concentrated stream of water at high velocity. It will efficiently dislodge and wash away contaminants from the roof’s surface.
During the pressure washing process, water is pumped through a hose attached to the pressure washer. An operator will direct the high-pressure stream onto the roof’s surface. The force of the water jet breaks down and removes dirt, moss, algae, lichen, and organic matter.
Pressure washing is highly effective at cleaning vast roof areas and it’s popular for removing difficult stains and heavy soilage. To avoid damage to the roofing materials, it’s crucial to use the correct pressure settings and techniques. Improper settings cause erosion, cracking, and dislodging of tiles and shingles.
Professional roof cleaners know how to safely and efficiently use the pressure washer. They adjust the pressure settings and use the adequate techniques to clean without damaging the roof. Professionals may turn to eco-friendly cleaning solutions to improve the efficiency of cleaning without harming the environment.
Pressure washing is highly efficient at removing difficult stains, dirt, debris, and organic growths from the roof. The high-pressure water jet goes deep and dislodges difficult contaminants. The roof will be clean and look better than ever before.
With pressure cleaning, large roof areas can be quickly cleaned. The powerful water stream covers wide surface areas in a short amount of time. Pressure washing is a time-saving method.
Pressure washing is adequate for various kinds of roofing materials, such as: asphalt shingles, tiles, metal roofing, etc. Professionals adjust pressure washing to various roof slopes, textures, and configurations. It’s a versatile cleaning method with excellent results for many roof structures.
Regular pressure washing prevents buildup of dirt, debris, and organic growths on the roof. It prevents roof degradation, expands its durability, and reduces the need for repairs and replacements.
Pressure washing may significantly change for the better the roof’s appearance. It removes unsightly streaks, stains, and discoloration from algae, dirt, moss, and lichen. A clean roof improves the curb appeal of the property and its perceived value.
Pressure washing can be used with eco-friendly cleaning solutions to improve the cleaning results and reduce environmental impact. The eco-friendly cleaners break down organic matter and don’t harm the ecosystem.
Even if not major, the cons of pressure washing need mentioning to present an accurate picture of pressure washing for roofs. Here are the most important downsides of roof pressure washing:
When incorrectly performed, pressure washing can damage the roofing materials. Excessive water pressure or incorrect techniques may cause cracking, erosion, and dislodging of tiles, shingles, and roofing components. Water infiltration and structural damage may occur.
Pressure washing can make water reach under shingles or tiles, especially when roofing materials are old and damaged. Water will penetrate the roof structure and building’s interior and cause leaks, moisture damage and mould growth.
Pressure washing is performed at heights so there is a risk to personal safety for property owners and contractors. Falls, slips, and injuries from equipment may happen. Professionals follow strict safety protocols such as fall protection gear and securing ladders. During pressure washing, the surfaces become wet or slippery and increase the risk of accidents.
Wastewater from pressure washing contains dirt, debris, and contaminants that may harm the environment. Runoff from pressure washing may pollute soil, waterways, and aquatic habitats. It can also affect plants, animals, and ecosystems.
Professionals employ correct containment, filtration and disposal of wastewater to reduce environmental impact of pressure washing.
Even if pressure washing is efficient at removing dirt, debris, and organic growths from the roof’s surface, it’s not efficient at removing some contaminants. For example, pressure washing cannot remove algae spores from roofing materials. Additional treatments and followup cleaning are necessary as well.
Professional pressure washing services can be expensive, especially for complex roof structures and large roof areas. The costs may increase if pressure washing causes roof damage and leads to repairs or replacements.
Soft washing is gentler than pressure washing as it uses low-pressure water along with specialized cleaning solutions to remove dirt, stains, algae, moss, and other contaminants. Soft washing is based on the chemical action of cleaning solutions and a gentle rinsing afterwards.
