Roof cleaning is a big part of regular home maintenance — especially if you live in Portland. Homeowners in the Pacific Northwest will be the first to tell you that roof maintenance and regular cleaning is a necessity if you live in this region. Our experts at Tom Leach Roofing spend time with homeowners every day that request roof cleaning or repairs due to the humid, rainy, and often unpredictable weather we receive. Throughout our years of experience with roof cleaning in Portland, we have encountered everything from minor roof repairs to full-blown replacements due to rainy and unstable weather conditions.
To help you stay ahead of the climate, we’ve compiled this handy guide that details the importance of roof cleaning and maintenance. Don’t get caught off guard this season! Instead, follow the tips and advice described below to help keep your roof looking fresh and beautiful all year long.
The Importance of Roof Cleaning in Portland
Homeowners in Portland and other areas of Oregon need to pay special attention to the state of their roofs year-round. Most families will find that roof cleanings are required at least twice a year. Others may find that as many as three or four thorough cleanings per year may be necessary. Depending on where you live, as well as the type of trees that surround your home, you may find yourself scheduling roof cleanings at least once a season. Roof cleaning takes care of several problems, including mold and algae build-up, as well as clogged gutters and downspouts.
Prevent Mold Build-up
Mold prevention is one of the main reasons you want to receive roof cleanings as often as necessary. In Portland, frequent rain and humidity levels make roofs a breeding ground for mold growth. Our roofers at Tom Leach Roofing use several techniques to wash away mold and help prevent it from growing back. Mold can cause severe damage to your roof if it isn’t cleared away properly.
Prevent Roof Leaks
Dirt and grime, as well as mold and algae build-up, can cause damage to your roof that can eventually lead to roof leaks. Not only does a dirty roof look unsightly, but it can also lead to the decay or rotting of your roof materials, resulting in leaks. To best protect your roof structure and the materials it is made of, cleaning is an essential home care task you should be careful not to neglect.
Cost Should Be the Least of Your Concerns
On average, roof cleaning services range anywhere from about $200 to $800, depending on the size of your roof and other factors. This is a small price to pay, considering the financial consequences of roof neglect. Without annual roof cleaning, you could end up paying two to three times as much for roof repairs.
What Roof Cleaning Involves
Debris Removal
Heavy winds will inevitably blow leaves, twigs, dirt, and other debris onto your roof. It is essential to have any debris removed as often as necessary. In the Portland area, it can be nearly impossible to avoid debris from gathering on your roof due to heavy winds and storms. Our contractors at Tom Leach Roofing have a variety of techniques that they use to remove debris from all different types of roofs safely and effectively. A combination of sweeping, air blowing, and low-pressure rinsing are some of the approaches we take to help remove debris without causing any damage to your roof structure or shingles.
Moss Removal
Moss build-up is one of the most common reasons why homeowners request professional roof cleaning services in Portland. Our experts use a series of cleaning and moss prevention treatments to clear away moss and decrease the chances of it returning in the future.
Algae Clearing
While algae accumulation is less common compared to moss, it can often accompany moss build-up, especially around downspouts. Unfortunately, algae build-up may not always be visible to homeowners at first. You may not realize you have an algae problem until algae growth becomes visible and is growing invasively on certain parts of your roof. Not only is the sight of algae off-putting, but it can also cause shingle damage.
Algae is a living organism that feeds off of your shingles — mainly the limestone filler embedded into many shingles. If you neglect to take care of algae, years may be stripped from the life of your roof, and you may end up with noticeable roof deterioration that will be expensive to replace.
Additionally, if algae growth on your roof is extreme enough, it may diminish your home’s energy efficiency. Shingles are more than just decorative — they help block out UV rays and keep your AC costs low. If algae growth becomes a problem, you will end up with expensive repair bills to take care of, as well as an increased monthly utility bill.
Our roof cleaners at Tom Leach know how important proper algae removal is. We treat the entirety of your roof for algae build-up, even if it is only visible in certain spots. Since algae can appear invisible, we use a series of preventative treatments and cleaners to ensure the problem is taken care of before it becomes a source of concern.
Gutter Cleaning
If you own a home in Portland, you’ve likely already experienced how quickly your gutters can become clogged with leaves, twigs, and debris after even just one, eccentric storm. Gutter cleaning in Portland is a necessity several times a year for most homeowners. At Tom Leach Roofing, gutter cleaning is a common request we receive from our customers.
Keeping your gutters clean may be a do-it-yourself project, especially if you have trees surrounding your home that consistently deposit leaves and branches into your gutters. However, hiring a professional gutter cleaning service a few times a year may be necessary to ensure that your gutters are in good shape and that a thorough cleaning is performed.
Pressure Washing and Chemical Cleaning
Tom Leach Roofing uses a variety of methods to clear roofs of mold, algae, dirt, and debris. Two of the most common methods we use are pressure washing and chemical cleaning. We have found that a combination of these two techniques is helpful to clear away build-up that can damage your roof and shingles.
Pressure washing is excellent for clearing away leaves, dirt, and grime on your roof fast. This method uses highly pressurized water, which is sprayed directly onto your roof. Pressure washing is most effective for metal and concrete roofs. For certain roof shingles, pressure washing may be too intense and could damage your roof.
Chemical cleaning is the treatment used after pressure washing has been performed. You may have also heard this process referred to as ‘soft washing.’ In this process, chemicals are used to remove any algae or mold that may still be attached to your roof. Chemical cleaning may also involve preventative washes that work to eliminate regrowth of mold and algae.
With any chemical treatment, finding the right balance of products is essential. At Tom Leach Roofing, our experts are trained to find a balance of the right chemicals so that your roof is cleaned, but runoff will not cause harm to your landscape or other parts of your home. This is why roof cleanings should always be trusted to an expert that knows what they are doing. Without the right knowledge and experience, a poorly mixed chemical treatment could end up causing more harm than good.
Hire a Professional Roof Cleaning Service in Portland
Roof cleaning is essential for all homeowners. If you live in Portland or other areas of the Pacific Northwest, you will likely find yourself cleaning your roof more often than not. If you are up for the task and have the right tools in hand, you may be able to perform roof cleaning on your own. However, there is no harm in hiring a professional service like Tom Leach Roofing to help you.
If you have never cleaned your roof on your own, have a particular angular or steep roof, or are physically unable to clean your roof, don’t hesitate to hire a professional roof cleaning service. Relying on a professional service is particularly useful, even if you are confident you can clean your roof yourself. Having a professional roofer inspect and clean your roof is the best way to become aware of any problems you may be unable to detect. A trained eye will be able to spot algae growth, hidden areas of mold build-up, and other problems you may not recognize right away.
If you need a professional roof cleaning in Portland, Oregon, Tom Leach Roofing is here to help. Our roofers have helped residents in and around Portland clear their roofs and keep them looking spectacular and mold-free all year long. We look forward to helping you with all of your roof cleaning needs this season and for years to come!
Give us a call now at 503-238-0303 for a free estimate!