With summer nearing its end and the hustle and bustle of the holidays approaching, it’s a great time to clean your roof. Keeping your roof clean can seem like a tedious task, but it’s essential if you want to prolong its life and protect your home. Your roof goes through a lot, especially with the summer storms we have here in Alabama and Florida. Here are some areas and tasks you should pay special attention to when you’re ready to clean!
Trim Nearby Trees
Falling debris like branches and tree leaves can damage shingles and clog your gutters, so if you see trees lingering around your roof, go ahead and get those trimmed back. It’s better to trim them now than for it to be a problem later if a storm hits. It is recommended to contact a professional to take care of this job, as it can cause problems if you attempt to but are unable.
Clean Gutters
As mentioned above, debris can fall into gutters and cause clogs, so it’s important to clean your gutters regularly as a preventative measure. To clean your gutters effectively, follow these steps:
- Get on a ladder. Adjust the ladder to where you don’t have to stretch and reach to avoid the potential for injury
- Put on gloves and carefully remove the debris from the gutters with your hands or a gutter scoop and place it into a trash bag or bucket
- Remove and clean the downspout strainers
- Attach a strong spray nozzle to your garden hose and flush out the gutter while looking for leaks as you go
If at any time you feel like the task is too difficult, consult with a professional.
Inspect Shingles
Before cleaning your shingles, it is important to inspect them to look for signs of damage. If you see missing, curled, or damaged shingles, schedule someone to make the repairs, as leaving damages untouched can lead to a myriad of issues. To clean your shingles, mix equal parts chlorine bleach and water and use a sprayer attached to your hose to spread the mixture.
Examine Your Attic
Not all roof damage is visible outside. To ensure your roof isn’t leaking, look in your attic for signs of mold. To get a better look, bring a flashlight with you. Take note of any discoloration and set up an appointment with a professional as soon as possible if you believe you have detected mold.
Preparation for Cleaning
Identify the Type of Roof
Before starting a summer roof cleaning project, it is crucial to identify the type of roof you are working with. Different types of roofs require different types of cleaning materials and methods.
Gather Necessary Materials
Once you have identified the type of roof, you must gather all of the necessary materials for cleaning. This includes a ladder, gloves, safety equipment, and various cleaners, depending on the type of roof.
Ensure Proper Safety Measures Are in Place
Never underestimate the importance of safety when engaging in any home improvement project. Properly secure your ladder and make sure that someone else is present to help with tasks such as reaching high areas or helping to stabilize the ladder if necessary.
Rinse & Dry Your Roof Properly
Rinse With Clean Water After Cleaning
After you have finished cleaning your roof, it is important to rinse all surfaces with clean water to remove any leftover residue from cleaners used during the process.
Allow Enough Time For Drying
Make sure that you allow enough time for your roof to dry properly before applying any sealants or coating products to protect against future dirt build-up and staining damage caused by environmental exposure, such as sun exposure or rain accumulation over time from poor drainage systems.
If you are looking for roof maintenance assistance, the professionals at Ridgeline Construction would love to help you. Be sure to give us a call at (256) 325-1345.
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