How Often Should I Clean Off My Roof?

The solar energy that your roof absorbs allows it to heat up, so if any roofing materials are left on for too long, they can catch fire. This is why shingle roofs fairhope al need regular cleaning, not only because it can lead to roof fires but also because roof water damages roof shingles during the cold winter months. Since roof water doesn’t usually run off right away, having debris on top of your roof will cause ice dams that leaks through your roof and down into your home’s insulation. When ice dams leak through your roof, they don’t just damage the insulation underneath they can also cause other types of roofing materials to become weak and start to fall apart. This is why roof cleaning is very important.

Here are some factors that will help you answer the question “how often should I clean off my roof?”

Roof Age

How old is your roof? Is it over 5 years old? If so, then you should consider roof cleaning as part of your annual roof maintenance plan. You can hire a professional roofer or do it yourself to clean your roof at least once per year. If you use a pressure washer on your roof after applying soap solution, this forces contaminants down into the asphalt shingles and away from the surface of your roof where they can cause more damage or catch fire.

Roof type

Not everyone needs roof cleaning as often as others. If you have a roof that doesn’t sustain a lot of damage from the elements, then it may be okay to clean off your roof every 2 or 3 years. However, if you have a roof with a steep slope and trees surrounding your home, roof cleaning should be part of your roofing maintenance plan twice per year. Here are some types of roofing:

(i) Clay Tile Roofs

Clay tile roofs are similar in shape to terracotta pots, except made out of clay or ceramic. If your roof is over 20 years old chances are good that it’s clay tile. They can be very expensive to purchase but last a long time. If you do decide to take on this project, roof cleaning should be done every three years or so. If your roof is over 30 years old and you haven’t cleaned it in a while, we recommend having your roof cleaned and resealed.

(ii) Concrete Tile Roofs

Concrete roof tiles are made out of concrete and come in a variety of shapes and styles. They can be found on very expensive homes, but also on more modest houses as well. We always recommend roof cleaning for this type of roof every two to four years, depending on how much foot traffic the roof gets.

(iii) Composition Shingle Roofs

These roofs look like small shingles and come in a variety of colors. You can find composition roofing on about any type of roof out there, from the cheaper roof options to more expensive roof types. Roof cleaning should be done every two years with this roof (and sometimes yearly if you live where it’s really dirty).

(iv) Metal Roofs

Metal roofs come in all different shapes and sizes, usually based on their use. They look like corrugated metal, and they’re usually found on commercial properties. If you have a metal roof, every three years it needs to be professionally cleaned. In between those three-year intervals, we recommend doing some roof maintenance yourself.

(v) TPO Membrane Roofs

TPO is a roofing material that is built to mimic roofing tile or roofing shingle. It’s made out of plastic, so it holds up MUCH better against the sun than other types of roofing. Roof cleaning for this roof should be done every three years, just like metal roofing.

Weather 

In some areas there are certain seasons where roof cleaning is especially important. For example, in places where it snows heavily, roof fires can start from embers blown from furnaces or fireplaces on top of roofs getting too hot and igniting dried out mosses and lichens. The best way to protect against this risk is by doing roof washing before any major winter storms hit, so roof fire prevention needs to be taken seriously.

Cost

Roof cleaning is not a very expensive roof expense, but if you aren’t ready or able to clean your roof yourself then it’s going to cost a little bit of money to have someone else do it for you.

You can inquire with roofing companies in your area on how much roof cleaning costs because the prices will vary depending on where you live and how big your roof is. If you can perform this roof task yourself, then it will only take up one day of your weekend, but make sure that any equipment like ladders or pressure washers are secured properly before starting the roof cleaner process.