This is a roof cleaning project that we completed for a home owner in the city of Warsaw. The customer was unsure why his roof was black and was thinking he was looking at an expensive roof replacement. We have found that this is not that uncommon for people to think this and unfortunately some do go to the extent of having their roof replaced prematurely.

Sadly enough some roofing contractors will not educate them that the roof is still in good shape and that it only needs to be cleaned. This may happen because the roofing contractor is not aware a roof can be cleaned or they may be under the misconception that roof cleaning causes damage to roofs. Damage can be done to the shingles only when the wrong cleaning methods are used.

Fortunately this Warsaw home owner found us before deciding to replace his roof. After educating him that we use the low pressure methods and cleaners recommended by the shingle manufacturers themselves at a fraction of the cost for a complete replacement, he was excited about the cleaning project. The entire roof was cleaned using low pressure methods to restore this roof’s appearance and to ensure this Warsaw home owner gets the full life out of his roof.

There is no denying that a power washer can be an extremely useful tool for the do it yourself home owner. When used properly with the correct cleaners and methods a power washer can clean vinyl siding, stucco, brick, concrete, decks, fences, patios, awnings and more.

It must also be noted that in the wrong hands a pressure washer can be a very dangerous tool. When in the hands of an inexperienced operator a power washing unit can easily damage any of the surfaces mentioned above. The most common cases of damage are caused to vinyl siding, wood decks, asphalt shingles, mortar joints, and even concrete.

The typical reason these inexperienced operators accidentally damage these surfaces is by using way too much pressure. Even small consumer grade pressure washing units put out a couple thousand P.S.I. which is more than enough to cause damage. For most surfaces around the home, except for maybe concrete, you need to change the nozzle at the end of the wand to achieve a lower pressure without sacrificing water flow.

Using the correct cleaners for cleaning your home whether it is vinyl siding, wood, stucco, or brick is crucial to getting it fully clean. Dirt, grime, spider webs, and bug fecal are a few of the contaminants that can collect on your home’s exterior. These natural pollutants need to be cleaned with special detergents like soap and degreasers or a combination of both. Mold, mildew and algae on the other hand have to be cleaned using bleach based cleaners.

Mild bleach is the only chemical that will kill mold, mildew and algae and remove it for good. Using only detergents and high pressure may remove what you can see of the mold, mildew and algae but it will not kill it down deep, therefore it will return in full force in as little as a few weeks. The best recipe for pressure cleaning your home to free it from all of these pollutants is a good house washing detergent mixed with about a 1% to 2% concentration of bleach.