Do You Need to Clean Your Roof?

When it comes to roof health, most people are (rightfully) concerned about roof maintenance and what signs of damage they need to look out for. However, there is another aspect of roof maintenance that is often overlooked – cleaning. But do you need to clean your roof, and if so, how do you go about it?

Do you need to clean your roof?

The main benefit of cleaning your roof is that it keeps it looking good. Some roofing materials will naturally remain in good condition and will be cleaned by the rain, but others may retain dirt and grime a bit more than others. Therefore, the type of roofing material you have will determine how often you have to clean it, if at all.

Regular inspections are the most important aspect of roof maintenance

The first stage of any kind of roof maintenance, including cleaning, is to carry out a roof inspection. You should be able to tell just from looking whether your roof needs cleaning. You can use a ladder to get a good view of the whole roof, but you shouldn’t climb onto it as it can damage the roofing material.

As well as the exterior of the roof, you should also check in the loft to see if there are any interior signs of water ingress, such as damp or water stains. This may indicate that there is damage to the roof you cannot see. In this case, you will want to try and trace where the leak could be coming from on the inside, and then try and trace the spot to the roof exterior and inspect it closely.

If you do find any damage, you may want to hold off on any intensive roof cleaning until you have your roof repaired. This is because any water or cleaning solutions may get into the property.

Regular gutter cleaning is important

While regular cleaning of your roofing material may not always be necessary, you should regularly check your gutters for any debris which can build up and cause blockages. This is especially important during times of the year when there is particularly bad weather or there is lots of debris falling off the trees, such as in the autumn and winter.

How to clean guttering

To clean your gutters, start by removing as much debris as you can by hand, and putting it in a waste bag. The debris found in gutters is usually a mix of leaves, dirt and other foliage, but there may be other items that have been blown in by the wind, and it is best to wear gloves for this task.

Once you have cleared the debris, wash down the gutters with a hose and use an appropriate solution if necessary, such as for any moss or mould growth. Keep an eye out also for any sections of the guttering that are warped or cracked as these may need replacing.

Any moss, mould or algae should be cleaned

Moss retains water that can seep into your roof if left untreated. This moisture can allow further water to ingress into the property and cause damage to possessions, walls and even the roofing structure if rot sets in. The moss growth can also damage your roofing material as it grows by displacing tiles and creating gaps. Even if only for aesthetic reasons, you should clean the moss from your roof.

How to clean moss, mould, and algae from your roof

To clean moss, mould, and algae growth, wash down the roof with a hose and then use a trowel or stiff brush to scrape away the growths. Once they have been removed, treat the area with an appropriate chemical to prevent it from growing back and then treat it with an appropriate chemical. Just be sure never to use a pressure washer on your roof, as this can cause damage to the roofing material.

Moss growth is usually caused by areas of the roof not drying properly due to being in the shade and not getting enough direct sunlight. To prevent this, cut back any overhanging trees that may be causing the shaded areas.

There are no hard and fast rules for how often you should clean your roof, but rather it is a case of regular roof inspections and cleaning as often as it looks like it needs it.

If you notice any damage to your roof during cleaning or an inspection, you can get in touch with our team of specialist roofers to see how we can help.