Shingles are an important decorative element that adds to the charm and aesthetic appeal of your pitched roof. However, their role is not limited to decorative purposes. They are the main water-repellent layer that protects the roof from moisture damage.
They are the most prevalent roofing method for pitched roofs. Using them is advantageous because they can cover roofs of all shapes due to their small size. They can easily be laid on the ridge, valleys, and other changes in a pitched roof. Making them a perfect choice for all homeowners.
However, as time progresses, they accumulate a lot of dirt, debris, grim, and algae growth. All these significantly reduce the aesthetic appeal of your home and can also cause serious concerns if not cleaned on time.
Cleaning your shingle roof is not a very difficult task and you can do it yourself by learning about all the steps. Cleaning can significantly enhance the longevity and aesthetic appeal of your roofs. Giving it a brand-new look.
In this blog post, we are going to explain all the steps that you need to know before starting the cleaning process.
Some Important Prerequisites
If you are planning to do the cleaning process by yourself, there are some important prerequisites that you must know. These include
1. Selecting the Cleaning Agent
Selecting the right cleaning agent is of prime importance for the cleaning purpose. One of the most commonly used cleaning agents is bleach solution or sodium hypochlorite. You can use bleach solution in various concentrations with water for different needs.
For light stains, it is recommended to use a 25% bleach and 75% water solution. However, if there is a large number of algae or fire moss, you can use a 75% bleach and 25% water solution that effectively removes all the algae.
2. Avoid Using Pressure Washer
Using a pressure washer is not recommended while cleaning a shingle roof as the excessive pressure can damage the shingles. Excessive pressure can wear off the above surface of singles making them weak and prone to damage.
Therefore, it is recommended to use a brush along with the cleaning agent. Proper scrubbing can remove all the stuck-on dust, grim, and remove all stains. After scrubbing use a regular garden hose for applying water that washes away all the dirt.
3. Clean the Gutters
Make sure to clean the gutters before starting the cleaning process. A clogged gutter can restrict the proper drainage of toxic water which can then fall over the roof into your garden or plants. This toxic water can pollute the soil and cause damage to your plants.
Tools Required
- Ladder
- Safety Gear
- Garden Hose
- Medium-Stiff Broom
- Gutter Scoop
- Drop Cloth
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Air Blower
Step By Step Process of Cleaning Roof Shingles
4. Clean the Roof
The cleaning process starts by removing all the loose dirt and leaves. You can either use a broom or an air blower for this purpose. Start from the top and remove all the dirt, grime, leaves, or any other thing that’s stuck on the roof.
This prevents you from trips and falls. Furthermore, it also allows the cleaning solution to directly attach to the dirt or grim making it more efficient.
5. Apply the Cleaning Solution
Now it’s time to apply the cleaning solution. It can directly pour the solution on the roof using a bucket; however, it is a very inefficient method. The solution might get spilled in front of your house or in your garden. Therefore, you can use a backpack sprayer gun that distributes the solution more evenly.
Fill the spray gun with the determined amount of bleach and water. Make sure that the solution is sufficient to fulfill your needs. If possible, try to select a solution that is environmentally friendly and causes the least damage to plants and vegetation.
6. Start From the Top to the Bottom
After selecting the solution, start spraying it from the top all the way to the bottom of the roof. Make sure to spray an even layer of the solution over the whole roof and cover all the stains and dirty spots.
After the solution is applied, give it nearly 20 minutes so that it can easily break down all the stains, mold, and stuck-on dirt.
7. Rinse the Roof with Water
After leaving the solution for 20 minutes, rinse the roof using a garden hose and remove all the dirt and grim. You can also use the broom to remove the dirt and grim stuck on the surface that is difficult to remove by water pressure.
8. Double Treating Problem Areas
If your roof has significant mold, algae growth, or stains then a one-time treatment isn’t enough. To clean them effectively you might need another coat of the solution. Reapply the solution on those specific areas and use a broom to gently scrub the affected areas.
After you are fully satisfied with the results, rinse the roof again with water.