Maintaining your home also means thinking about something you don’t see every day but that’s very important: your roof. Constantly exposed to the elements, pollution, and vegetation, it slowly undergoes attacks that end up weakening the entire structure of the home. A simple deposit of moss or a displaced tile can lead to leaks, loss of insulation, or even significant damage if nothing is done. However, there are some visible signs that indicate it’s time to think about Roof cleaning in Westmeath.
Here are 5 warning signs not to ignore to preserve your roof and avoid costly repairs. In addition, there are also many things that you will know from this blog.
What promotes the growth of moss?
Some materials are more conducive to moss growth than others. The more porous the material, the more likely it is to invade. The porosity of the substrate allows water to seep through and increase humidity levels. This moisture is vital for all plants, including mosses, algae, and lichens.
Indeed, humidity is the primary factor that promotes this proliferation on your roof. A moisture treatment is strongly recommended when removing moss from your roof.
A lack of sunlight can also encourage the growth of these plant species, which prefer shade to light. This is why humid, less sunny regions are more conducive to this phenomenon. A word of advice: if trees grow near your home, it’s best to prune them to avoid any shaded areas on your roof.
The acidity of rain is also another influential factor. The more acidic the rain, the more moss thrives on it. Therefore, to prevent its growth, roof moss removal is strongly recommended.
Are mosses dangerous for roofing?
As you probably know, the mosses growing on your roof are a type of plant. Their unique feature is that they produce neither flowers nor seeds. There are many different species of moss, each of which has adapted to a different habitat and specific environmental conditions. For example, the moss growing at the base of a tree in a forest is not the same species as the moss growing on your roof.
If your roof meets the conditions they seek, then these plants will grow and spread without limit. Ultimately, this phenomenon is particularly dangerous because it can cause significant damage to your home’s roof and lead to numerous problems. Without proper roof moss removal, moss continues to grow regardless of obstacles. It can work its way around, cover, or even slightly lift the tiles to continue growing.
The damage they cause to roofing materials will affect the waterproofing of your roof. Rainwater then seeps into these exposed spaces, allowing mould to grow under the tiles. Moisture can also reach your ceilings, requiring extensive repairs.
If your roof isn’t cleaned on time, these problems can worsen during windy weather, causing some tiles to shift. In the worst case, you may even see some tiles disappear during a storm, requiring significant repair costs.
Furthermore, it’s truly a vicious circle. The more these plants grow on the roofing materials, the more porous and watertight they become. And the more porous the materials, the more these plants can grow. This is the main reason to have your roof cleaned.
5 signs that it’s time to remove moss from your roof
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Appearance of moss and lichen
The presence of moss, lichen, or other vegetation is often the first sign that your roof needs a good moss removal. These organisms thrive primarily in damp, shaded environments. Regular visual inspections will allow you to detect their appearance at the first sign. Don’t let these plants proliferate, as they can cause significant damage to your roof.
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Degradation of roofing materials
Another telltale sign of an unhealthy roof is the deterioration of the roofing materials. Moss traps moisture, which can cause accelerated deterioration of the tiles or slates. You may notice that your tiles have become porous, brittle, or have cracks. The appearance of such defects can identify an urgent need for moss removal, as they open the door to water infiltration and other damage such as corrosion of the roof structure.
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Gutter obstruction
Loose moss can also clog your gutters. It’s important to ensure that water is draining freely. If you notice that your gutters are overflowing or blocked, this could be a sign that your roof is suffering from a moss infestation. A clogged gutter prevents rainwater from draining properly, which could lead to serious water infiltration into your walls and foundation.
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Thermal insulation problems
The challenges of thermal insulation should not be underestimated. The presence of moss can reduce your home’s energy efficiency. It absorbs moisture, which can lead to higher energy bills, both for heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. Therefore, you should be on the lookout for any unexplained increases in your energy costs, as this may indicate a worrying condition of your roof that requires moss removal.
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Home aesthetics
While not directly related to the structural integrity of your home, the appearance of your roof can greatly impact your property’s value. A moss-covered roof is often unattractive. If you’re considering selling your home, investing in moss removal can be a wise move. A clean, well-maintained roof enhances the aesthetics of your home and gives it a well-kept appearance.
Investing in roof moss removal is an effective way to improve your home’s curb appeal. Potential homeowners will be more likely to purchase a home with a well-maintained roof.
3 reasons to have your roof cleaned by a professional
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A dirty roof leads to disastrous consequences
Bad weather, heat, frost- over time, moss and algae can proliferate on your roof tiles. Aside from the fact that such a green layer doesn’t look neat, moss is also very harmful to the roof structure. It affects the coating of your tiles or slates, making them porous. When this happens, rainwater can easily penetrate the house, the roof will crack, and you will suffer from dampness in your home after a while. The insulation can also be affected, so even vermin can enter through the roof.
It is therefore highly recommended to clean your roof from time to time. A professional knows exactly what to look for and is therefore the right person to contact for this job.
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Cleaning a roof is very dangerous
Climbing onto your roof and starting to clean it with a brush and a bucket of water? This is very dangerous… Hard-to-reach areas are certainly not easy to tackle. A dirty roof is often slippery, which means that the right materials are essential. Furthermore, you can accidentally damage your roof if you clean it yourself. Therefore, it is extremely important to work thoroughly but gently. A professional who only cleans roofs has the perfect equipment and knows what to do on each roof.
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A professional is skillful
Every day, professionals take care of dirty roofs. They clean roofs, remove moss from the tiles, and apply a coating to prevent dirt from sticking to them. Of course, they do this meticulously, and in addition, they check the entire roof structure for defects. They determine the correct rinse aid composition and the maximum cleaning pressure.
Conclusions
After removing moss from the roof, we advise our clients to protect it from moisture by applying a water-repellent treatment to the entire surface. This treatment makes roofing materials hydrophobic for several years and prevents water from seeping through.
So, now you have a basic idea about the benefits of hiring a Roof cleaning service in Kildare. Therefore, if you are looking for the best service that will do this task, get in touch with PM ROOFING. With many years of industry experience, we have been consistently delivering quality service to a wide range of highly satisfied customers.
For more details, get in touch with us!