THE DANGERS OF NOT CLEANING MY ROOF

When I get home the last thing I look at, if I am honest is my roof.I focus on watching the key turn in the lock, then manage a quick sprint to the kitchen, run fresh water in the kettle and then I know I’m home. What’s above my eye line doesn’t normally concern me, so I was quite surprised to read how bad excessive moss or algae can be if it is allowed to develop unchecked on a roof and that really my roof needed cleaning.

I always thought moss and algae growth meant the air was relatively clean and saw it as quite a good indicator but unfortunately it also has the ability to absorb water. OK, you might be thinking, and your point is? Well my point is the additional water stored on your roof can add one tonne per metre cubed. If you are living in an old house with less than perfect structural support this could make a massive impact and cause significant damage to your roof. It may buckle and warp or it might collapse totally.

Not only was water a problem but during the cold winter months water can freeze and this expansion and contraction can dislodge tiles and end up causing expensive damp patches on ceiling and internal walls. So, a dirty roof not only looks unsightly but can actually lead to expensive water damage. So, what’s the solution? Getting up a ladder with a high pressure hose? It’s an answer I guess but working at height can be very dangerous and also a high pressure washer can cause even more damage to tiles which are already loose or broken and cracked mortar too. Bearing in mind you would probably want to clean your gutters when you get up there this sounds like a job for the professionals.
Many household accidents happen through the use of ladders, new health and safety regulations regarding professional working at height have been implemented for a reason, so it pays to employ someone who has experience of roof cleaning to take the stress out of this unpleasant and risky job.
You can arrange to have your roof cleaned with carefully selected tools which will remove algae and moss without damaging tiles or mortar and even have a treatment added which will prevent regrowth in the future. In addition you can have your gutters spring cleaned, which is a great idea especially if you live near trees. Blocked gutters can cause water overflow and begin the cycle of damp so they should be kept clear.

Instead of waiting for a calm, dry day you can book your roof a professional clean and have it completed quickly and efficiently. So whether you live in Dublin or Cork, take a look outside and assess the debris on your roof, then contact pigsty.ie and we’ll send someone round to clean and you can sit inside with your feet up and a have well-earned cuppa. Contact us now!