Are you considering cleaning your roof on your own? Before you leap into this work, make sure you know what you’re getting into. While doing your own roof soft wash sounds appealing at first, it’s actually tougher than you might realize. At Marin Exterior Cleaning, we’ve heard all sorts of stories about property owners beginning roof soft wash projects only to have to quit halfway through and give us a call!
In this blog, we’ll review five of the biggest roof cleaning challenges. That way, you know what to brace yourself for during your appointment. Of course, keep in mind that if you need our help in the Marin County area, you’re always welcome to give us a call!
#1: Finding Enough Time For the Work
So, you want to do your own roof soft wash. First and foremost, you need to ask yourself if you have enough time for the work. You won’t be able to finish this work in thirty minutes, after all. A roof soft wash can take around six hours to complete, especially if you are unfamiliar with the roof cleaning process. Finding this time can be difficult when you already have a full-time job, a family, hobbies, and errands to run.
Make sure you pick a relatively open day for your roof soft wash. Don’t plan to do the work on a day when you have impending appointments because what happens if your project runs over? You’ll either have to abandon your work halfway through or be late to a prior obligation. Plan ahead and save yourself from this frustrating predicament.
#2: Obtaining the Right Equipment
Obviously, you won’t be able to do a roof soft wash without the right equipment. The question is, what does this include? There is an entire shopping list of items for your consideration. Most importantly, you’ll need a pressure washer. A pressure washer is a powerful machine that pressurizes water and sprays it through a connecting hose. With these jets of water, you’ll be able to remove debris from your roof and restore its beauty.
In addition to a pressure washer, hose, and attaching nozzles, make sure you also have the following items:
- Basic Detergent. No, not laundry detergent. A pressure washing detergent can be put inside your pressure washer’s soap tank, increasing the effectiveness of soft washing.
- Sodium Hypochlorite and Spray Applicator. Struggling with stubborn debris that won’t wash away? Sodium hypochlorite is your friend. Use a spray applicator.
- Ladder. You’ll need a ladder if you want to reach your roof in the first place. Remember, cheaper isn’t always better with ladders. Safety is the top priority.
- Safety Gear. By wearing goggles, gloves, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes, you’ll reduce the risk of spraying your bare skin with pressurized water.
#3: Using Your Ladder Responsibly
Did you know that ladder misuse is the leading cause of accidents during DIY roof soft wash projects? All it takes is one wrong move to fall off your ladder, hit the ground, and break a bone. We’re sure you’d rather not take a trip to the emergency room, so take preventative measures and mitigate the risk as much as possible.
We’ve included our ladder safety guidelines below, so please look them over:
- Ladder stability. Always make sure your ladder has been set up in a level area where it won’t rock or wobble. If your ladder doesn’t seem stable, don’t climb it. Figure out why it’s wiggling and correct the problem.
- Three points of contact. You have two arms and two legs. Three of them should be on the ladder at all times. This heavily reduces the risk of a fall, saving you from a potentially serious injury.
- Consider a ladder harness. A ladder harness connects you to the ladder and can catch you in the event of a fall. A harness usually costs around sixty dollars. Compare this to the cost of fixing a broken arm, and the choice is clear.
#4: Avoiding Water Pressure Damage
You would think that roofs are durable structures. After all, they do protect your property from the elements every day of the year. However, roofs are more delicate than you might realize at first. Use too much water pressure, and you can cause real damage to your roof, loosening shingles and forcing water underneath tiles. This is a recipe for disaster that leads to leaks and other kinds of damage!
There’s a reason it’s called a roof soft wash. It uses the soft washing technique, not the pressure washing technique. The difference between the two, of course, is the amount of water pressure used. Always research how much water pressure to use for your specific roofing material before attempting to clean it.
#5: Using Powerful Cleaning Solutions When Necessary
Have you come across stubborn debris that won’t wash away during your project? It’s always annoying when this happens, but the good news is that you don’t need to give up. Instead of letting tough stains stay on your roof, use powerful sodium hypochlorite to break them down and completely remove them.
‘Never put sodium hypochlorite in your pressure washer’s soap tank; this can actually cause damage to the equipment. Instead, spray a thin layer of this substance onto your roof using a spray applicator. Then, wait fifteen minutes for tough grime to be broken down. Finally, rinse it away with the soft washing technique. (It’ll be much easier to remove it after treatment.)
Need Professional Roof Cleaning?
If you feel like you aren’t cut out for a DIY roof soft wash, don’t worry. You can always reach out to Marin Exterior Cleaning for a professional appointment. Our team of experts will happily restore your roof and eliminate all debris from its surface. What’s more, we’ll complete the work for a fair price that you will appreciate.
Get started by contacting us online with information about your project. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible with a free cost estimate; then, you can choose a time and date for your appointment. We look forward to serving you soon!
