On the surface, pressure washing may seem pretty straightforward, but the truth is it’s not as simple as it looks. This is because pressure washing uses high-pressure water to remove grime, dust, mud, and all kinds of dirt on different parts of a structure such as your roof.
Since cleaning your roof is already difficult on its own when you use a pressure washer, it can get pretty dangerous; that’s why it’s best to leave it to professional roofers. Nonetheless, if you’re curious to know what really goes down when it comes to pressure washing your roof, here’s a quick guide from our expert roofers explaining how they go about pressure washing your roof.
Let’s take a look!
How Do Roofers Pressure Wash a Roof?
From afar, shingles can look strong enough and could provide enough traction for you to mount on the roof. But since it’s exposed to various environmental factors, it can develop wet algae, making it slippery as oil. With that being said, there are several things roofers follow to ensure they stay safe while they work on your roof.
- The first step is roofers will inspect your roof for problem spots or areas that need extra cleaning and repairs. By doing this before cleaning, roofers will have a general idea of what they’re working with to avoid unpleasant surprises.
- Before spraying high-pressure water, roofers will first step off the ladder and work on the other corner of the roof with their back towards the ladder. This way, they won’t risk stepping on slippery, wet shingles.
- Roofers will then start to apply biodegradable detergent to loosen up your algae and moss so they won’t cling into the shingles. Once the detergent has settled, they can start washing.
- First, they’ll begin with a lower setting to see if your shingles can tolerate the pressure and would gradually increase the pressure when the shingles can sustain that much power.
- After the wash, roofers will then inspect for eye-level damage to see if the pressure was too high or if your roof would need post-washing repairs.
What Do Roofers Consider?
Roofers recommend that you power washing your roof once every one or two years. This is because when done frequently, you speed up your roof’s wear and tear, making it susceptible to more damage in a short amount of time.
Considering that roof cleaning is a dangerous job, it’s best to have highly skilled individuals handle this task. The reason behind this is that you need to consider the type of roof you’re working with and its current state.
Does it have too much damage? Is algae growth more apparent? — these are things your roofers need to address as well.
The Bottom Line: Have a Professional Handle Your Roof Cleaning Job
Although cleaning your roof yourself may sound easy, appealing, and cost-effective, it’s still a dangerous task, and there are many things to factor in before starting the job. With that, it’s best to have professional roofers tackle this project to ensure all things are considered — from inspection to equipment down to maintenance advice.
How Can We Help You?
If you’re looking for reliable roofers in San Diego, you’ve come to the right place.
Pioneer Roofing Company was founded by John Stout in the 80s and has served the Rocky Mountain West region of the US since then. Our family-owned and operated business has become the most respected and trusted roofing company in the area.
From residential roofing to commercial roofing, down to repairs, we’ve got you covered. Learn more about our services and call us at 619-432-ROOF today!