Roofs are basically horizontal surfaces covering a property. The fact that they can take up a large area means that sophisticated pressure washing services for roofs will be required in order to ensure that the cleaning services are efficient and fast. Many professional roof cleaners will recommend the use of a Flat Surface Cleaner for this kind of task.
However, you can also consider the twenty inch or twenty-four-inch pressure washers for all your pressure washing roofs tasks. These are units that can be used to clean all types of South Florida roofs. Building roofs can pose a number of challenges when you are attempting to clean them, hence the need to ensure that you are armed with the right equipment.
Fungus is one of the more severe roofing enemies. This is because they generally feed on nutrient and moisture. This, therefore, means that if your home is surrounded by a pool, lake, or trees, the fungus will have everything they need to spread and grow rapidly. It, therefore, becomes very easy for them to destroy your roof, thereby lowering the value of your property.
A roof that has been fully covered by fungus tends to absorb a lot of heat during the day due to its pigmentation. When this heat is absorbed from the atmosphere, it is relayed through your home’s ceiling and into the other rooms available in your home. The end result is that the entire residence will become hot and may, in turn, contribute to higher power bills.
It is also important to keep in mind that it is not safe for your children to live in such close proximity to fungus. Doing so can lead to the development of health problems and other allergies. There are instances where the fungus can actually cause additional problems by spreading through the splits available in your house.
Any experienced cleaning south Florida roofs service providers will inform you that wooden shakes, old stone, and asphalt shingles are very common in this area. Other common roofing items include finished and unfinished mansards, asphalt, metal, wooden shakes, barrel, and cement tiles.
Given the high temperatures that are prevalent in this area round the year, it is important to ensure that the roofs are cleaned on a regular basis. As a homeowner, it is important to be cautious about the cleaning agents that are used to clean your house. Some cleaners will resort to using chlorine or bleach when removing the fungus and the mold.
But as much as the two are effective in the removal of dirt, they tend to pose a challenge when it comes to cleaning other kinds of surfaces. For instance, chlorine can brighten brick surfaces leading to the development of different color shades. It can also kill any plants that may be near the areas that are currently being cleaned.
Pressure Washing Services for Roofs: Selecting A Pressure Washer
When you are looking for a good pressure washer, you need to understand that more is not always a good option. A pressure washer that has too much power will damage the area being cleaned. You also have to be careful as to not end up with a machine that is under-powered, or one that will not last for long without breaking down.
Homeowners need to consider this guide when selecting the right company for the job:
1. Start by gaining a good understanding of how you will use this pressure washing company. Some of the most popular uses include homes, patios, and cars.
2. Another factor to consider is how their pressure washer for roofs will be powered. There are various variations, some of the most common being propane, hydraulic, diesel, electricity and gas. If the equipment will be used in a closed environment or where noise will be a major issue, it will be best to go with an electrically powered pressure washer.
3. Finally, you will need to see if they use a cold or hot water unit. Depending on how it will be used, you may need to only purchase a cold water unit. But if you will mainly be dealing with areas filled with oil and grease, then a hot water unit will be the best buy for you.
When cleaning south Florida roofs, you will also need to consider other additional factors such as work (horsepower), volume (GPM), and pressure (PSI). It is common for many people to assume that a pressure washer uses copious amounts of water. But this statement cannot be very far from the truth.
1. Pressure (PSI)
The official unit for pressure is PSI. This is what determines the total amount of pressure that is to be applied on any given surface. The pressure that is being applied by each machine will be in charge of breaking the bond between the surface that is being cleaned and any debris that may be on it. Popular roof cleaning models have a pressure range between 1000 and 5000 psi.
2. GPM/ Water Flow
The unit for the flow of water is GPM or gallons per minute. This is the unit that determines the total amount of water that will be discharged within sixty seconds. In many cases, the water volume is determined by the rate at which the debris needs to be removed or broken down. Units that have higher GPM levels tend to require a shorter timeframe to clean.
3. Work/HP
The horsepower will help determine the total amount of power that will be used to clean any given surface. Generally, the more HP that a pressure washer has, the more volumes or higher pressures that it will provide. This means that bigger engines will have more power, and will, thus, be able to get the job done more quickly.
Why You Need to Ensure that Your Roof Is Cleaned On a Regular Basis
As a homeowner, you will always find it necessary to make sure that your home remains clean at all times. At the end of the day, no one wants to come home to a messy residence. And this includes ensuring that your roof is well taken care of as well.
Entertaining a dirty roof not only messes with the curb appeal of your home, but it may also cause irreversible damage to the roof.
More than Dirt
The roof is exposed to all kinds of elements every single day. This means that debris and dirt will soon start to collect on it. In many cases, natural rainfall is enough to help get rid of dirt and normal debris. However, the green areas and stains on your roof are traditionally caused by other items.
And these substances will often be much harder to clean than dirt:
I. Algae
The black stains on your roof are typically referred to as algae or GM. This is a type of bacterium that feeds off of the limestone and asphalt found in shaded, cool, or moist roof surfaces. Minimal light often paves way for the growth and spread of blue or green colored GM.
II. Lichens
These are a combination of fungus and algae. They tend to grow at the same pace as algae. Once they begin to grow, they will form a plant-like organism that will start to branch off like a root tentacle. Once they start to form, it becomes very hard for you to remove them, and will start to grow again as soon as the roof becomes moist or humid.
III. Moss
Unlike the other two organisms mentioned above, moss happens to be a real plant. It tends to have a shallow root that often requires lots of moisture for it to continue surviving. They tend to survive in areas with overhanging tree branches as the branches provide them with debris that acts as a food source. Moss spores will in many cases be transferred by animals or wind and can easily spread across an entire neighborhood if they are not destroyed.
Conclusion
Professional roof cleaning in South Florida not only helps ensure that your roof gets to retain its beautiful appearance, but it also helps protect this valuable investment by extending its lifespan.
