Cleaning your roof is not only important for improved curb appeal but can also save you money on repairs and roof replacement. It is also important for maintaining your warranty. The pros of having your roof cleaned by a professional team far outweigh the cons, which include the cost and the risk of damaging your roof.
If you’ve been hanging your head in shame as you approach your home due to your murky roof, you may be considering having it cleaned. Cleaning is not only important for aesthetics. It will help your roof last longer and perform better.
However, it is an involved endeavor and can be expensive depending on the state of your home. It’s no wonder you’re conflicted over whether it is a worthwhile investment or not. We’ve been in this industry for several years and believe this gives us a good idea of the pros and cons of roof cleaning.
Below, we share some of our thoughts on the subject.
Is Roof Cleaning Worth It? – What Neglecting Your Roof Will Cost You
Ignoring the accumulation of dirt, debris, and other contaminants on your property can result in various problems, including:
- Costly repairs – leaks, wood rot, and damage to shingles can be costly to repair. Repair can run into thousands of dollars.
- Reduced lifespan – damage to your roof reduces its lifespan. Replacing a roof is a major expense that can be put off by simply having your property cleaned regularly.
- Higher energy costs – roofs covered in debris and contaminants such as moss and algae absorb more heat. This makes the space inside your home hotter, forcing your system to work harder to cool your home. This increases your energy costs.
Roof Cleaning Price
The cost of having your property cleaned professionally differs depending on various factors. The national average cost of cleaning single-family homes is between $400 and $900. How much you will actually spend will depend on:
- The size and pitch of your home’s roof – Cleaning larger or steeper roofs requires more time and effort. More specialized equipment may also be required. All of this combined results in a higher overall cost.
- Accessibility – Are there many parts of your roof that are difficult to reach? Cleaning roofs with complex designs is often more challenging and time-consuming. There may also be a need for specialized equipment. This increases the overall cost.
- The state of your roof – is your roof heavily covered with dirt, algae, or mold? Are there deep-seated stains? It may take more time and effort. Special cleaning solutions may also need to be applied, bringing the cost of the process up.
- Location – The regional rates, as well as your distance from your contractor, will contribute to the overall cost of the project.
The Pros and Cons of Roof Cleaning
The Benefits of Roof Cleaning
- Increased life span – Replacing a roof is far (very far) from cheap. A complete replacement can cost several thousand dollars or even tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the size and state of your property. Regular cleans help to get rid of algae, lichen, mold, dirt, and debris that can cause damage to the roof over time if allowed to accumulate. Investing in regular cleaning will delay the need for costly replacement.
- Improved curb appeal – Accumulated contaminants will make your property look unkempt. A clean roof will make your home look well-maintained and fresh. It will enhance the curb appeal of your home.
- Maintaining your warranty – if you’ve had repair or replacement done on your roof recently, you will need to maintain your property in order to keep your warranty. Keeping your roof clean and free of contaminants and debris is often one of the requirements of these warranties.
- Keep pests away – Algae, mold, and debris accumulated on your roof and gutters can harbor pests such as insects and rodents. These will not only damage your property by leaving droppings or physically destroying it, but can also affect the health of your household. Clearing debris and other contaminants will help to prevent costly repairs as well as hospital visits.
The Cons of Roof Cleaning
- Damage to materials – This is one of the biggest drawbacks of cleaning a roof. The potential of damaging roofing materials is high, especially when proper precautions are not considered. Shingles can be damaged when walking over them. Water may seep through the shingles if too much pressure is used. In addition, the shingles can be damaged if the wrong cleaning solution is used.
- Risk of falling – Working from a ladder or other device or walking over the roof exposes you to a high risk of falling during the cleaning process. The risk of suffering a severe injury, such as a spine injury, is therefore high. It is important to have the right safety gear and experience for safety.
- Costs money – whether you choose to hire a professional or do the cleaning yourself, this project costs money. Hiring a professional team can cost several hundred dollars. Doing it yourself can be significantly more expensive when you have to hire or purchase equipment and gear. You may also cause damage to your property, which will cost you money to repair.
- Damage to plants – Cleaning can result in damage to your landscape. Some cleaning agents can cause harm to plants or poison the soil. It is important to use environmentally friendly products and to use them with care.
Don’t Risk It – Let the Pros at Reflection of Perfection Do the Hard Work
Now that you are convinced that your property needs regular maintenance, it’s easy to give in to the temptation to do the work yourself. You could save money, right?
Cleaning a roof isn’t a DIY job. It comes with many pros and cons of roof cleaning, including the risk of severely damaging your roof or suffering a serious injury as a result of falling from a height. In fact, many homeowners soon learn that the DIY route is more expensive than calling in the pros.
At Reflection of Perfection, we have a highly skilled and experienced team. We come fully equipped for any job. We’ll restore the beauty of your roof while protecting your property and ensuring safety. Get in touch with us today for a custom quote!