DIY Roof Washing: How to Clean Your Roof

Your roof goes through a lot of wear and tear throughout the year. The sun beats down on it in the summer, rain pelts it during the spring, and snow and ice accumulate on it in the winter. It’s no wonder roof washing is a good idea. Although you may not have thought about cleaning your own roof before, it can actually be a DIY job homeowners can handle themselves. Continue reading for steps to help you complete this project and ensure your roof stays in good shape.

How to Plan Your Roof Washing

Whether you are an experienced DIYer or brand new to home projects, cleaning your own roof is a simple way to maintain the look of your home and contribute to the longevity of your roof. If you are planning to clean your roof yourself, here’s everything you need to know about DIY roof cleaning.

Pick the Right Day 

Roof washing is not just something you should do on the fly. Make sure you choose the best day for the job based on weather.

Take Safety Precautions 

Before getting started, it’s important to set the stage for a safe experience. Be sure to wear shoes that aren’t slippery to ensure you don’t fall. Also, if your roof is slanted, you can further protect yourself from a fall by tying yourself to the chimney with safety rope to help you stay secure. Use safety goggles so debris doesn’t get in your eyes as you work. Wear thick gloves so cleaning materials don’t get on your hands. 

Remove Debris 

You can remove debris from your roof with a broom or leaf blower before you start roof washing. Make sure your shrubs are covered so falling debris doesn’t cause damage to them.

Remove Moss and Algae 

If there are areas on your roof that have moss or algae, you can use a garden hose to spray it off. If spraying doesn’t work, scrub the stubborn spots with a soft-bristle brush. 

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Get the Right Cleaning Materials 

Using soap and water isn’t going to be enough to get the job done. However, you also don’t want to use harsh chemicals that can damage the materials of the roof, as well as gutters and plants surrounding your home. Instead, you may want to use sodium hypochlorite or sodium hydroxide products. However, before choosing any cleaner, research which ones are safe for your specific roof type. When you find the right cleaning materials, dilute and mix them based on the manufacturer’s instructions and then put them into a garden sprayer.

Apply Cleaners to the Roof 

Spray the cleaning solution on your roof until the entire surface has been saturated and there is runoff. If some areas dry before you’re done, respray them.

Rinse the Roof 

When you have finished putting the cleaning solution on the entire roof, use your garden hose to rinse it off. Make sure to do a thorough job so no cleaner is left behind, because it may cause discoloration and other damage.

Hire An Expert Roof Contractor

If you don’t have time to do the roof washing yourself, Modernize can help you find an experienced contractor to do the job for you—as well as detect and repair any problems a DIYer may not be aware of. We can even help you choose the right contractor with our Contractor Checklist. 

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