The Forgotten Seasonal Chore

UPDATE: We no longer offer roof cleaning as one of our services.

As Labor Day approaches and fun Indiana Summer activities begin to draw to a close, many residents suddenly remember an easily overlooked chore: roof cleaning. It makes perfect sense that tending to a beautiful garden or taking weekend trips to the lake can give people few reasons to inspect their roof (or even glance at it). The truth is that the best opportunities for effective roof cleaning are the days when the weather is above 50 degrees. Those living in Warsaw or in the surrounding areas know that sometimes the difference between autumn and winter can happen almost instantly, so it’s important to start thinking about scheduling roof cleaning now. Besides, no one wants mold, mildew or black streaks to derail the attention from great seasonal outdoor decorations.

Avoid These Mistakes

There is no question that roof cleaning can be a dangerous job not only for homeowners but for the livelihood of the roof itself. Black and green mold, moss and black streaks can appear intimidating causing people to seek harsh chemicals to combat these stubborn eyesores. The problem is that formulas containing bleach and other acids can cause significant damage to the shingles, instead of cleansing them.

Alternatively, homeowners sometimes choose to pressure wash their roof shingles. Theres are two reasons why this is a problematic approach. First, in doing so people compromise their safety by creating a slick surface, increasing the likelihood of an accident. Secondly, pressure washing removes some of the granular coating from asphalt shingles. While this may not sound like much, unfortunately this can reduce the life of the shingles by almost 50 percent. This coating not only protects against UV rays, but also serves as a fire retardant. A lighter pressure wash setting would be too weak to tackle stubborn mold and the higher setting can damage the shingles, making this cleaning method incapable of producing a good outcome.

Our Solution

We at Matthews Painting recommend our practiced and perfected shingle cleaning system. It’s a “no wash, no scrub” system that involves the use of a shingle cleaning solution and application that is void of harsh chemicals capable of cleaning a variety of different roofing surfaces. Most importantly, no pressure washers or scrub brushes are required for the surface safe solution to do the job.

Overall, homeowner safety is essential. We understand that many people are comfortable on rooftops cleaning gutters or even shingling. However, cleaning slick molds and surface areas in tough spots can be tricky. We’ve had years of practice, so don’t hesitate to contact us today for more information or some quick tips.