How to Avoid Damage When Pressure Washing Your Roof

Residential and commercial roofs in the Clearwater area can sure take a beating during the course of a typical year. High humidity levels and salt spray, if you are near the ocean, do their work daily, while the occasional tropical storm pounds dirt and debris and make a dingy roof look even worse. Soon, moss, algae or lichen can begin to take hold and slowly damage your roof, shortening its life.

Most Clearwater area roofs have a lifespan of around 15 or 20 years, however, if you have a tile or asbestos roof, that lifespan often extends to 50 years or more. To keep your roof in top condition and get the most out of it, you have to perform periodic maintenance, which includes pressure washing the surface, particularly if organic material has begun to build up.


Pressure Washing Your Roof on Your Own

Cleaning your roof can be a tricky business. In fact, you'll see many well-meaning organizations advise you to never power wash your roof because of the damage you can do to it. The simple truth is, yes, power washing can damage your roof, but that's only if you use a setting that is too high or don't follow directions on the pressure washer. Power washing is still the best way to clean your roof, especially if you have organic growth covering it.


Tips for Pressure Washing Your Roof

• Buy and Apply a Good Detergent

Before you begin, check the surface for damage and repair those areas before beginning the cleaning job. Buy a good quality biodegradable detergent that is compatible with your power washer. Always check with the manufacturer of your roof's components to see if they have a list of recommended cleaners as well as ones you should avoid. Applying detergent to shingles, tiles or whatever type of surface you have and letting it sit will help loosen the organic material that has accumulated and allows you to use less pressure.

Apply the detergent with a foamer or soap shooter. Work in sections by applying the detergent and then spraying it clean before moving onto the next area. This technique will also help you avoid talking on wet areas that may be slippery.

• Use Low Pressure to Spray the Roof Clean

The strength of the water is the single most significant factor that can cause roof damage. Use a low pressure along with a 35 percent medium spray nozzle, which allows the water to spread over a wider area, diminishing the chance of damage. Avoid increasing the pressure if you have difficulty washing away organic matter and dirt, instead move the nozzle toward the surface.

The way you aim the stream at the roof is also important. Never aim the stream upward as the force can pry the shingles loose. Aim the stream downward toward the gutter and keep the tip at least a foot away from the surface. It's also important to aim downward because aiming upward not only runs the risk of damaging shingles, you may also get water underneath them, which can damage the lining. Frequently inspect for any damage that you may have inadvertently caused.

• Be Careful Where You Stand

Of course, you should never stand on wet areas of your roof, but there are other areas that are off-limits. Avoid walking on the ridge caps as these areas are the seams for the peaks and rooflines of your building. Walking heavily on this area can cause premature wear, which can eventually turn into leaks.

Standing on a ladder to do the job should also be avoided, if possible, because of the pressure exerted by the power washing machine. Make sure that you have softs shoes with non-slip soles. When on the roof, always maintain a wide stance and be aware of exactly where your feet are.


How Often Should I Clean My Roof?

If you follow those tips, you'll have a clean roof in no time. Pressure washing your roof only needs to be done about every two years unless organic matter begins to build up.

If your your roof is steep, however, or if you're unsure about doing the job on your own, you've probably performed a search for pressure washing near me. DPI Pressure Washing can easily do the job for you at a price that you can easily afford. To clean Clearwater area roofs, we use a soft power wash technique along with a bleach gel to remove organic growth that will get the surface clean while avoiding damage at the same time. What's more DPI Pressure Washing takes measures to catch all of the runoff so that none reaches the immediate environment to damage your landscaping and plants.

Contact DPI Pressure Washing today at 813-991-7243 or visit our quote page for your free estimate.

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