DIY Roof Washing: Cleaning Your Roof

The roof sure endures a lot of wear and tear the entire year. The sun shines down upon it during summer while rain pours down on it in the spring, and then snow and ice build up in winter. So it's no wonder that roof cleaning is a great idea. Though you may not have thought of cleaning your roof, it's a DIY task that homeowners are able to manage themselves. Follow the steps below to guide you through this task and ensure that your roof remains in good condition.

How to Plan Your Roof Washing

No matter if you're an expert DIYer or new to home improvement projects, cleaning your roof is a great way to maintain the appearance of your house and improve the lifespan of your roofing. If you're planning to do the roof cleaning yourself, here's some of what you need to be aware of about roof cleaning DIY.

Pick the Right Day

Roof washing is not only something to perform on the spot. You must select the most suitable day to complete the task according to the weather conditions.

Take Safety Precautions

Before starting, it is important to have the right conditions to ensure you're safe. Wear shoes that aren't slick to ensure that you do not slip and fall. In addition, if the roof has a slope, it is possible to further protect yourself from falling by attaching yourself to your chimney using ropes to ensure you remain secure. Wear safety glasses so that debris won't enter your eyes when you work. Use thick gloves to ensure that clean materials don't end up on your hands.

Remove Debris

It is possible to remove any debris from your roof using the help of a broom or leaf blower prior to beginning cleaning your roof. Be sure that your plants are covered to ensure that falling debris won't cause harm to them.

Remove Moss and Algae

If you notice spots on your roof covered with algae or moss and you want to remove them, make use of a garden hose to remove them. If the spray doesn't work, clean the scuffs using a soft-bristle brush.

Get the Right Cleaning Materials

Water and soap aren't sufficient to finish the job. But, you should not employ harsh chemicals that could harm the building materials of the roof and also the gutters and plants around your house. Instead, you might want to utilize sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide-based products. Before you decide on a cleaner, you must research which will be safe to use on your particular type of roof. If you have found the appropriate cleaning products, dilute them and mix them in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer and place them in an outdoor sprayer.

Apply Cleaner to the Roof

Apply the cleaner onto your roof until it is saturated and the runoff has stopped. If you notice areas that are drying after you're done, re-spray the areas.

Rinse the Roof

After you've put the cleaning solution over the entire roof, you can use the garden hose to wash it off. Be sure to perform an efficient job to ensure that there are no traces of cleaner left as it could cause discoloration or other harm.