Commercial roof washing is one of the most essential investments in your building’s long-term safety.
Even durable commercial roofs benefit from regular cleaning and washing.
The following post explains why commercial roof cleaning matters and how it could impact your monthly expenses.
Remember, not all commercial roofing systems are healthy enough to receive a thorough washing.
If you suspect your structure has sustained serious structural damage, it might be time to talk with your local contractor about a commercial roof replacement before investing in a cleaning.
Key Takeaway
The cleaning process can extend your roof’s lifespan, enhance building appeal, and prevent minor damages that lead to repairs.
Commercial Roof Cleaning Explained
Roof cleaning is the process of removing debris, trash, algae, and other forms of growth from the surface of your roofing system.
Depending on the type of roof and material involved, a commercial roof cleaning may entail pressure washing or even chemical treatment.
Ultimately, the goal is to leave a clean, vibrant surface after the project.
While some retail products may temporarily relieve some of your commercial system’s many threats, a seasoned professional is more likely to provide the long-term results you desire.
Threats Against Your Roofing System
Years of exposure can leave any roofing system vulnerable to natural hazards. For metal roofing systems, rust slowly eats away at the metal panels, weakening the integrity of the affected areas. Plus, it just looks terrible!
Other roofing systems suffer from dirt, mold, and algae. Not only do these elements create an unsightly smear on your beautiful roof, but they can also speed up the process of long-term degradation.
If mold and algae get sucked into the building’s heating and cooling system, your employees could experience some unpleasant side effects.
Finally, removing all the debris also reduces the potential for ponding water, one of the most dangerous threats to flat roofing systems.
While rooftop debris may not be an immediate concern, it represents a significant threat to your roofing system in the long run.
Algae present a significant threat to discolor both Flat and sloped commercial roofs.
Key Benefits of Roof Washing
Renewed Efficiency
What image comes to mind when you think of TPO, PVC, metal roofing, and other cool roofing systems?
If a brilliant white or silver roof springs up, that’s certainly the right picture! Over time, dust, dirt, mold, and algae accumulate on the surface of your roofing system. This darkens the membrane or metal.
Darker surfaces naturally absorb more light, causing the rooftop to heat up and conduct heat toward the building interior.
That’s the typical process of heat gain that so many businesses (and air conditioning systems) struggle with daily.
By washing away the murky grime from the surface of your flat or sloped rooftop, commercial roof cleaning renews the reflectivity and restores efficiency.
Regular commercial roof washing keeps your metal roof reflective while preventing dirt accumulation.
Over time, regular roof cleanings save you money on costly repairs.
A Cleaner, Healthier Environment
Sometimes, cleanliness is its own reward. In the case of many businesses, however, a moldy rooftop may actually violate local health codes and put the business in jeopardy!
No matter what industry you work in, protecting your building from the terrible smell of long-term mold growth makes sense.
Those particles can get drawn in through the building’s AC unit and start circulating inside the building.
Talk with your local roofing contractor if your community deals with regular algae or mold growth. You may require a special chemical cleaner to protect your rooftop.
A Close Look at Your Roof Surface
Dirt and other smudges tend to obscure more serious problems beneath.
A clean rooftop is much easier to inspect for surface-level degradation, such as…
- Exposed and/or weakened seams
- Puncture marks
- Deep scarring
- Brittle spots
- Depressed areas
Identifying these problems early on could prevent all kinds of problems. Finding a weakened seam, for instance, could prevent hundreds of dollars in future water leaks.
Preventing a system-wide problem could even save you thousands of dollars and an early roof replacement!
Sometimes, a roof cleaning reveals underlying problems, saving you from expensive repairs or replacements.
Roof washing often reveals brittle spots and puncture marks.
Find Your Commercial Roof Cleaner
Commercial roof cleaning is a common requirement for businesses with upcoming repair or restoration projects.
For some, however, it’s simply a prudent investment to avoid the unpleasant effects of algae growth, mold smell, or diminished energy efficiency. Timely maintenance can make all the difference.
Finding a commercial roof washing service can be a challenge in some areas.
Make sure you evaluate the company’s reviews on Google My Business, Yelp, and other reputation platforms. Also, check out their website for examples of previous commercial roof cleanings.
