How to Keep the Roof Shingles Clean

The roof is the largest and most noticeable part of your house, and it easily defines the overall curb appeal of your home. The same large size also makes the roof susceptible to the elements. Wind, rain and snow may not outright damage the roof, but these issues may cause the shingles to get dirty.

A dirty roofing structure isn’t attractive to look at, but keeping it clean is a simple thing to do. 

What Makes the Shingles Dirty?

Before you start cleaning, you need to find out why your roof shingles are getting dirty in the first place. While there are a lot of factors involved, the most common cause is falling debris – either from trees or carried by the wind. There are many types of debris, but the usual suspects include leaves, sticks, branches and other organic material. These may seem harmless, but they can cause serious problems for your roof if left unattended. 

Leaves generate moisture as they rot, which in turn can negatively affect your roofing system. Sharp debris like sticks and branches, on the other hand, can puncture the roof or scrape off the coating granules that protect the shingles, weakening them and making them more susceptible to weather damage in the process.

Black Stains

Black stains on the roof are due to algae that form due to warm and damp conditions on the roof. These algae feed off the limestone on the shingles, but they don’t actually damage them or the roof at all. Ask your local roofing contractors though, and they would advise you to do something about it since the black stains are unappealing and very easy to spot from the curb.

Cleaning Best Practices

Fortunately, cleaning the roof is relatively easy. For organic debris, you can remove them by hand or with an air blower. You may also use a soft broom, but be mindful of the pressure you exert so that you don’t accidentally remove the roofing granules.

As for black stains, you can use a homemade solution of hot water and soap to gradually remove the dead algae. If you’re planning on using a cleaning solution, you may want to consult your local roofing company first as certain chemicals may outright damage the shingles.

Crown Roofing LTD guarantees quality workmanship in every project. You can count on us to keep your roof clean and always in good condition. Get in touch with us at (604) 370-6288, or fill out our contact form to learn more. Our roofing services are available to homeowners in Vancouver, BC.