It depends on how it’s done and who’s doing it. Roof cleaning carries three real risks: a slick roof underfoot, shingles damaged by too much force, and runoff landing on whatever sits below.
None of them is a reason to live with a black roof. Each one is a reason to be picky about the method.
The three risks, and how we handle each
A wet roof is slick
Shingles covered in solution and rinse water are slippery, and a fall from a roof is serious. That’s why this is a job for a crew with roof gear, not a homeowner with a garden sprayer. While we work, please keep kids, pets and yourself off the ladder and out from under the eaves.
Too much force strips shingles
The granules on an older roof don’t hold on tight. InterNACHI, a trade association, notes that “With older roofs, even marble-size hail may loosen granules.” So we keep pressure washers, brushes and brooms off shingles completely. A low-pressure solution does the cleaning, and the rinse is gentle.
Runoff lands on plants and patios
Whatever goes on the roof comes down the gutters and off the eaves. Before we start, beds and shrubs near the house get soaked with plain water, and pots, cushions and grills get moved. When we finish, plants and patios get rinsed again.
When we won’t clean a roof
Sometimes the risk is the roof itself. If we find soft decking, bare spots where the mat shows, or shingles that crack when touched, we won’t put a crew or a wet solution on it. That roof needs a roofer, and we’ll tell you so. We look at every roof first and only recommend a cleaning when it fits.
See how the whole process runs on our roof cleaning page, or how the same low-pressure method works on walls on soft washing. Then call or text Revive Exteriors at (812) 664-6222 to book a free exterior evaluation.