How To Make Your Roof Last With Proper Cleaning

Searching the Internet, one can find an array of articles, products and claims as to what chemical to use and the proper method of roof cleaning. At Blue Ridge Roof Cleaning of Virginia, we took the time to research and find the best method to offer our customers the safest cleaning without compromising the integrity of the asphalt roof. 

When looking for the right company to clean your roof, be especially aware of the term, "low pressure". 

Commercial pressure washers can have pressures between 3500 - 4500 psi. They can only be turned down so far in order to work properly. Changing the orifice size of the tips will also reduce the pressure coming from those amazing machines. When a roof cleaning company that chooses to use a pressure washer to clean asphalt shingles states low pressure, it could be 800 psi when you think of the maximum pressure they could get with their pressure washer. Some of these companies use a surface cleaner to clean asphalt shingles, rolling it up and down your roof from the peak. A surface cleaner is designed to clean concrete with the two rotating tips about two inches from the surface. Granted, when cleaning concrete, the pressure is much higher than what might be used on an asphalt roof but think about that "low" pressure, just a few inches from those shingles. How many granules are being dislodged and removed from the surface of the shingles? How many years of life has been taken away from your roof with the claim of "low" pressure? 

At Blue Ridge Roof Cleaning of Virginia we actually use low pressure! We also do the larger majority of our roof cleaning from the gutter line. Our custom built machine is set at at 80 psi at the pump. We use a series of different tips from a solid stream to a 40 degree fan spray. When our cleaning agents are sprayed on your roof, they are applied at less pressure than a heavy down pour, not much more than using a garden hose. We choose to clean roofs as outlined by the Asphalt Roof Manufacturers Association as well as asphalt roof manufactures. All state, "do not use a pressure washer", "do not brush or broom as this will dislodge the granules". Our primary goal is to clean the algae, lichen and moss from your roof without disrupting the the granules that give your shingles their protection. Using ladder stabilizers, we take extra care and never place out ladders on your gutters.

Use this link for the wrong way to clean a roof. Improper roof cleaning.

Use this link for the proper way to clean a roof. Proper roof cleaning.

Low Pressure Roof Cleaning Charlottesville, VA

Save Your Roof

Last year Blue Ridge Roof Cleaning cleaned 110 roofs, not to mention decks, siding, patios and sidewalks. The national average is that 50% of the roofs being replaced only need to be cleaned. Fortunately, our customers roofs didn't end up prematurely in the landfill and we saved them on average, $10,000.00 per home. One hundred-ten customers a total average savings more than one million dollars! Do the math... Roof cleaning is 4 - 6% the cost of a new roof. Algae, lichen and moss will damage and shorten the life of asphalt and cedar shingles. The roof over your head is the single most important and expensive part of your home or business. The roof will last many years if kept free of organisms set to eat away your protection from the environment.
Removing algae, moss and lichen from roof coverings. Wash siding, clean and refinish decks and fencing; wood, composite or vinyl. Install gutter filters with a 25 year manufacture warranty. We also clean driveways, sidewalks and patios.

Agnie's List Article

Blue Ridge Roof Cleaning of Virginia is a proud member of Angie's List with an A rating.

This article was published on their site.

Date Published: Feb 25 2013

Submitted by Brett Thompson of Blue Ridge Roof Cleaning of Virginia

For some of us, the black streaks or stains we see on asphalt shingles is something relatively new. When we were younger we didn't see this eye sore, waiting to make our home look unsightly, inviting more fungi and plant matter to attach itself to the shingles and cause damage if left alone. These black streaks are called gloeocapsa magma, or GM, more commonly called mold or fungus. This cyanobacteria is a bacteria that get their strength to survive through photosynthesis and the limestone filler found in the composition of shingles.

In the past, shingles were constructed using felt and asphalt. Now that shingle composition has changed to mostly fiberglass and limestone, the GM blue-green algae thrives, using the limestone as their source of food. Why is it black and only found on the north- and east-facing sides of the roof? GM has the ability to form an outer coating, protecting it from UV rays. When there is no light or low light, GM has a blue-green color. GM’s other self-protective factor is that it enjoys the cooler, shady areas of the roof where moisture is usually present.

There is very little information as to the damage GM in itself will cause to roofing materials. Some state it is only an aesthetic problem while others state it causes damage. Both The American Roof Manufactures Association (ARMA) and Canadian Asphalt Shingle Manufacturers Association (CASMA) state that GM is only an aesthetic issue, giving a home poor curb appeal. One thing is certain, however, roofs with GM can attract other life forms that do cause damage.

When algae and fungus get together, they form something new, lichen. Lichen is a photosynthetic fungus that has roots that wrap around the granules, feeding on the nutrients of the GM and the filler in the shingles.  Once on the roof, lichen cannot easily be removed. Even if it dries out, it can come back to life when rain or moisture appears. Scrubbing or power washing the lichen will only do more damage. Another organism growing on your roof is moss, which is a plant, not a fungus or algae. Moss aides in shortening the life span of your roof because it retains moisture and in cold climates can freeze, causing damage to the shingle and granules.

