4 Things to Know About the Importance of Roof Cleaning

Homeowners do a lot to keep their home looking clean and fresh. Mowing the lawn, shoveling the walkway, power washing the deck and siding, repainting, and more.

But something that many homeowners forget about is roof cleaning.

Your roof and gutters might be less of an aesthetic factor when it comes to keeping your home clean and sleek, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less important to keep clean. In fact, it’s one of the most important areas of the home to maintain. Unlike lots of aesthetic upgrades homeowners can worry about sometimes, cleaning your roof can help you avoid costly damage.

We know that not everyone is a roofing expert, which is where we can help. We’re going to go over 4 things to know about the importance of roof cleaning services so you can get started before you end up needing a roof repair.

1. Prevent Ice Dam Formation

Ice dams are ridges of ice that form at the edge of your roof during the winter. These can form as a result of not cleaning the snow and/or debris off of your roof after snowfall or after a storm.

As the snow melts and runs off the roof, it can freeze at the edge of the roof forming a large wall of ice known as an ice dam. This prevents water from draining off the roof, which makes the problem progressively worse over time.

Ice dams can cause serious damage to your roof and to your home. They can lead to leaks, shingle and roof damage, dangerous icicle formation, gutter damage, and more.

There’s a very simple fix to preventing ice dam formation: roof and gutter cleaning.

Cleaning your roof and clearing off any snow and debris on it can prevent the formation of ice dams. It’s important to either do this very carefully or hire a roofing professional to clean the roof as inexperience can lead to further roof damage, gutter damage, or physical injury.

Read more about ice dam prevention here.

2. Prevent Roof Algae, Moss, and Lichens

The roof over your head protects you and your family from the weather, the elements, and nature in general. That means that it’s exposed to all of those things 24/7, which, in turn, means that dirt, water, leaves, plants, and more all find their way onto the roof at some point.

The problem is that rain and snow can often make your roof appear clean when there’s actually dirt, moss, lichen, and algae existing all over the roof (especially on the side that gets less sun).

Just because these things can appear invisible doesn’t mean that they aren’t a problem for you and your home. They can also cause aesthetic problems: these things can make your roof appear blotchy and stained with dark blue and green splotches on various parts of the roof.

Algae, moss, and lichens on your roof can greatly decrease your roof’s lifespan and increase the likelihood you’ll need a roof replacement sooner. They can lead to gutter and shingle damage as well.

Not only that, but these things can also harbor mold spores, which can lead to mold growth. Mold can cause various negative health consequences throughout your home.

Roof cleaning services can get rid of, and prevent, algae, moss, and lichen growth on your roof. Cleaning after you notice any of this growth can reduce any potential damage it causes.

3. Avoid Shingle Damage

Failing to clean your roof can lead to shingle damage as a result of ice dams, falling debris, and the algae/moss/lichen growth. Damaged or missing roof shingles can lead to serious problems with your roof including:

• Mold growth
• Water damage to the roof and the inside of your home
• Mold and/or fungal growth
• Decreased energy efficiency (increased power bills)

Shingle damage in the winter is especially damaging. Debris, snow, and ice can easily damage or remove shingles if they are not cleaned properly. This can allow water to seep into your roof, walls, and more.

When that water freezes, it can lead to cracks in your roof, walls, and home’s structure. Not only is this very expensive to fix, it’s also extremely dangerous for your home’s structural integrity.

Cleaning your roof consistently, or having it cleaned by a professional, can reduce the chance of shingle damage.

4. Prevent Wood Rot

Moss and algae as well as ice dams and shingle damage can lead to excess water seeping into your roof.

This leads to increased chances that you’ll get a leaky roof, freezing water damage, and wood rot. Water getting into the wood of your roof and home can lead to serious rotting damage that can be very expensive to have repaired. If the damage is extensive, you might need a roof replacement.

You’re better off properly cleaning and maintaining your roof to prevent this from happening. Wood rot can often go undetected by homeowners, so you might not always know it’s happening. That’s another reason why consistent roof cleanings are essential for the health and longevity of your roof.

Roof Repair and Roof Cleaning Go Hand in Hand

Roof cleaning is an important part of maintaining your roof. Clearing off snow, debris, dirt, and other natural elements can extend your roof’s lifespan and reduce any potential damage caused to both your roof and your home.

However, it’s easy to neglect cleaning, forget about it, or not understand the importance, which is where professional roof repair comes in. At Farina Roofing, we understand the importance of roof cleaning services and how it can affect repairs.

We take care of everything and can make sure that your roof is clean and repaired after storms, neglect, or damage. Contact us today to get an inspection and our professional opinion on what you need.

This post is an advertorial piece contributed by a Patch Community Partner, a local sponsor. The views expressed in this post are the author's own.

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