Owning your own home is a big responsibility and keeping up with all those home maintenance tasks can really eat into your available free time. This year, whenever you’re scheduled to tackle the gutter system, cleaning off the roof first is a good first step to cleaning the gutters. Clean the roof, but don’t do it yourself. Reasons why you shouldn’t clean your own roof include safety, expertise, and damaging the roof.
It’s Dangerous
Looks can be deceiving. From the ground, the roof might not appear like it has much of a slope or it’s not that high up – it’s only one storey. But if a fall from a ladder while cleaning the gutters can send someone to the hospital, think how dangerous falling off the roof could be. All it takes is a split second to lose your balance, slip on damp roof shingles, or get caught off-guard by a sudden gust of wind.
There are other ways you can hurt yourself when cleaning the roof. A surprise attack from nesting pests such as mice, rats, hornets, and bees can result in painful bites and stings. While bees can only sting once, hornets and wasps have the ability to sting multiple times in quick succession. It can also be easy to twist an ankle, cut your hand, or suffer back strain.
Dealing with Underlying Issues
When doing a DIY roof cleaning, most homeowners will be able to remove twigs, dirt, grime, and even mold, algae, and mildew. But as a roof ages, it can sustain damage. A roof that is older than ten years might have underlying issues such as “soft” spots, missing shingles, and structural problems that could become worse or dangerous when it is walked on.
Expertise and Experience
No matter how much DIY experience you have, roofing professionals do roof installations and roof cleanings on a daily basis. They have the experience and expertise to do the job efficiently and in record time, with the right equipment and cleaning techniques that will not damage roofing shingles.
Not all roofing problems are readily detectable – leaks, for example, can “travel” and while damp patches are a good indicator, the actual source of the leak might not even be anywhere nearby. A roofing contractor will also be able to recognize areas that require repair and the signs of a roof that is need of replacement.
Making and Taking the Time
Making and taking the time to do a thorough job of cleaning the roof can be labour-intensive. As mentioned above, professional roofers will be able to do the job in half the time of most DIY-ers. You might save some money, but is it worth the time you’ll be spending on the roof instead of taking part in a favourite family weekend activity?