When you’re trying to decide whether to clean your roof or have a professional perform the cleaning, keep a few things in mind. Roof cleaning is not a DIY project. Some homeowners might want to tackle this project but without proper training and equipment, the end result could be a disaster.
ARMA, CASMA and the asphalt roof manufacturers state that shingles should not be cleaned using a high-pressure washing system. Professional roof cleaners have special equipment and most will clean the roof in the same manner as suggested by roof manufacturers: a low-pressure chemical treatment. A roof cleaning can remove black streaks or other discoloration for a fraction of the cost of replacement.

How Can I Sell My Home Faster?

 

BlueRidgeExteriorCleaning.com

                       540-949-6277     434-466-1324

There are many articles and tips written for people selling their homes and commercial properties. We are always reminded to do the same things that have been suggested for many years.

• Get a fresh coat of paint.
• Mow the lawn.
• Find the little things to fix.
• Do whatever you can to make it homey.
• The house needs to look spacious and open.
• Keep things neutral during the open house.
• Clean up the closets.

Now, lets look at some things that can be done that will make your home "sparkle"!

• Clean the roof that has algae "black streaks", lichen and moss.
• Clean the sidewalks, patios and driveway.
• Clean the deck that is discolored and growing algae.
• Clean the vinyl siding & metal work. Some areas have algae growth and the metal work is covered with dirt and mold spores.
• Clean the exterior of the gutters.

All of the exterior cleaning Blue Ridge Roof Cleaning offers can add thousands to your sales price and keep the house from sitting on the market. When a potential buyer sees your home, clean and looking better than the previous homes they saw, it will make their decision easier. They just might be buying the best looking home on the street!  

WHICH HOME WOULD YOU BUY?

 

  

Protecting your roof

Over the past few years, people have noticed "black streaks" on their roofs. Some of the "reasons" people think their roofs are changing from the original color to back are varied. Just a few of them are: the asphalt is showing through due to the granules falling off, jet plane exhaust, the trees are dropping sap which is attracts and holds the dirt and the roof is old and needs to be replaced.

Your roof is the single most expensive maintenance item on your home and also the most important as one small leak can cause thousands in damage. Just as you take care of other areas of your home, a neglected roof can be a big problem years down the road.

Without knowing what is actually on your roof, how does one go about finding the answer? How many know to search an unknown term, Roof Cleaning? As with so many things we have seen in our lifetimes, it can take some time for the word to get around that a roof can be safely cleaned if the right process is followed. A low pressure cleaning process set forth by the Asphalt Roof Manufactures Association and the roof manufactures themselves.

Those black streaks on your roof are blue-green algae called Gloeocapsa Magma. It is not mold as some people call it. It is an airborne algae that likes a number of things it finds on your roof. The algae thrives on the limestone filler that has been put in the shingles for years, dew/moister and shade (this is why you will find it on the north and east facing sides of your home). Algae alone is only an eye sore and does little to no damage. Once there, the algae attracts lichen and moss. This is where the damage starts. Lichen and moss hold moister which is not what your roof needs. They have a root structure that wraps around all of those ceramic granules on your shingles and if power washed or brushed off will take the granules with them. Proper roof cleaning will remove the black streaks, lichen and moss without any damage to your shingles. Whatever you do, whoever you choose, DO NOT allow anyone to use a PRESSURE WASHER on your asphalt shingles. Even at a low setting, a pressure washer can remove many years of life off your shingles.

Roof cleaning is affordable and with our economic situation, it should be considered before you have a perfectly good roof replace only because the shingles have black streaks. For about 4 - 5% of the total replacement cost of a new roof, you can have a clean roof that will last for many more years, saving money and keeping it out of the landfill. A clean roof today will keep the roofers away!

Call Blue Ridge Roof Cleaning of Virginia at 434-466-1324 or 540-949-6277 for an evaluation of your roof. As our slogan states, "We clean more than roofs". We offer discounts for added services as well as discounts for neighborhoods and of course, senior citizens and our military.

A busy year in 2012

Blue Ridge Roof Cleaning of Virginia has has a busy year in 2012. We have helped our customers save their roofs with roof cleaning, saving them thousands of dollars and giving their roofs many more years of productivity. Though roof cleaning is our main business and not a sideline, we also clean many other areas of the exterior of the homes we service. trying to help our customers with a "package deal" we clean their siding, interior and exterior of their gutters, sidewalks and patios. Getting rid of the endless by annual gutter cleaning we install affordable gutter filters with a 25 year manufacture warranty. We also offer deck and siding restoration by properly stripping all the old finish off and re-staining with a quality stain/sealer, giving the wood many more years of performance.