Is Washing a Roof a Good Idea?
All you need to know before a routine roof maintenance.
We drive around our neighborhoods and admire the beautiful homes with well kept landscaping and architecture; however, we notice the marring black stains on roofs and a green north side that just makes things look unkept. Most roofs in Long Island, NY are well past due for a routine roof wash. The benefits of cleaning far outweigh turning a blind eye. Look up and if your roof has black streaks, moss or oil burner soot stains it needs a soft wash cleaning.
Soft washing a roof with black stains, moss and lichen.
What is growing on my roof?
Moss, Lichen and Gloeocapsa Magma growth.
Organic growth on our roofs and siding is not a new issue for Long Island homes. Why does my North facing surfaces become green quickly? North sides stay wet longer because it receives far less light and warmth compared to our southern facing surfaces. Likewise, our homes are shaded by our towering oak trees with a humid climate. This is a perfect environment for algae growth.
North sides turn green with algae first!
What is soft washing and is it safe to soft wash a roof?
Soft washing is the low pressure application of detergent solution and a low pressure rinse similar to a heavy rain. Professionally applied soft washing detergents are environmentally friendly and biodegradable. Many homeowners try but DIY roof cleaning is not recommended as roof cleaning requires, chemicals, ladder work, a high volume pump and roof walking. We take proper precautions to protect vegetation and reclaim detergent solutions as it is good practice. Our property protection of vegetation keeps plants wet before during and after application to insure no adverse effects.
Low pressure soft washing treatment of algae, moss, lichen.
Is roof washing a good idea?
“Why does my entire neighborhood have black stains on roof,” you ask? Most roof stains in Suffolk County is Gloeocapsa Magma (GM). Gloeocapsa Magma is an airborne bacteria traveling from rooftop to rooftop like a virus. Many times entire neighborhoods have black stains across their roofs and unfortunately the next color is green. Moss! Once black stains start appearing it is time to call a professional roof washing company to apply a soft wash treatment. “How does algae, mold, mildew and dirt get up there?” According to The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), shady wet areas collect dirt and hold moisture breeding algae, GM, fungus, mold and moss.
How do I get rid of moss on my roof?
Getting rid of moss is a job left to the professionals. In most cases the moss is rooted into your shingles and cannot be brushed off completely. Can I pressure wash my roof moss? Roofs are soft washed using a solution approved by ARMA and never pressure washed. Pressure washing can easily cut through shingles causing leaks and knocking off the granules or break shingles. It can be tempting to pressure wash off the moss but it will cause damage and lower the lifespan of your roof. We don’t recommend DIY roof cleaning as it is hazardous in many ways. We soft wash moss and all organic growth. It is then rinsed and left to shrivel up and rains will eventually wash it off. This is the least harmful way to clean a roof. All in all, it is important to keep up with roof cleaning to prolong the life of the roof and to optimize its efficiency to shed water and heat.
If you live in Suffolk County New York and your roof needs a soft wash, please contact us by filling out the form or clicking the “Learn More” button below.