During the soft washing procedure, the technicians use a low-pressure sprayer or pump system to apply on the roof a mixture of water and biodegradable cleaning agents (detergents, surfactants, and mildewcides). The cleaning solution will dwell on the roof for some time (10-15 minutes).
After the cleaning solutions has penetrated and loosened dirt, algae, moss, and organic growths, the cleaners rinse the roof with low-pressure water. They will wash away the loosened contaminants, residues, and cleaning solution. The rinse doesn’t damage the roofing materials and removes debris.
Soft washing is suitable for delicate roofing materials such as: clay tiles, asphalt shingles, and wood shakes. It’s a safe and efficient solution for roofs with fragile or aging surfaces. It has a low risk of cracking, erosion, and dislodging of roofing components.
The list of pros for roof soft washing includes and doesn’t resume to:
Soft washing uses low-pressure water and specialized cleaning solutions to gently remove stains, dirt, algae, moss, and contaminants from the roof surface. The gentle cleaning protects delicate roofing materials and reduces the risk of cracking, erosion, and dislodging roof components.
Aging or fragile surfaces such as wood shakes, asphalt shingles or clay tiles can benefit from soft washing. The low-pressure water delivery and eco-friendly cleaning solutions reduce the risk of damaging the roofing materials.
Soft washing efficiently addresses and removes organic growths such as algae, moss, and lichen. The specially formulated cleaning solutions go deep, dissolve the root systems of the growths and ensure effective removal. The method also prevents regrowth.
Soft washing prevents streaking, discoloration, and alteration of the finishes and landscaping. The cleaning results are uniform thanks to controlled application of the cleaning solutions and the gentle rinsing.
Biodegradable cleaning agents and eco-friendly solutions are used with soft washing. They have low environmental impact and don’t harm the nearby vegetation, water bodies, and eco-systems. Soft washing is safe and sustainable and aligns with environmentally conscious procedures.
Soft washing offers long-lasting cleaning results as it removes contaminants and organic growths from the roof’s surface. With adequate maintenance and regular treatments, soft washing prevents recurrence of algae, moss, stains, and lichens.
Plants, vegetation and landscaping near the roof won’t suffer from soft washing. The risk for the biodegradable cleaning solutions and the low-pressure water delivery to damage plants is minor. The landscaping will stay unharmed throughout the entire soft washing procedure.
Soft washing takes more time and effort than pressure washing, especially in case of heavily soiled and difficult stains. The dwell time for cleaning solutions and the gentle rinsing process take a lot of time. The labor costs and inconvenience for property owners increase significantly.
Even if soft washing efficiently removes dirt, algae, moss, and lichen from the roof surface, it has limited efficiency on heavily soiled or deeply embedded stains. For difficult stains, additional treatments and follow-up cleaning may be necessary.
Some cleaning solutions may leave residual odours or chemical smells after the cleaning. Most cleaning agents are odour less or have minor scent. However, some people will notice a bothersome residual odour from soft washing.
Soft washing is based on the chemical action of cleaning solutions. Improper application or rinsing of cleaning solutions can lead to incomplete cleaning or residues. This can alter the appearance of the roof and affect the efficiency of the cleaning process.
Biodegradable cleaning agents and eco-friendly solutions are used with soft washing. However, there are concerns with regard of environmental impact of chemicals. Incorrect disposal or runoff of cleaning solutions may contaminate soil, waterways, and aquatic habitats, harm plants, animals, and ecosystems.
Professional soft washing can be expensive for large roof areas or complex roof structures. The specialized cleaning solutions, equipment, and the additional labour increase the costs, especially when compared to other cleaning methods.
Manual cleaning refers to using hand tools, brushes, and scrubbing implements to physically remove dirt, debris, and stains. Unlike soft and pressure washing that rely on water delivery, manual cleaning entails direct physical contact and mechanical agitation to dislodge and remove contaminants from roof.
Manual cleaning is done in several ways:
Hand scrubbing means manually scrubbing the roof with brushes, scrubbing pads, and abrasive sponges to remove dirt, stains, moss, algae, and various contaminants. It employs physical effort and attention to detail for thorough cleaning.
