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Many may underestimate the importance of getting the roof of their house cleaned primarily because what’s out of sight is usually out of mind. Since it’s hard to notice any changes with your roof, you probably don’t see when it’s dirty, or microorganisms are growing on it. But what you don’t see can hurt you in the long run. And if your home is located in a moisture-rich area that rarely gets any sun, microorganisms could be secretly sabotaging your shingles. So, how often should you get roof pressure washing in Largo? Read on to learn more about it.
It may seem that a roof wouldn’t get dirty. After all, it is up high, the wind usually blowing leaves and other items off it. The rain is washing the dirt away. Shouldn’t the roof be clean? Unfortunately, rain may be the reason why roofs get “dirty.” The dirt that accumulates on roofs is mostly living organisms such as moss, lichen, or black algae.
Moss is a green fuzzy plant that takes root on shingles, causing them to curl and eventually blow off. Lichen, a white crusty microorganism, is usually present whenever moss is present. Together they both can wreak havoc on roofs. Another culprit, black algae, is a tricky microorganism. It looks like a sheet of dirt on a roof or a big stain. In fact, it is a living organism that is eating away at your shingles. It is bad to have moss growing on your roof or any of these other microorganisms.
Having moss, lichen, or black algae on your roof could spell big trouble in the long run if it’s left unchecked. It is essential to have a roof cleaning company eliminate these items by cleaning them off as soon as possible. However, it would be even better to establish regular annual cleanings to prevent it in the first place. Since you can’t see every angle of your roof from ground level, these items may be growing on the part of your roof that you can’t see. As a result, your roof could experience an overgrowth of these microorganisms in one area, and that small section could lead to leaks or even major roof repair or replacement.
Instead of waiting until you see such items on your roof, it is a good idea to have a roof cleaning company clean your roof annually. This will prevent these problems, and a skilled roof cleaner may even alert you to other issues that you will need to have inspected by a roofing contractor.
Another critical reason to have your roof cleaned is just as equally important as cleaning your roof shingles. While dirty roofs can lead to leaks and roof rot, dirty gutters can cause a host of serious problems with your home. One major problem it can cause is problems with the foundation. The purpose of gutters is to capture water and move it safely away from the house through downspouts. However, if leaves, twigs, dirt, and other grime fill the gutters, this can cause water to collect around the base of the home. Over the long term, this can lead to foundation issues including flooding of the basement or crawl space.
An additional problem with clogged gutters is that they may become a habitat for all kinds of pests, including carpenter ants, termites, mice, and other rodents. Not only are these pests destructive to your home, but they can also become a nuisance if they infest your house, creating another expensive problem that will need solving. One of the most costly problems of all that dirty gutters can cause is a gutter replacement. If water collects in clogged gutters, this could make the gutters sag under the weight of the water. When this water turns to ice in the winter, this will really make the gutters heavy and could potentially bend them or knock them off your house.
To minimize the possibility of the roof gutters becoming infested with pests and to prevent damage to the home’s foundation or gutters themselves, they need to be cleaned at least once a year along with the roof shingles. Getting your roof cleaned annually will extend the lifetime of the roof shingles. If you have asphalt shingles, life expectancy is up to 20 years. For tile roofs, shingles may last up to 50 years. Metal and slate roofs can last up to 100 years. So keeping them cleaned annually could extend the life by ten to twenty years. But most importantly, it will prevent premature roof replacement.
Are you ready to pressure wash your roof in Largo? The experts at Largo Pressure Washing Services can help. Contact them today for a FREE quote on roof pressure washing in Largo so that you can keep your roof in pristine condition.
