Cleaning Your Roof- Best Tips

Jun 18, 2020

J&B Construction

June Blog Post

6-10-20

Roof Cleaning Tips

When regular roof cleaning and maintenance are neglected, algae, moss, and lichens may form on the roof. This spells disaster for the roof as these living organisms will actually consume your shingles. More specifically, they’re interested in the limestone filler, which most shingles are comprised of. If not taken care of promptly, these living organisms can eat through the shingles and the roof deck, allowing moisture to seep in, and ultimately result in mold and wood rot.

Moreover, algae, moss, and lichens hinder a roof’s ability to properly reflect sunlight. Therefore, your roof will retain more heat than it should, trapping a copious amount inside your attic space. Consequently, the air conditioning system will have to work harder to compensate for the temperature increase, which will raise your energy bills.

What’s more, these organisms are invisible to the naked eye in their early stages. So, just because you can’t see them, doesn’t mean that they’re not residing on your roof, growing and waiting to cause damage down the road.

Additionally, maintaining a clean roof will help extend its lifespan as well as increase your home’s curb appeal.

What does cleaning a roof entail?

There are two primary methods for cleaning a roof, including pressure washing and chemical cleaning. Pressure washing is best used on concrete or metal roofs as the highly pressurized water can actually loosen shingles and cause other damage.

Alternatively, chemical cleaning is often advised for shingle roofs. The chemical is often a biodegradable solution that is gently sprayed onto the roof. Thanks to its chemical makeup, it will effectively cling to the roof, minimizing runoff.

In addition, it is possible to install zinc strips on the roof to assist in keeping it clean. The zinc strips are typically installed below the roof ridge vent, roof cap, or first row of shingles and under the chimney, dormers, skylights, and other barriers that impede the regular movement of water off the roof. When it rains, zinc-ions are discharged to remove the algae, moss, and lichens from the roof deck.

J&B Construction fabricates in its shop its own strips made of copper that provides the same benefits of a zinc strip, but the copper strips turn a dark bronze, which is more aesthetically appealing on the roof line. Plus, the copper strips can be installed on specific areas of the roof that may be more inclined to have issues with stains and fungus.

Who should clean a roof?

Although homeowners, if capable and equipped for the task, can clean their own roofs, it’s strongly recommended to hire a professional as algae and moisture can create a slick and dangerous surface that is exceptionally difficult to navigate safely.

How often your roof should be cleaned?

Knowing when to clean the roof will depend on the type of materials your roof is comprised of as well as its age and condition. A general rule of thumb is to clean the roof approximately once every three to five years. When it comes to roof cleaning, it’s most beneficial to be proactive.

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Enjoy Peace Of Mind

The only complaint I have is when I have J&B do my roof in another 30 years or so, is Dave their sales man (a great guy) would not guaranty I could get the same great crew I had this time. They did a fantastic job. Much better than the last roofing company did. A nice bunch of guys. Did a very nice job cleaning up. I'd give them 10 stars but 5 is the limit. If you need a roof done this is the company you want to do it. One more point I need to make. The guys that did the chimney flashing are artists. I went up on the roof when they were done and was very pleased with not only the roofing job but the sculptured sheet metal work. It's kind of a shame it's on the roof and not hanging on the family room wall :). You get the point. Hire em. You'll like em.

Dave H

We live in a historic designated neighborhood and recently had our 30 year wood shingle roof replaced with another wood roof and new gutters. From Day 1 of the project to the final day, the entire team was responsive, professional, and very competent. When some minor changes were proposed by us they quickly and effortlessly complied. After going through this experience with J&B, I would highly recommend them to anyone considering a roof and gutter replacement, whether it be a simple or complicated project.

John Lamb

J & B did an amazing job from start to finish. The initial meeting at my home took place exactly at the time that was agreed upon and Scott was thorough in his explanations and transparent about costs. When the time came to begin the project, the team that showed up was friendly, professional and timely in getting the project done. The cleanup afterward was such that it looked like they hadn't been there at all. The roof looks great, there were no surprises and Scott came by to inspect the work and explain the warranty upon job completion. I would highly recommend them.

Kenneth Simons

My neighbor had their roof replaced and I was really impressed with the speed, carefulness and quality of the work I saw. Asked her for her experience and she told me she would highly recommend J & B. I called Scott to set an appointment. He showed up on time and was very thorough in his assessment, also letting me know about some other issues and advise on where to get help. J & B is a fantastic company to deal with - their people are incredibly careful about the work they do, clean up and leave the property in the same condition as when they started, were careful about plants and the house, and work very efficiently. The office staff is great about following up, checking in and very responsive to anything that comes up. I was happy with the price charged. If you are looking to replace your roof, you should be calling J & B to get the job done.

David W.

We had work done by the J&B team at a commercial property and were very pleased with the whole process. Their estimator met us onsite and communicated with us every step of the way. They went over the scope in detail and the work performed exceeded what we were expecting. They found some additional concerns during the installation that were quickly addressed and communicated to us and to our surprise, there was not an additional charge. Our tenants reached out to share how respectful the employees were during the installation and how clean everything was left afterwards. As the project was wrapped up, we were walked through the completion paperwork and provided the warranty information. Very impressed with the professionalism of this company and would not hesitate to refer their services or use them again in the future.

Jessie C.