Stiff-bristled brushes and brooms are used for brushing away debris, leaves, and loose contaminants from the roof’s surface. Brushes with long handles or extension poles can be used to reach areas with difficult access or steep roof slopes. Brushing removes surface debris and prevents buildup of organic matter.
The cleaners use putty knives, scrapers, or wire brushes to scrape away difficult stains, moss, algae, or lichen. Scraping gives results with thick or crusty deposits that brushing and scrubbing alone cannot remove.
Manual picking means manually remove debris, twigs, leaves, and foreign objects from the roof’s surface. It takes a lot of time and energy, but it allows precise removal of individual items. It also helps with inspection of the roof and detection of signs of damage.
Note!
Manual cleaning methods are typically used together with other roof maintenance practices, such as gutter cleaning, roof inspection, and minor repairs. They are suitable for delicate roofing materials that don’t withstand pressure washing or harsh cleaning chemicals. It can be adjusted to the particular needs of the roof and surrounding environment.
Manual cleaning methods represent gentle cleaning action that reduces the risk of damage to roofing materials. The roof’s structure remains intact after cleaning.
Manual cleaning allows precise control and the operator can focus on specific areas or stains for thorough removal of contaminants.
Manual cleaning methods are safe for delicate and sensitive roofing materials that pressure water jets and harsh chemicals would damage.
Manual cleaning methods don’t require the use of water or cleaning solutions. They are environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Manual cleaning methods are labour intensive and require a lot of physical effort. Additionally, scrubbing, brushing, or scraping the roof’s surface takes time, especially for large roof areas or roofs with complex structures.
Manual cleaning methods can take longer to complete than pressure and soft washing. Scrubbing, brushing, and scraping every area of the roof surface can take a lot of time.
Manual cleaning methods have rather limited coverage compared to pressure and soft washing. Manually clean a roof is complicated for difficult-to-access areas and steep roof slopes. Some areas may be skipped or incomplete.
Even if it’s rather gentle, manual cleaning techniques still pose a risk of damage to delicate roofing materials. Aggressive scrubbing and abrasive tools may cause scratching, abrasion, and dislodging of shingles, tiles, and other roof components.
Manual cleaning methods aren’t highly efficient for removing difficult stains, moss, algae or lichen from the roof’s surface. Some contaminants will require supplemental treatments or more intensive cleaning methods to obtain good results.
Manual cleaning methods are challenging on roofs with inaccessible structures, such as several levels, steep pitches, and obstacles (skylights, chimneys). Such areas will require specialized equipment and elaborate safety measures. The complexity and costs will significantly increase.
Manual cleaning methods involve working at heights, which always is risky. Falls, slips, and injuries from handling the tools may take place. Professionals will use fall protection gear or securing ladders. The surfaces may get slippery or wet and increase the risk of accidents.
Chemical treatments for roof refer to application of specially formulated solutions and treatments on the roof. They eliminate algae, moss, lichen, and other organic growths. The treatments are typically biocides, algae inhibitors, and antimicrobial agents that aim and stop the growth of microorganisms on the roof.
Several chemical treatments are used for roof maintenance:
Biocides are chemical substances that are formulated to kill or inhibit the growth of living organisms, algae, moss, lichen, fungi, and bacteria. Biocides disrupt cellular processes and metabolic functions within the microorganisms. Therefore, the microorganisms will die or stop growing.
Professionals apply biocides on the roof’s surface as a spray or solution and allow it to dry. The active ingredients will penetrate and work against the contaminants in time.
Algae inhibitors are chemical compounds made to prevent the growth of algae on the roof’s surface by creating a hostile environment that blocks algae colonization and proliferation. Copper and zinc compounds, and various proprietary formulas will produce trace amounts of metal ions in time.
