Pressure Washing Your Roof? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you’ve been following the Fiddler Roof Cleaning blog over the past month, we’ve consistently touched on the many dangers that can come with pressure washing your roof. However, today we want to take things one step further and explain some of the things that you should look out for. Regardless of whether you are looking to clean your roof on your own or you are hiring a professional roof cleaning company, there’s no doubt that the following information will help you out immensely. Are you ready? Let’s get started!

Understanding How Much Your Roof Can Take

When it comes to the roof cleaning business, it is imperative that you understand the terms Gallons Per Minute (GPM) and Pounds Per Square Inch (PSI). What exactly do these terms mean? Well, GPM simply measures how many gallons of water are used on your roof per minute. Consequently, the more gallons that are used per minute, the faster the job will get done and the more efficient you or the company cleaning your roof will be. However, you should keep in mind that most standard water supplies won’t allow you to get more than four gallons per minute. This is one of the main reasons why a professional roof cleaning company would use an additional water supply when cleaning your roof. By getting up to 8 gallons per minute they can get the job done in half the time and save you money in the process. The PSI is even more critical because it has a dramatic impact on the strength of your roof. Basically, all you have to do is ask yourself, how many pounds of pressure are being applied per square inch during the cleaning process. If a company uses high PSI, it could cause irreversible damage to your roof. That’s why you should do your research and connect with a company like Fiddler Roof Cleaning. We know that low pressure and the right cleaning solutions are the best combination when cleaning a roof.

Consider the Type of Roof that You Have

Even though this may seem obvious, a lot of people seem to think that all roofs are one in the same. In actuality, this is definitely not the case. If you have a composition roof, power washing may not be the best option for you. This is the type of roof that is made up of delicate particles. When you use a pressure washer, you will do nothing but cause more harm than good. When you should be taking preventative measures, you could end up putting yourself in a financial hole by venturing into the world of pressure washing.

Meanwhile, if you have a tile roof, you may definitely want to inquire about hiring professionals as opposed to doing it on your own. The last thing you want is for pressure washing to be so intense that water makes it’s way under the tiles on your roof and adversely affects your electrical wiring. There’s no denying the fact that a scenario like this one will be both dangerous and expensive for you to clean up.

Keep in mind that other roof types may require power washing in order to get rid of moss and algae. However, knowing and understanding your roof type can save you a world of money and time.

Be Smart and Logical

Now that you have more information on pressure washing, you should be able to make a wise decision when hiring a professional roof cleaning company. As you try to choose a good company that fits your needs and budget, don’t hesitate to bring up things such as gallons per minute and pounds per square inch. After all, if you’re going to be spending your hard earned money, you should do everything in your power to ensure that you get the best service possible. While pressure washing may always be effective on your sidewalks and driveways, your roof is much more delicate and takes some pampering. By taking these steps, you will be able to avoid a costly roof replacement in the future.