Cost Benefits of Washing Your Roof
Weighing the Cost and Benefits of Washing Your Roof
If you’re noticing black streaking and stains on your roof, you may be thinking it’s time to replace it. You’re dreading the cost of such a large project, but before you start calling for estimates, you should consider calling a professional roof cleaning service first.
How Bad is the Damage?
If you can see the algae, lichen, moss, mildew or mold on my roof, that’s not a great sign. We can’t say for sure if your roof is damaged beyond repair without seeing it first, but unless the roof system is over 15 years, it’s probably safe to say you could have it cleaned and gain considerably more time to save up for a total replacement down the road.
The plants growing on the roof can be killed and washed off with a good soft wash cleaning. Forte Surfaces not only gently washes your roof to protect your shingle warranty, we also apply an algaecide/fungicide to inhibit future growth.
Will a Roof Cleaning Save Me Money?
Absolutely, a roof cleaning will save you money. First, hiring a professional company to wash and protect your roof saves you 80 to 90 percent of the cost of a total replacement right off the bat. If the roof is still within its service life, you won’t need to come up with the $10,000 or so to replace the roof if it is of an average size, slope and asphalt shingle material. The cost savings jumps from there if you have a cedar roof, as these are considerably more expensive to replace.
On top of those savings, by removing the sun-absorbing black stains, you’ll restore the reflective properties of the shingle granules, which can help reduce the heat-trapping in your attic and reduce your summer cooling costs.
Will a Roof Cleaning Extend the Life of My Roof?
In our humid climate, plant growth on roofs and home exteriors is so common that we can say yes, a good cleaning and algaecide/fungicide application will extend the life of your roof. In our climate zone, the average roof life, without regular cleaning, is 14 to 18 years. In Florida, where roof cleaning has been routinely practiced for the better part of 40 years, the average roof life is 24 to 28 years. That’s a 10-year extension of roof life! With regular roof cleanings and no storm damages, you might need to replace your roof twice in 50 years. Without cleanings, you may end up replacing it every 15 years.
Will a Clean Roof Enhance My Home’s Curb Appeal?
It sure will. If you’re putting your home on the market, any streaking, staining, moss or lichen growth on the roof is going to stand out like a sore thumb and turn prospects away. They’ll see a maintenance chore or re-roof awaiting them, so they will be discouraged from buying. We highly recommend a good soft wash cleaning not only for your roof but your whole house as well. You should be able to get top dollar with a bright clean property.
Before you start calling roofing companies, contact Forte Surfaces. Or, you can schedule a free estimate online. We would be happy to come assess your roof to see if it’s a good candidate for a money-saving roof wash. Contact us today!
