Why it’s important to clean your roof

When the first snowfall hits, you might immediately run to grab that shovel in order to clear the driveway for your day of work. Although this is a necessity, it’s not the only outdoor area of your home you should pay attention to keeping clean.

Regardless of the season, it is important to keep your roof looking fresh and free of debris. Not only does this drastically affect your curb appeal, but it also plays a serious role in regulating your indoor temperature as well as the longevity of your house's structure as well as your roof.

Although most homes have roofs that are built to allow for things to slide off, snow, leaves or other debris can easily collect in these spaces and cause long-lasting problems. So if this isn’t something you've paid attention to as of yet, don’t fret. We’re here to thoroughly cover the topic and go over the reasons why you should keep your roof clean and clear!

Here are the reasons why it’s important to clear your roof

Why should you clean your roof regularly?

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As mentioned, roof cleaning will work to minimize or completely eliminate the possible damage done to your roof by excessive moisture, debris or dirt build-up. Not only does regularly cleaning your roof keep it looking beautiful, but it also extends the lifetime of the roof itself as well as working to avoid serious unnecessary damage. We’re going to go over some of the possible reasons why you might need to clean your roof, and how to tackle these challenges.

Snow, sleet, rain or ice removal on a roof

Specific removal methods must be followed, and this will come down to what is being removed. If it’s snow you’re removing, it is important to remember that 10 to 12 inches of snow is equivalent to 1 inch of water. If there are very heavy snowfalls and no end in sight of the cold as well as consecutive days of similar weather, it is important to remove this excess snow before your roof's at serious risk.

To remove the snow, sleet or ice from your roof, grab a low-cost roof rake and safely work to remove any excess of these substances. Make sure to rake the snow, sleet and ice off of your roof before you begin shovelling your driveway, as this will only lead to further problems. Regularly cleaning out your gutters is another excellent way to avoid snow or ice buildup. Also, make sure to remember to clear off the roofs of surrounding structures, including garages, sheds and otherwise. 

Dirt and debris

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Although leaves, sticks, dirt and various debris might collect on your roof, it goes well beyond just these elements. Natural rainfall and snow can wash away some of the dirt. However, if you notice dark or green spots remaining on your roof, these could be caused by other natural elements that include: algae, fungus or moss.

If you spot algae, it will appear like a black-fungus substance or a blue-green colour. If your roof has parts that are shaded, many of these substances will grow in these areas. Algae lead to various types of mould growth and can quickly spread to other parts of your roof as well as to your neighbours'. Lichens are another common issue that are essentially a combination of algae and fungus. Unfortunately, they are quite tough to remove from the roof and can easily reappear as a result of humidity or rain. Unlike algae and lichens, moss is another common roof growth. Moss requires a lot of moisture to survive and therefore any areas where plenty of water collects will allow this plant to breed. Like algae, moss can easily spread through your neighbourhood to other roofs.

If you notice any signs of algae, lichen or moss, it needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. If these substances go unnoticed, they can extensively damage your roof and lead to deterioration, rot as well as structural issues. Moss tends to grow directly between the slots of shingles, this leads to wood rot as well as potential leaks. Leaks can lead to mould growth, and mould growth is very dangerous for yourself and your family's health.

Another area to look out for is the roof shingles, as these organisms have the ability to eat away at your shingles. Lastly, roofs with an excess amount of algae growth can trap heat within the structure, which can greatly reduce the lifespan of the roof by, essentially, baking it.