DIY Washing of Roof : How to Clean Your Roof

Your roof endures lots of wear and tear through the year. The sun smacks against it during the summer months while rain pours down on it in the spring, and then snow and ice build up on it during winter. So it's no wonder that roof cleaning is a smart idea. Though you may not have thought of cleaning your roof prior, it's actually a DIY task that homeowners are able to do themselves. Read on for the steps you need to follow to guide you through this task and make sure your roof remains in good condition.

How to Plan Your Roof Washing

No matter if you're a competent DIYer or new to home improvement projects cleaning your roof is a great way to maintain the appearance of your home as well as improve the lifespan of your roofing. If you're planning to do the roof cleaning yourself, here's all you need to be aware of about roof cleaning DIY.

Pick the Right Day

Roof washing is not only something to perform on the spot. Be sure to pick the right day to complete the task according to the weather conditions.

Take Safety Precautions

Before starting, it is important to establish the right conditions to ensure you're safe. Make sure you wear shoes that aren't slippery so that you don't slip and fall. In addition, if the roof has slopes, you can also protect yourself from falling by attaching yourself to your chimney using ropes to ensure you remain secure. Wear safety glasses so that debris won't enter your eyes when you work. Wear gloves that are thick so that cleaning products don't fall directly onto your hands.

Remove Debris

It is possible to remove any debris from your roof using the help of a broom or leaf blower prior to beginning cleaning your roof. Be sure that your plants are protected so that falling debris won't cause harm to the plants.

Remove Moss and Algae

If you have areas of your roof covered with algae or moss and you want to remove them, make use of a garden hose to remove them. If you aren't able to spray, then scrub the scuffs with a soft-bristle broom.

Get the Right Cleaning Materials

Water and soap aren't likely to suffice to finish the job. But, you do not want to make use of harsh chemicals that could harm the building materials of the roof, along with the gutters and plants that surround your house. You may prefer to make use of sodium hypochlorite or sodium hydroxide solutions. But, before you choose a cleaner, you must research which will be safe to use on your particular roofing type. Once you've found the best cleaning products, dilute them and mix them according to the directions of the manufacturer, and then add them to an outdoor sprayer.

Apply Cleaners to the Roof

Use the solution to clean over your roof until it is saturated and the runoff has stopped. If certain areas are dry when you're finished, spray the areas.

Rinse the Roof

Once you've finished applying the cleaning solution all over the roof, you can use the garden hose to wash it off. Be sure to perform an efficient job to ensure that there are no traces of cleaner left that can cause discoloration or harm.