We are Safe Touch, a Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Paver Sealing Company Based in Jacksonville Florida.
With our efficient, and thorough cleaning processes, you will be wonder struck at the difference. Fortunately with the right knowledge, & equipment it’s just as simple to do yourself. With the help from our experienced team of 30+ years, various topics, questions, & examples, will be covered along with much more! New material posted daily, stay updated!
Roof Cleaning
Although nobody ever usually gets on the roof, it’s actually one of the first things people see when approaching your house. It’s very important to make sure that you take care of it, for the appearance, in addition to preventative care. You probably assume you can just jump right in & start cleaning right away but there’s actually a little more depth to it. For example, different roofs can cleaned more effectively based on the material & type of cleaner used. Another very important aspect is what is actually causing your roof to be dirty. It could be multiple reasons so it’s good to determine that beforehand making the cleaning process effortless. But all in all if you’re a total beginner, don’t worry as all of the knowledge will be right at your fingertips.
What is making your roof dirty?
MoldBlack mold has a protective capsule that gives it its dark color and protects it from the sun, so that it can grow even in the sunniest areas, such as rooftops, paths and driveways. Black mold has a sooty grey or black appearance and can be solid in color, or appear in streaks or patches. Although it is a growth, it tends to make the area look dirty.
AlgaeGreen algae is a slimy smooth growth that can be found on any surface where there is moisture and indirect sunlight. Green algae likes to grow on the north side of your house, or on a shaded part of your deck, on your side path, or other areas that don’t get a lot of direct sunlight. If left untreated this can be hazardous and slippery especially if you are walking on it.
MossMoss is a green, carpet-like simple growth that can grow on a wide variety of outdoor surfaces. Moss usually grow in dense green clumps in shady damp locations. Mosses are commonly confused with Lichen, sometimes they may look similar but they are not related at all.
LichenLichen comes in many colours, sizes, and forms. The properties are sometimes plant-like, but lichens are not plants. They can survive in some of the most extreme environments on earth, from the arctic to the desert! Lichen is a scaly growth that can live on just about any outdoor surface. Lichen is very difficult to remove, and can cause pitting on many surfaces.
Roof Types
Each shaped roof will use different materials. Most common materials include:
Asphalt shingles: These come in many different shapes and sizes. Prices range from affordable to high-end luxury that can mimic cedar shake or slate materials.
Metal roofing: Metal roofs, if properly maintained, can last 40-100 years. Only copper roofs last longer.
Wood shake: Cedar shake roofs are good for the environment, aesthetically pleasing, and provide a more natural look to the home. These types of roofs are only possible on a sloped roof surface.
Slate: Slate is one of the oldest types of material used for houses and can last over 100 years. Made from natural stone, these roofs can be extremely heavy, making proper planning and design important when choosing such a roof material.
Products To Use
Since every roof is different, and requires certain products, it’s very important to know the difference, so no damage is caused furthering the problem even more.
Once you’ve figured out what kind of roof you have, and what the source of the issue is, you can now start looking for products specific to your needs, such as if you have rust stains, or hard to conquer mold streaks. Some chemicals are a lot stronger than others so it’s good to be cautious, read the label, & always wear gloves. Below is a link to a few specified products to tackle even the toughest dirt stains. https://www.doityourself.com/stry/8-types-of-roof-cleaning-products
Cleaning Procedure
- Before applying the cleaner, spray the roof with water to cool it down. That’ll prevent the cleaner from drying out too quickly. Then spray the cleaner onto the shingles. Wait about 20 minutes, then rinse.
- Saturate a large area of shingles with the cleaner. Start at the bottom row and work up to the peak. Spray until you see runoff. Respray any areas that dry out. * If the staining is light, you can rinse off the cleaning solution with just a garden hose sprayer. But go slowly & use even strokes. If you don’t, you’ll wind up with clean patches that were rinsed properly alongside dirty patches that you skipped over too quickly.
- Repeat this process, while using different products for tougher areas. Some areas might need higher pressure, or a stronger cleaning solution to get the results you want.
- Preventative care is one of the most important steps if you want to keep your roof clean and well maintained for the future. There are products that can be used to slow the regrowth of reoccurring algae. It’s best to simply keep up with it yearly because the longer you wait, the harder the stains will be to remove.
Soft Wash Low Pressure Washing
A Soft Wash uses low pressure, 1000psi or less, combined with a biodegradable chemical. This removes the biological elements (mold, algae, pollen, dirt, moss) & other stains without damaging surfaces on your home or killing your plants. With all the new redesigned tips available today, you can take a 3500 PSI power washer & drop it down to 100 psi just by changing the tip.
Soft Washing VS Pressure Washing
- Uses less than 1000 PSI.
- Recommended for soft surfaces such as wood panel siding, coquina, stucco, outdoor wood furniture, etc.
- Uses eco-friendly & environmentally safe, chemical solutions to clean the exterior of your house.
- Concentrates more on the cleaning chemical, than the pressure of the water.
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