The metal ions are toxic to algae and block their growth. Algae inhibitors take forms of coatings, shingles, or granules embedded in roofing materials. They offer protection against algae infestation for a long time.
Antimicrobial agents are chemical substances that aim and block the growth of many microorganisms, such as fungi, algae, and mould. Quaternary ammonium compounds, silver nanoparticles, or other antimicrobial formulations are agents that disrupt microbial cell membranes, enzymes, or dna replication processes.
Quite often, the antimicrobial treatments are included into roofing materials. They can also be applied as surface coatings to offer ongoing protection against microbial growth.
Chemical treatments offer long-term protection against algae, moss, lichen, and other organic growths. They block their growth and prevent colonization on the roof surface. Regular application of chemical treatments keeps the roof nice and clean and lowers the frequency of cleaning.
Chemical treatments work as preventive measures that protect the roof’s surface from microbial infestation. They create a hostile environment for algae, moss, and various contaminants.
Some chemical treatments are environmentally friendly and have low impact on the environment. They don’t harm the nearby vegetation, water bodies, and ecosystems. Algae inhibitors and biodegradable biocides protect against microbial growth and align with environmentally conscious practices at the same time.
Chemical treatments are compatible cu many types of roofing materials, such as: tiles, asphalt shingles, metal roofing, and more. They work on new and current roofs to offer long-lasting protection against microbial infestation and maintain the cleanliness and appearance of the roof.
Some chemical treatments pose environmental risk when not used or disposed of correctly. Biocides, algae inhibitors, and antimicrobial agents may include toxic substances. The toxic substances seep into the soil, waterways, and surrounding ecosystems and pose risks to animals, plants, and aquatic habitats.
Incorrect application or runoff of chemical treatments can pollute and degrade the environment.
Chemical treatments pose health risks to people exposed to the treated roof or fumes from the application. Skin contact or inhalation of chemical solutions and residues may cause allergic reactions, irritation, and respiratory problems in some people.
The professionals wear protective gear and follow strict safety protocols to reduce health risks when applying chemical treatments.
Chemical treatments have limited efficiency on existing algae, moss, lichen, and organic growth, especially when compared to pressure washing or manual scrubbing. Chemical treatments don’t completely eradicate current contaminants. Additional cleaning will be needed.
The costs for chemical treatments can be high, especially for large roofs or roofs with complex structures.
Chemical treatments don’t offer permanent protection against algae, moss, lichen, and various contaminants. To maintain efficiency, chemical treatments require regular re-application. Weather conditions, exposure to sunlight, and roof material composition influence the durability.
When the consistent treatment cannot be maintained, the efficiency decreases and the risk of microbial infestation increases.
When not carefully applied, chemical treatments may damage surrounding surfaces or landscaping. Overspray or runoff from the application process may stain or discolor exterior finishes, siding, windows, or vegetation.
Chemical treatments may damage the appearance and integrity of the property. Professionals will contain the chemical treatments to minimize accidental damage to surrounding surfaces.
Gerri Davies2024-02-21Absolutely overjoyed with the results and would highly recommend. Gutters were filthy and clogged up and they’re all sorted now thank you. Efficient and really conscientious in his work and he even checked in with my neighbor for any residual. Good job well done thank you
Jane Howard2024-02-21Pete and his partner did a fantastic job on a filthy conservatory in truly horrible weather conditions. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend!
Michelle Maybury2024-02-20Very good service. Would recommend.
Robert Flavell2023-12-08The team very friendly and helpful when cleaning my conservatory windows. They were pretty filthy but now look spotless and have been treated so green algae won’t appear so quickly. Well priced and wouldn’t hesitate to use again.
Jerry Shaffer2021-08-07Northampton Window Cleaners did a Great job cleaning my windows. They are very responsive, hardworking, and professional.
Northampton Cleaners
01604.279.112
Your local residential and commercial window and jet cleaning professionals.
Professional window cleaning and pressure washing expertise, the best experience, and reasonable prices.
