Quality of workmanship you can trust
ROOF CLEANING
SOFT WASH ROOF CLEANING & MAINTENANCE
IS ROOF CLEANING REALLY NECESSARY?
There are a few reasons for maintaining your roof :
- Curb Appeal
- HOA Compliance
- Maintaining your homes value
- Insurance Compliance
- Increase the longevity of your roof
- Saving money
ASPHALT ROOFING SYSTEMS
The limestone filler used to manufacture the shingles acts as a sponge for moisture and the algae thrives off the moisture content within limestone.
As the growth continues, destruction to your roof system will gradually occur over time.
This can lead to premature replacement of your roof.
Most roofs last 25 years or more depending on the manufacturer and roof product used.
Preventive maintenance is essential to prevent costly premature roof replacement and your manufacturer's warranty could be voided due to lack of maintenance.
This is what the National Roof Contractors Association says about algae and clearly states the damage caused from excessive algae growth.
"Moss and algae: Moss can grow on moist wood shingles and shakes. Once it grows, moss holds even more moisture to a roof system's surface, causing rot. In addition, moss roots also can work their way into a wood deck and structure. Algae also grows in damp, shaded areas on wood or asphalt shingle roof systems. Besides creating a black-green stain, algae can retain moisture, causing rot and deterioration. Trees and bushes should be trimmed away from homes and buildings to eliminate damp, shaded areas, and gutters should be kept clean to ensure good drainage."
CLAY TILE ROOFING SYSTEMS
Clay tile roofs have a distinctive beauty in the variation of the colors and design. Cleaning the tiles allow the natural beauty of the roof to
be displayed. While clay roofs have an excellent durability they can still be subject to an algae bloom and will embed themselves into the
cement and pores of the tiles. We try to choose the best course for your roof and keeping foot traffic to the absolute minimum .
Why?
The manufacturers recommend only limited foot traffic to minimize tile breakage. This may void your warranty for materials and
installation. Repairs for tile roofs are expensive and should be performed only by a licensed contractor. We have been installing roofs for
almost 30 years and understand the consequences. Our choice is not to interfere with your installers warranty. We want to make your
roof look great and lessen liability for you and us. After all what good is a clean yet, broken roof tile?
Does it happen often?
Much more than most people realize, excessive foot traffic can be caused by walking on the roof with a pressure washing wand or a
surface cleaner. This equipment requires walking the roof in it's entirety.
LARGE OR COMPLEX ROOF SYSTEMS NEED TO BE EVALUATED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.
What effects this has on your energy usage (page 16 paragraph 4) Source: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Roof reflective properties and the temperature variations in regards to the color scheme:
"Based on the above research the color can have a tendency to impact the AC used in hot summer months. If you typically have a
light grey roof that is contaminated by algae spores this may cause an increase to the usage of your AC system" These studies
are conducted by formal and well accredited institutions.
Source: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the Florida Solar Energy Center
WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AND YOUR ROOF?
If your roof is becoming covered with the black
algae the suns rays will not "bounce" off the
roof and entrap the heat.
The heat will then be absorbed into the
building, therefor, causing the AC units to work
longer and harder to keep the temperature set
in the building.
This holds true for most roof cover types.
Reflectance of Roof Materials
| Material | Solar Reflectance (%) | Temperature of Roof over Air Temperature (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| Bright white coating (ceramic, elastomeric) on smooth surface | 80% | 15° |
| White membrane | 70%-80% | 15°-25° |
| White metal | 60%-70% | 25°-36° |
| Bright white coating (ceramic, elastomeric) on rough surface | 60% | 36° |
| Bright aluminum coating | 55% | 51° |
| Premium white shingle | 35% | 60° |
| Generic white shingle | 25% | 70° |
| Light brown/gray shingle | 20% | 75° |
| Dark red tile | 18%-33% | 62°-77° |
| Dark shingle | 8%-19% | 76°-87° |
| Black shingle or materials | 5% | 90° |
Source: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the Florida Solar Energy Center
