Roofs
The roof system is exposed to all manner of chemical and environmental stress due to long-term effects of normal aging. In realty small isolated problems caused through abuse, stress concentration, error in installation, quality of material, tree branches hanging over the roof, or other factors result in shortened lifespan. These small problems, if undetected escalate over time until they are extensive and expensive to resolve.
The most important reason to establishing a program of regular roof maintenance and inspection is to protect the owner’s investment. By not maintaining your roof, it could cost you the homeowner thousands of dollars in repairs and water damage to the interior of your home. Water should be diverted away from your home structure. If valleys are full of debris, water is obstructed and cannot run off the roof into the gutter system. Our climate in British Columbia demand that your roof and gutter system is maintained on regular basis.
Regular roof cleaning is an essential part of home maintenance. By keeping the roof clean of any debris and moss including the roof valleys, you can eliminate the potential for moss and algae growth, which wears down the asphalt shingles and concrete tile roofs. If you are not initiative-taking in cleaning your roof, this can affect the component of your roof along with the gutters. During a downpour, the moss, algae, and debris from roof sweeps in with the rainwater flowing down into your gutter increasing the risk of congestion and clogging your gutter system.
Maintenance of Tile Roofs
Tile roofs attract moss in the spaces between the overlapping tile's themselves and will dramatically shorten the life of your roof by destroying the integrity of each individual tile. The moss will cause several hairline cracks along the overlapping section of the tile. Those cracks will develop into breaks in the Tile. These missing pieces will allow the weather to enter your roofing or sub-roofing. In addition, during rainfall pieces of moss will enter into the gutter system and cause blocking of your down pipes. Heavy moss contamination can lead to the rapid deterioration and breakdown of roofing materials eventually necessitating costly repairs. Moss and fungus covered roof will absorb more heat and therefore, increase your utility bills. Regular inspection and maintenance of your roof is needed to prevent the likelihood of premature leaks.
Tile roofs should be cleaned every five to six years and inspected every two to three years for broken or cracked tiles. All inspections and maintenance should be performed by a qualified professional.
Tile roofs can last approximately 50 – 75 years in most cases and out live us as owners if professionally cleaned and maintained. Regular visual inspection and maintenance of your roof is needed to maximize the life expectancy of the roofing system. Roofs are exposed to the sunlight, rain, snow hail, wind and temperature changes that gradually breakdown the roofing system. Also, tiles tend to slide down due to the roof installer neglecting to support the tile with nails. All roofs require regular inspection and maintenance by a professional roofing inspector or contractor as it involve specialized knowledge, equipment, training and safety requirements. We can inspect entire roofs for cracks, sliding tile gaps, and separating top caps on roof.
If a tile roof is leaking it is most likely caused by broken or cracked tiles. However, often a tile can just slide down due to the fact a roof installer did not nail the tile in place. Sliding tiles or broken tiles will uncover the roof weaved surface membrane underneath. Therefore, allowing animals or insects (e.g. raccoons, squirrels, bees, and vermin) to gain entrance into your attic. If valleys are full of debris, water is obstructed and cannot run off the roof into the gutter system. What’s more, the roof valley and ridge lines are simply bonded with tar to hold in place, which will not last being exposed to the weather elements. Damaged or clogged gutters, roof drains, and downspout can cause water back up on the roof.
In order to minimize any further water damage, we can do minor tile repairs and replace broken tiles. We can also provide replacement of roof vents for attic circulation, furnace, bathroom, toilet, kitchen, and dryer vent.
Best Practice for Cleaning and Maintaining Asphalt Roofs
Why Power Washing Should be Avoided
Power washing may seem like an efficient way to clean your roof, but it's important to note that asphalt roofs should never be power washed. The intense force of water from a power washer can strip away the protective surface or even break off pieces of roofing material. This not only risks immediate leaks but can also significantly shorten the lifespan of your roof system. Instead, gentler cleaning methods are recommended to preserve the integrity of your asphalt roof.
Removing Existing Moss Growth
Moss growth on roofs is a common issue, especially in damp or shaded environments. While moss can be managed with care, it's important to approach removal cautiously. When moss is dormant, it can be gently scraped or swept off using a broom. However, complete physical removal of moss roots and tiny fragments is nearly impossible. Moss and algae are resilient and will often re-grow from remnants left behind on the roof surface.
Controlling Moss and Algae Without Damaging Your Roof
For cleaning asphalt roofs, we use appropriate tools designed to avoid causing damage. Sweeping and scraping are suitable methods for removing moss and debris. Trees drop leaves and branches onto your roof. The tree leaves will decay and trap moisture on asphalt roof shingles. This creates the perfect conditions for mould, algae, moss and rotting wood. A leaf blower is also effective for clearing away tree foliage and light debris without harming the roofing material. After cleaning, especially if your property is close to a green belt or surrounded by trees, it's advisable to apply a biodegradable moss removal treatment. This preventative measure helps maintain your roof's appearance and longevity by minimizing moss regrowth. Choose treatments that are safe for the environment and won't harm nearby vegetation or wildlife.
Recommended Maintenance Checklist
· Inspect regularly: Check your roof every season for signs of moss, algae, or debris accumulation.
· Remove debris: Sweep off leaves, branches, and moss using tools designed for cleaning roofs.
· Apply treatments: Use biodegradable preventative solutions after cleaning, especially in shaded or tree-lined areas.
· Avoid harsh chemicals: Do not use bleach or other corrosive substances that could damage roofing materials or harm the environment.
· Monitor for regrowth: Repeat cleaning and treatment as needed, especially during damp seasons.
Conclusion
Proper maintenance of asphalt roofs is crucial for protecting your home and extending the roof's service life. By avoiding power washing, using appropriate roof cleaning tools, and applying safe moss control treatments, you can keep your roof in excellent condition while minimizing environmental impact. Regular monitoring and care will help prevent costly repairs and maintain the aesthetic appeal of your home.
Metal Roof
Periodic inspections of your metal roof and keeping it clean of debris, dirt, mould, and algae is the best way to ensure that it is maintain. There are chemicals present in the metal roofing material that can cause chalking residue that can become visible on a painted or coated metal surface over time. As a panel is exposed to sunlight and UV rays, the paint system’s resin begins to break down and degrade and the particles begin to turn white. These particles will eventually become visible on the metal’s surface or subtle in appearance and chalky residue will be evident if you swipe the panel with your finger. We can assist in the maintenance of cleaning of your metal roof.
Risk of Fire
Some city municipalities have many areas where the wilderness and urban development meet. This mean that structures and vegetation are sufficiently close together that a wildfire may spread between tress or vegetation and structures easily. Recommend that homeowners reduce the risk of fire and have their roof and gutters clear of dead needle and other accumulations such as dead leaves and prune all branches that hang over the roof.
Professional Roof Cleaning Services
To ensure your roof remains in top condition and enjoys a longer lifespan, consider hiring professional cleaning services. JFB Pressure Washing provides expert care for roof cleaning, using methods tailored to preserve the integrity of your roofing material. Our service helps to not only extend the life of your roof but also maintain its appearance and functionality over time.
Certified home inspector James Dobney answers viewer questions about common home repairs. Watch at the end of video for important information on roof maintenance.
