Our roofs protect us from the outside elements, like the blazing summer sun and autumn downpours, which is why we must maintain them as you do the rest of our homes. But waiting until the rain starts coming down hard to get your roof cleaned can hinder shingle performance. Instead, get your roof ready for fall ahead of time with professional pressure washing services in Richland, WA. With that in mind, let’s look at a few types of natural debris that should be cleaned off your roof.
Things that can end up on your roof
The natural debris that likes to chill on your roof looks bad and can cause damage to roofing materials—and may even be the reason you have a leaky roof. While you can’t prevent outdoor debris from appearing on top of your house, you do have the power to clear it off:
- Tree debris: A lot of the same debris that ends up in your rain gutters starts off landing on your roof first. From small twigs and pieces of limbs to leaves and pollen, anything that can shake itself loose from an overhanging tree has the potential to drop onto your roof. If tree debris is not removed by you or blown away by the wind, then it could start to decompose, even turn into a home for bugs, insects and small animals. Get all plant matter cleared away from your roof’s surface to ensure it remains strong for many years.
- Animal droppings: Animal feces and urine is not only gross to look at and offensive to the senses—it can also become a biohazard, especially if the bird or other animal was sick or diseased. Just like when you have bird poop on your car, droppings that stick to shingles will soon get caked on, making it harder to remove from the roof’s surface. All the more reason for an annual roof cleaning!
- Mold and mildew: Two of the most common organic growths found on roofing shingles are mold and mildew. These types of growths are seen on roofs in all sorts of climates, but more humid places and areas that experience sudden hot-to-cold and cold-to-hot temperature changes are often more susceptible. While weather is a natural cause of mold and mildew, a powerful blast from a professional grade pressure washer will remove it and do a good job of keeping it from spreading.
- Salt and moisture: Homes and businesses situated near the ocean have a fantastic view, all right, but they also battle saltwater winds. Salt can damage and fade exterior paint, as well as cause roof discoloration. In addition, humidity plus the cool ocean breeze equals fast-accumulating moisture buildup, which can lead to mold formation on roofing materials. Regular power washing can get rid of salt buildup and help prevent mold growth and the moisture that encourages it.
It’s recommended that you seek out pressure washing services in Richland, WA before spring and fall to avoid problems with or damage to your roof. To get your roof ready for fall with a thorough cleaning, contact the team at Imperial Power Washing today.
