Pressure washers are great for cleaning patios, the driveway, and cement walkways around your Palm Beach County home, but they’re not the best tool for cleaning the roof.
High water pressure can wash away the adhesive holding down each layer of shingle, causing them to come loose or even blow off entirely. The missing tiles allow rainwater to seep into the roof structures creating mold or damaging the wood itself.
Besides damaging the roof tiles, pressure washing can shorten the lifespan of your roof, causing it to need replacing sooner than expected. Water is shot from pressure cleaning machines at up to 4,000 PSI ( pounds per square inch ) – which can break off shingles, crack tiles, and otherwise deteriorate your roof.
High-Pressure Cleaning Not Recommended
High-pressure roof cleaning is not a good idea for your roof, according to the North American Roofing Contractors Association. High-pressure water can cause leaks in shingle roofs, tear-offs, and flashings, according to NRCA. The pressure can also damage the underlayment on metal roofs.
The NRCA recommends using low-pressure systems with soft brushes instead of high-pressure systems.
Your Roof Was Designed to Last 20 – 50 Years
It’s important to realize that roofs are designed to last a long time. They’re not meant to be replaced every five years but rather expected to last for decades before needing replacement.
This isn’t just because of their solid construction; it’s also because manufacturers take great care with the materials they use and how they design them, to ensure longevity and durability.
However, if you have a newer roof installed on top of an existing one (which is often the case when homeowners decide they want a new look), then this extra layer can cause problems.
The reason being is that most pressure washing equipment was designed with older materials in mind—materials were specifically chosen because they could withstand the high-pressure washings used by professionals at the time of installation.
When using high-powered washers on newer roofs, though, these machines can create enough force behind them—even without any additional pressure—to cause damage beyond what would normally occur just from regular wear and tear over time (such as leaks or premature deterioration).
Safe and Effective Roof Cleaning
If you want your roof to stay in top condition, you need to make sure it’s cleaned according to the manufacturing standards of today.
At Zero Pressure Roof Cleaning Inc., we believe the most effective way to clean a roof is with what we call the zero pressure cleaning solution. This method involves cleaning the surface using a germ-killing solution at low pressure (70 psi), which prevents damage and minimizes the risk of leaks.
We use a method of cleaning that is safer for both the roof and the environment since there is no ‘run-off’ that harms the plants and grass in Palm Beach County.
We are a roof washing company committed to providing our customers with safe and effective roof cleaning services. If you’d like more information about the services we offer, contact us today!
