Roof Cleaning Barrowby provides a professional roof cleaning service for residential and commercial properties in Barrowby and surrounding areas in Lincolnshire. Having your roof cleaned can be a relatively speedy way to improve the appearance of your home, by removing moss, lichen, dirt and anything else that has built up there.

As roofs become older and get more porous, many become affected by algae, moss and dirt. Keeping the roof clean and without moss is often quite difficult for the majority of homeowners and may become a continual source of annoyance.

Wouldn’t it be great to have your roof look new again?

Why should I have it cleaned?

Large amounts of build-up of dirt, moss on roof tiles and other organic growth could well cause big problems with the roof and the life-span of the tiles will eventually be compromised too. If you neglect your roof, you’ll find these plants will quickly grow uncontrollably with their roots finding their way into weak spots in the roof tiles, gradually widening them throughout time until cracks emerge. Like all living organisms they need water to live, and once it has rained, they’ll behave like a sponge retaining as much water as possible. As it works its way in the cracks into your roof it could cause serious and costly damage to the rafters and joists. Also you could well find moss that has dislodged and rolled down the roof ending up in your gutter which in time can lead to overflowing rainwater from your gutter which damages and soaks into your fascia boards. Really then, having a roof cleaned is a necessary service for a number of reasons.

For many though cleaning their roof is entirely an aesthetic preference and we can’t blame you for that! Roofs can become very unsightly because of organic growths like moss and lichen, and at that point a roof cleaning company is vital. Roofs are also often discoloured and stained by a prevalent bacterium called gloeocapsa magma affecting the familiar appearance of your otherwise charming dwelling. Of course, this bacteria growth is completely normal nonetheless it isn’t attractive to see and after a while it can damage your roof. The difference between a clean roof and one that needs a clean can be night and day. After years of watching your roof get more and more dirty wouldn’t it be great to see it looking like brand new again?

The next question is, “Is this a easy DIY job that I should have a go at doing myself?” Let’s look at some evidence to propose what the best possible solution is here.

Couldn’t I just do this myself?

The most common reason why a lot of people don’t clean their own roof is the fact that it involves working at a height where a lot of us wouldn’t feel comfortable or safe. At these heights any sort of fall can lead to a very serious wound.

Plus, lots of people would expect roof cleaning involves pressure washing but it doesn’t have to and here are some reasons why preferably a roof shouldn’t be pressure washed. High pressure cleaning may clear away moss from the roof, but the high powered jets of water may damage the tiles or other roof fittings, risk flooding any loft spaces and it is highly likely that the moss will quickly grow back!

Power washing also affects the longevity of the tiles which could mean more issues in the future with many tile manufacturing companies also cautioning people against this manner of roof cleaning.
Pressure washing a roof is the least ideal option as this can often dislodge or break weak tiles from the pressure of the jet washer but could also harm your roof when walking on the tiles and disrupting the tiles.

Many cow-boy tradespeople who attempt this kind of work, claim it is easy money and that it doesn’t require much skill. How true is that? A service such as this requires a degree of skill and attention that we can provide. Using proper roof access equipment, the correct tools and our experience and know-how we can deliver a roof cleaning service that is worthwhile without you having to put yourself in unnecessary danger.

What is the best way to clean my roof?

It is best to have your roof cleaning done by a specialised cleaning company. One of the most gentle yet most effective ways to clear away roof moss and clean your roof is by using the scraping method. By using a 9″ scraper on a dry day will effortlessly remove any moss on your roof and there won’t be any scratch marks on the tiles from doing so.

Don’t forget – using this approach the tiles are not damaged and there is no flood risk, unlike other manners of roof cleaning such as high-powered pressure washing.

Another effective method is the use of chemicals. Applying a fungicide/moss killer once the moss has been scraped off will absorb into the tile and most importantly into the gaps in the tiles targeting any tiny moss spores, lichen and any other organic growth on the tiles. This step can take some time after the excess moss has initially been dislodged but again there is no damage to the surface of the tile and by adding an application of specific chemicals this will stop the moss from growing back for many years making this the best method.

How is it done?

We will investigate the roof carefully before starting any work, to determine the best cleaning method to use depending on your roof. Then we will consider what’s growing there and the how best to clear out the growth. We can then start to work on eradicating your roof of organic colonising growths by getting deep into the moss root system and eliminating the spores. You’ll notice an immediate improvement and continued change as time passes.

Some factors to consider.

We’ve already hinted at some other elements that can affect a roof cleaning service. So, let’s have a quick look at these.

• Size of house and the area of the roof.
• The level of vegetation that is growing on the roof.
• The type of roof – e.g. with a thatched roof, no water is involved.
• How accessible is the roof?
• Height of the roof.

Keeping everything we have just mentioned in mind, it is not worth risking serious damage to you or dis-repair to your house by attempting a DIY roof clean. Fill in the free quote form or give us a call for your free quote, and leave it to the pros.