Roof Cleaning by Roof Type

Roofs are made of various materials and when cleaning them the instructions and cleaning solution will be different for each one.

Asphalt shingles

Regardless of where the home is located, asphalt shingles is a common roof material. The shingles are known for their sand-like and granular finish. It is the type of finish that is designed to wear out slowly. Due to the layered, delicate nature of the shingles, it is important that when cleaning them that you do it gently so you do not destroy the layer of protection. Cleaning them too roughly will also decrease the lifespan of your roof. If you are using a pressure washer, you should use a low pressure washing of no higher than thirty psi, which is equal to a garden hose sprayer. You should not use a mixture of water trisodium phosphate (TSP), and bleach, even though it is found on the internet. There are several dangers associated with this solution. The bleach will only kill the surface layer of algae and mold, which will regrow, it will poison any vegetation that is under the roof when it runs off, and it can corrode the metal fastenings.

Ceramic tiles

This type of roof is very popular in the subtropical and Southwest regions and on Spanish-style houses. This roofing material can stand higher-pressure washing. It does it without suffering from wear or corrosion. One important thing to note is that when using a pressure washer you do need to control closely the psi because if you apply high pressure to the wrong place on the roof it could crack the ceramic tile. If this happens, it could require replacing ceramic tiles on your roof. To help prevent this, it is recommended that you use a soft wash. Ceramic tile roof cleaning should be done using a specialized formula that is designed to attack algae, mold, and fungi growth along with lifting stains.

Clay tiles

These tiles look similar to ceramic tiles and are popular in Southern and Southwest states, especially California. They are made using a method that combines sand and clay to make the tiles. This type of roof is excellent insulators. They help to reduce the homeowners cooling costs. The different between the ceramic and clay tiles is that the production methods make the clay tiles more porous. This makes them subject to wear even using low-pressure washing. You should clean them using a garden sprayer. A clay roof that is properly maintained should have a protective sealant to inhibit the grown of many organisms. You will still need to do roof cleaning using just water that is mixed with dish detergent or plain water. If you prefer there are specific cleaners that you can use on your clay tiles.

Donna J. Seymour