During a walk around the neighborhood, you may have noticed one or more neighbors pressure washing the siding on their homes and wondered if the same cleaning method could be used on your roof. Unfortunately, the short answer is no. Pressure washing may seem like the quick solution to a dirty roof, but it can damage both your roof and your gutters. That’s why it’s important to use a professional softwash service to clean your roof. Washing your roof using the correct method will help you avoid problems like damaged gutters later on.
Structural Damage
High-pressure washing can result in structural damage to both your roof and your gutters. Too much water pressure can loosen the granules on your shingles, which then flow into your gutters and cause damage by creating extra weight and blockages. You might even cause damage by creating loose shingles that get trapped in the gutters. Pressure washing can also damage your gutters by loosening or breaking the anchors that secure them to the house. If done incorrectly, pressure washing can quickly turn your minor roof scrub-up project into an expensive mess. You could end up with a dirty roof, damaged gutters, and a hefty bill from the contractor you had to hire to fix the structural damage. Definitely not the outcome you wanted!
Related Topic: Why You Should Never Pressure Wash Your Roof
Paint Removal
Applying pressurized water to your roof might remove the dirt, but it can also remove paint from your gutters. In fact, pressure washing is one of the methods professional painters use to remove paint from wood, metal, concrete, and other exterior surfaces. Even if your exterior paint is new, a high-pressure wash could easily strip it away, leaving bare spots on your gutters and possibly even along your eaves. In fact, if you accidentally send high-pressure water blasting through your eaves, you might leave your attic a sopping wet mess.
Incorrect Ladder Placement
When it comes to climbing up onto your roof—whether you are experienced or inexperienced—using a ladder can be dangerous. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, the United States leads the world in ladder deaths. Each year, there are more than 164,000 emergency room-treated injuries and 300 deaths in the U.S. caused by falls from ladders. Even if it wasn’t so dangerous, incorrect ladder placement can still damage your gutters because they’re not built to support any additional weight. In addition, you might think your ladder is steady but the force of the high-pressure water can throw you off balance—possibly damaging you and your gutters at the same time.
Use Our Soft Wash Process
Having a clean roof can make the rest of your home look even better, but it’s important to make sure it’s done the right way. After you weigh the risk and potential damage that could be caused by cleaning it yourself, hiring Window Genie to clean your roof and gutters is the way to go—best for both your wallet and your safety. Not only do we know the safest way to access your roof and gutters, but we have the tools to clean them without causing any damage. We’ll save you time, effort, and expensive repairs that could be caused by doing the job yourself. So, if you’re ready to have your roof and gutters cleaned, call the pros at Window Genie for a free consultation. You can reach us via phone or visit our website today.
