Roof Cleaning Services in Cumming GA
Your home is an investment and should be treated as such. Along with the appeal of a visually clean property, regular maintenance can ensure that your expensive investment retains its value. We offer affordable roof cleaning services in Cumming GA, as we strive to lower your maintenance cost.
When you need to put a bucket under a leak, most people know it’s time to redo the roof. In addition to repairing or replacing the outside roofing surface, you may incur mold in the attic, which can cause health problems. If the leaking problem goes unnoticed for a long time, you may have dry rot you may not be aware of. The same goes for visible signs including damage to drywall and flooring.
We specialize in pressure-free, manufacturer-approved roof cleaning. Some cleaning contractors like to use the term “soft wash,” but their process includes the use of a pressure washer. We never use pressure to clean roofs. Our “gentle wash” process produces immediate results that last four to six times longer than pressure washing. We let our genuine customer testimonials, un-manipulated before and after photos, and years of proven success showcase itself when it comes to long-lasting results.
Why should you care about Roof Cleaning Services in Cumming Ga?
Aside from being an eyesore to look at, roof cleaning services for shingles as well as other types of roofs, prevents damage which could lead to water leaks and costly repairs. A typical architectural asphalt shingle roof can last anywhere from 20 to 30 years with 3-tab shingled roofs lasting from 10 to 20 years.
Due to the extreme temperatures we face here in the Southeastern US – Shingle service life can be shortened. This alone could cause your roofs’ lifespan to be shortened as much as 5 – 10 years! That means a new roof with architectural shingles could need to be replaced as soon as 15 – 20 years without roof cleaning.
According to HomeGuide, the average cost for roof replacement is $400 to $500 per square foot. Thankfully, most roofing companies offer annual inspections to help spot issues before they become problems. We at Jay Squared can also help pinpoint issues before they get to the point of premature failure and help clean your roof to prevent getting to that point.
As your homes first line of defense against water intrusion, the main goal of your roof is to keep water out. By allowing buildup of dirt grime and organics, water is allowed to pool and can then seep into your home.
All that is needed for mold to grow are three conditions:
- Oxygen
- A moisture source
- A food source
By allowing dirt to build up on your roofs surface in cracks and crevices, you are setting up the perfect environment for mold spores to attach themselves to your house and start eating! Mold can begin to grow on a surface in as little as 48 hours. As you can see, our roof cleaning services in cumming ga, are not just a cosmetic concern, they can actually save you money in the long run!
Why should roofs be cleaned by Soft washing?
Why should roofs be cleaned by Soft washing?
I use soft washing equipment to apply a chemical mixture to the roof. As always when performing cleaning around exterior surfaces, our first step is to protect plant life around the property. With roof cleaning, this is even more important as the concentration of chemical is stronger than what is needed to clean organics and dirt found on siding or other areas.
By applying the solution with low pressure equipment, we remove the possibility of incurring damage to the roof surface and allow the solution to dwell. With the correct chemical mixture, the solution is allowed to cling to the roof surface and not run off quickly. This allows the solution to soak in and penetrate while giving it ample time to kill the bacteria which is known as Gloeocapsa Magma. We then follow with a gentle rinse which helps flush the concentrated liquid down the gutter spouts and dilute the solution. This further protects plant life. The solution remains in a diluted state on the roof and is washed away further during rainstorms.
My customers notice that the roof will continue to lighten after a rainstorm as the solution is reactivated giving longer lasting results while keeping the bacterial regrowth to a minimum. Once the bacteria turns brown after a roof cleaning, the dead organics will wash off the roof with one or two strong rainfalls.
If you’ve had me perform roof cleaning services at your property, you know I love the saying – “If it’s brown, it will come down!”
Why not use a pressure washer?
Why not use a pressure washer?
Cleaning an asphalt roof with high pressure is not a wise choice as it can destroy your shingles and knock the stone granules from them. Not to mention – it’s downright dangerous to operate with high pressure either on the roof or on a ladder!
Soft washing your roof kills the Gloeocapsa Magma bacteria which causes it to lose its foothold and fall from the roof over time.
A pressure washer also mixes water with the solutions being applied. This will dilute the concentration preventing the strength needed to kill these bacteria.
How does the bacteria get on my roof?
How does the bacteria get on my roof?
The small algae spores that make up this roof bacteria travel indiscriminately throughout the air and even on the backs of wildlife. Like mold, all that is needed to grow is oxygen, moisture and a food source. They tend to adhere to the northern part of a roof as this holds moisture the longest from the morning dew before the sun dries it off.
The bacteria/fungi eat away at the limestone powder found in roof shingles for their food source. For a great explanation on shingle construction refer to this article by Certainteed.
How can the bacteria affect the performance of my roof?
How can the bacteria affect the performance of my roof?
This consumption of the limestone by these organisms causes premature life of your roof by shortening its ability to deflect the suns ultraviolet rays. The bacteria eating away at the lime layer of shingles causes decomposition of the bond holding the shingle mix or “filled coating” together. This decomposition causes the granules to loosen and fall off each season. These granules are meant to block the ultraviolet light as well as provide the ability for color choice to match the building asthetics.
The Gloeocapsa goes dormant during the colder months and continues to grow when spring arrives. The loss of granules, coupled with the black streaks can also cause higher temperatures in the attic space which further degrades the performance of the shingles.
Cleaning the shingles also provides a way to allow for a more complete inspection of your roof. Uncovering issues that could be lurking before they become expensive issues can save a lot of money. By clearing away dirt and debris, it increases the ability for the roof to shed water and prevent pooling on the roof surfaces. By helping your roof to do its job, it diminishes the ability for water to seep into cracks and crevices.
A great resource for roofing replacement costs along with an online calculator is Bill Ragan Roofing. This is a great resource which explains the costs associated with roof repair or replacement which can easily be 10 times what it would cost to simply clean the roof. By extending the life span of your roof, you stand to save money in the long run.