Roof Repair and Roof Cleaning Should Go Hand in Hand

Hurricane Irma left so many people in the SWFL area needing new roofs. Although the event was two seasons ago, there are still people who have blue tarps on their roofs as they wait for their insurance company to approve of the repair. But, even worse than those blue tarps are the houses who have had part of their roof repaired, but not gotten the entire roof washed after the repair. This leaves a very bright shiny new area of tiles, which makes the dirty tiles even more obvious. Having us come in to BioWash the entire roof is a good practice for many reasons, one of which is to have your entire roof look great. But there are other reasons which will extend the life of the whole roof. The condition of your roof has everything to do with its lifespan, so giving it the attention it needs saves you money in the long run. Let’s talk about some reasons to get your roof cleaned, and some different types of roof materials and their needs.

1. First of all, let’s talk about those dirty roof areas. Many people make the mistake of thinking the dark stains on their roof tiles is just dirt or exhaust fume soot on their roof. It’s not just dirt though, most often it’s algae, lichens and moss which feed off the organic material in your shingles and damage your roof! You do not want to pressure wash it though, because pressure washing destroys the delicate surface of asphalt composite shingles by removing the sandy gravel finish and exposing the tar paper underneath. With the high heat we have here in Florida, this makes the paper dry and brittle, which makes more mildew growth occur. You also don’t want to pressure wash a tile roof because it also erodes the rough finish on them which will require more frequent cleanings. Our BioWash kills these organisms without damaging your roof.
2. When it comes to algae, moss and lichens, it cannot be underestimated how much damage they can cause to your roof. Because they can eat through your shingles, they cause roof rot and more moisture to get into cracks. They can also cause higher electric bills believe it or not. Algae, moss and lichens don’t reflect sunlight, and this causes your shingles to absorb the heat instead, increasing the heat in your attic and raising your air conditioner needs, which increases costs. Our BioWash solution keeps on working even after we’ve gone. It stays on the roof tiles and is reactivated every time it rains, which keeps your roof clean and continues to kill new growth!
3. We mentioned that many people are still looking to get their roofs repaired due to insurance issues. When it comes to insurance, maintenance can go a long way toward saving you money. Many insurance companies require that homeowner maintain a clean roof as part of house maintenance in general. Maintenance helps to sustain the longevity of your roof.
4. Moss, mold and algae all retain moisture against your roof. This excess moisture can soften and tear the paper under roof tiles and shingles which leads to water leaks and mold inside your home. Our BioWash rids your roof of these moisture-retaining organisms allowing your roof to dry more quickly after each storm, which prevents more algae and mold growth in the future. 

Let’s take a peek at this situation from a new angle, because having your roof cleaned on a regular basis, also allows us to see any damage you may have sustained to your roof over time, which can mean smaller repair and replacement bills in the future. 
By cleaning your roof, it can reveal areas of it where the tile is worn out or damaged, so they can be replaced if needed. When we are up there, we can see if there are tiles that are dried out and crumbling, or buckled and ready to come loose! We can see where there are soft spots along the surface, or discoloration that indicates water damage to the interior studs and joists. Once you see the areas of damage, you can have them repaired quickly, before it becomes a leak that can damage the interior of your house.
Our BioWash service is an industry first, and we hope you’ll call us today to clean your roof with this environmentally and roof friendly product. If you’re interested in having the black stains on your roof removed safely and with  long-lasting results, give us a call at Under Pressure at 239-218-5085.

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