The climate in Yulee, and Nassau County in general, can be harsh on your home. Heat, humidity, rain, wind — all conditions that decay and damage your roof. Your home’s roof is also a prime spot for mold and algae growth. As tempting as it may be to grab a pressure washer and start spraying, that can cause more damage than weather, mold, and algae combined!

That’s where the home service experts at First Coast Home Pros come in. If you’re interested in low pressure roof cleaning for your Yulee home, call us today at (904) 383-7721.

Proper Care and Maintenance of Your Roof

The most common roofing material in the U.S. is asphalt shingles, but Yulee homes also have ceramic or concrete tile roofs, metal roofs, fiberglass and wood shingles, and other less common materials. Each type of roofing material requires different types of attention and maintenance.

In all cases, you should regularly step back and do a visual inspection of your roof. If you see any branches or debris, remove it, if it is safe to do so. If you have low hanging tree branches or any touching or brushing against your roof, have them trimmed. If your roof is safely accessible using a ladder, climb up and check to see if there are any missing or damaged shingles, tiles, flashing, screws, bolts, or nails.

Never climb up a ladder to do a roof inspection when you’re alone! Always make sure you have a second person to help secure the ladder and “spot you.”

In addition to debris and deterioration, check your roof for signs of algae, moss, and mold. Moss looks like small to large patches of low green, brown, or yellow plant growth. Algae look like long black or green streaks. Mold on a roof can look similar to algae, but typically looks like black streaks or patches.

Moss, mold, and algae are not harmless to roofs. In fact, they are quite the opposite. They can degrade your roofing material and cause leaks or even loosen tiles or shingles, allowing them to blow off in windy conditions.

If you find a great deal of dirt, debris, mold, algae, or moss, you may want to grab a pressure washer and “blast your roof clean.” Unfortunately, pressure washers tend to harm roofs more than help by loosening (or further loosening) tiles and shingles, causing gouges or worse.

Also, climbing onto a slippery roof is extremely dangerous for inexperienced homeowners. More than 125 construction workers are killed and thousands are injured every year due to falls from roofs. And those are professionals! The danger to DIYers can be even higher, so it’s not worth the risk. Instead, call the First Coast Home Pros at (904) 383-7721 for a professional roof inspection and to schedule a safe cleaning.

The Best Way to Clean Your Roof

We’ve already covered why blasting your roof with tens of thousands of pounds per square inch (PSI) of water is bad for its integrity and lifespan. So, if high pressure isn’t the way to go, you might think no pressure should be a better choice.

However, that’s not the best option for your roof or your yard.

Dumping mass quantities of moss-, algae- or mold-killing chemicals onto your roof may appear effective, quickly zapping the stain- and damage-causing problems. But roofing manufacturers specifically instruct homeowners that solutions must be properly applied and rinsed. Prolonged exposure to these chemicals on roofing materials can cause damage and degradation. Not to mention the ruin caused to lawns, gardens, and plants by full-strength chemicals dripping from the roof.

You may find “recipes” online for concocting your own roof cleaning solutions using bleach but rarely is it safe to climb up to a high, slippery location and hose bleach all over your roof. Not only will that drip and damage everything under your roofline, but it can also blow back and cause significant pain and injury to you.

Low Pressure Roof Cleaning Is the Safest Method

The safest roof cleaning technique is low pressure (or “soft wash”). And, with First Coast Home Pros, it is performed by trained professionals. No high pressure or heavy – duty chemicals are used, only sound, reliable solutions, and low pressure rinsing to protect your roof as well as your delicate plants and landscaping. There is no danger to you of slipping and falling from your slick roof either.

That, itself, is one of the biggest benefits of having your roof professionally cleaned – no risk of harm to you.

But a clean roof can also function better as well. Roofs free from debris and damage-causing algae, mold, and moss can actually function more optimally as they were meant to – to protect your home from both air and water leaks as well as providing prime energy efficiency protection. And when your roof is clean, your gutters are clean as well. That means water is flowing properly away from your roof and your home.

Finally, if you’re planning to sell your home any time soon, low pressure roof cleaning is a must. Dirty roofs look damaged and make your home overall look dingy – like it was not properly maintained. Most homebuyers can’t quite put their finger on it, but they definitely spot right away if a dirty, moss – or algae-covered roof is taking away from a home’s curb appeal.

Get a Free Estimate to Learn How Low Pressure Roof Cleaning Can Benefit You

Your roof is a huge investment, so take care of it. Make sure it is inspected for damage and kept clean and free from dirt, moss, algae, mold, and more. Your roof can work better for you and last longer. The experts at First Coast Home Pros will assess your roof and let you know the benefits of low pressure roof cleaning. Call (904) 383-7721 or fill out the form for a free estimate or to schedule a service appointment.