How to Clean Cedar Shake and Slate Roofs
One of the most proven ways to extend the life of your roof is to have it properly and professionally cleaned. Roofs should be cleaned every 5-10 years depending on location and sun exposure; an expert roof cleaner can advise you on your roof maintenance needs.
Cleaning your roof not only restores curb appeal, it also protects the surface from long-term damage from mold and algae.
How Does My Roof Get Dirty?
The black stains and streaks we see on roofs are a resilient strain of algae called ”Gloeocapsa Magma.” The spores from this type of algae are airborne and will spread from roof to roof where they feed on the composition of the roof shingles. Once established, the algae can spread to the shingles on the other sides of your home.
Left untreated the algae will encourage the growth of other organisms such as mildew, moss, and mold. These organisms retain water which can prematurely age and rot your shingles, reducing their life cycle and increasing energy costs.
Can I Clean a Cedar Shake or Slate Roof Myself?
Specialty roofing materials, like cedar shake and slate, require some extra TLC when cleaning. Improperly cleaning a cedar shake or slate roof can cause serious damage to the roof tile. It’s the most common mistake we see when homeowners try to clean their own roofs, and can be costly.
Hiring a professional roof cleaning service ensures your specialty roofing surfaces are protected AND cleaned properly.
How does Fórte Surfaces Clean Specialty Roofs?
At Fórte Surfaces, our team of professionals takes extra steps to protect your cedar shake and slate roofs:
- We use a specially-formulated cleaning solution to remove algaecide/fungicide to prevent algae, mildew, mold, and moss from returning to your roof.
- This solution is a formula our team has been tweaking and perfecting for decades to ensure the best outcome each time for your roof.
- The “soft wash” cleaning process is recommended by the leading shingle manufacturers for roof cleaning and maintenance.
- Our field teams have been fully trained in the art of roof cleaning and the safe removal of the infecting mildew, mold, and moss present on your shingles.
- We take every precaution possible to protect surrounding vegetation and use ground protection mats to protect the yard from any damage from our lifts.
Fórte Surfaces also cleans barrel tile, metal and asphalt roof shingles, in addition to slate and cedar shake. Contact us today for a free quote for your roof cleaning service!
