Roof cleaning has grown to be a well sought out industry over the last few decades. The history of roof cleaning services evolves around the hot and humid environments of Vancouver that caused a lot of damage to the roof structures since their weather conditions enable the growth of algae and fungi. As a result, since the 1980s, people began to look into roof cleaning to identify and develop techniques to ensure the safety and durability of their roofs.
Back then, pressure washing was the technique people considered most effective, and hence, many people often pressure washed their roofs regularly. However, research and experience prove that pressure washing has a significant impact on reducing the roof's longevity due to the high pressure at which the water jets are aimed at the structure.
Furthermore, pressure washing is said to depreciate the lifetime of your roofing by 10-15 years. This is because even the slightest unfavorable impact on shingles and roof tiles from the pressure washers can cause permanent damage to the entire structure. The forces of these water streams are strong enough to cut through human flesh. Similarly, pressure washing a roof can cause severe damage, such as :
- Permanent physical harm to the shingles and roof tiles, such as cracks and chip offs
- Creates gaps between the roof tiles resulting in points of leakage
- Washes off the granules that are meant to protect the shingles
The damages mentioned above arising from improper maintenance can invalidate your warranty provided by the tiling and shingle manufacturers.
Pressure Washing Does Not Address The Issue Completely
Be that as it may, another main issue of pressure washing is that it does not address the root cause of our problems. You can wash away the black streaks and patches on our roofing whenever you notice them. But unless you deal with the root cause that enables the growth of such organisms, you will be dealing with the black streaks and organic growth patches repeatedly as they tend to regrow.
For example, the black streaks you often see on your roof are not simple accumulations of dust or sludge. These are stains caused by a bacteria known as the Gloeocapsa Magma. This bacteria, just like any other living organism, deeply roots itself onto the roof surface. The bacterial root structures can grow through your roof, causing roof decay, dislocation of roof tiles, and damage to your shingles. Therefore, your roof cleaning process would be ineffective unless you completely destruct these root growths itself.
Most of the organisms that cause roof decay behave like this bacteria, and unfortunately, they can rapidly breed throughout the roof. They breed through the shingles attached on the rear side of the structure and cause them to expand due to their breeding spacing. In such instances the front ends of the structures are forced to widen and flake out along with the expansion of the rear ends.
Importance Of Soft-Washing
Moreover, these structures are also made up of substances that these organisms can feed on. For example, algae and fungi are capable of metabolizing the phosphates contained in the lime stones of the shingles. Once they start feeding on the shingles, the shingles begin to deteriorate, creating leakage points within the roof structure. Over time, you will be having water leaking into your house through such points.
This is why we at Roof Cleaners Vancouver emphasize soft washing. All that soft washing requires is a surfactant or detergent that is capable of eliminating such organic growth. We spray these washing solutions onto the roof and let them work their magic. They keep working to destruct organisms throughout a long period of time and ensure that all traces of their breeding grounds are completely annihilated.
These detergents we use for soft washing work similar to fungicides and spread to the root levels of the growths to completely destruct the entire organic structure. However, they do not cause physical damage to the shingles or roof tiles, ensuring the roof's longevity. We also make sure that these detergents and surfactants do not have the ability to damage the texture or chemically react with the structure.
Moreover, we make certain that the chemicals we use are environmentally friendly. After all, we do not want to end up harming the surrounding in the process of cleaning it. We also ensure that the products we use for soft washing are biodegradable since we have to promote a sustainable environment.
Therefore, you no longer have to deal with your roof alone. You can contact us at Vancouver Roof Cleaners for any of your roof cleaning needs. Our employees have the required skills, experience, and knowledge to give you the best of services.
