Flat roofs are a popular style for many buildings and they can be very stylish and practical. They are also a much cheaper option, which makes them desirable for home construction on a budget. However, flat roofs do require regular maintenance and cleaning. If you don’t maintain them then you will find yourself looking for a company that offers roof restorations in Perth a lot more often than you want to.
It is important to keep a flat roof clean and free of debris because this will prevent the build-up of water from rain which has the potential to create leaks. To help with cleaning away debris, you can look at self-dumping steel hoppers, this one from Platforms and Ladders may be the right one for your project. It is also important to remove moss from your roof because it has the potential to fall into the gutters and cause blockages, as well as expanding and contracting with the weather and cracking the roof. The moss will also hold moisture in its roots, which will promote the rot of wood and concrete.
So how should you clean your flat roof from Marcus Roofing? Here are some important tips to keep in mind:
Prepare Correctly
Before you start cleaning the roof, you will need to get ready. Remember, you will need to be careful where you are walking so spread out a sheet of timber so that your weight will be spread across the surface and you will not damage the flat roof.
Also, you should be wearing soft soled shoes while you are cleaning your flat roof. If you need to step on the roof itself at any point, walk very carefully.
Getting Rid of Moss
There are a few different strategies out there that are used for removing moss from flat roofing. One technique is to use a mixture of beach and water. You can start by removing the large lumps of moss with a broom or a brush. Then, pour the bleach and water mixture over the moss which will cause the plant to die and turn brown within only a few minutes. Wait a few minutes and then hose the area down with water to wash all of the moss away. Then you can use the brush to sweep away all of the remaining dead moss.
Another technique is to use a grout brush or any other type of brush with metal or toughened plastic bristles. You can spray the area with moss-killer, which is a substance that can be found at your local hardware store. When you scrub the moss hard with a metal brush, you will be pulling up the roots and ensuring that the moss will not grow back.
Inspecting the Roof
Once you have given the roof a thorough cleaning and removed the moss, this is the perfect opportunity to make sure that the roof hasn’t been damaged over time by the moss or the moisture build up. Give your flat roof a close inspection and if you spot any damage, it should be dealt with right away. Without thoroughly inspecting your roof, you won’t know if you have any problems, such as any leaks that aren’t noticeable through the naked eye. Depending on the outcome, you may decide to have a look at foam roofs to reduce the chances of any leaks occurring. But you may only come to this conclusion after inspecting your roof.
Protect Your Other Plants
Remember, if you are using a moss killer or a bleach solution on your roof to kill the moss, it has the potential to kill any other plants as well. Try to collect the water that you push off the roof and discard of it properly, so that it doesn’t run into your garden or your yard and kill your grass and flowers.
Using a Pressure Washer
Another strategy for cleaning a flat roof is to use a pressure washer. This is a hose that will push any debris off the roof with the sheer force of the water coming out of it. Because there are no chemicals used, a pressure washer is a much greener way of cleaning your flat roof. You might have found that some places call them power washers as well, don’t be confused by this, as they do exactly the same thing. So if you are currently interested in getting a new power washer for your home, then you might want to consider checking out something like the best gas power washers here. Make sure you get the right one for you and what you need it for though.
You could try using an industrial strength pressure washer, which will have a wand long enough to allow you to pressure wash while standing on the ground below. Or, you could stand on the roof or a ladder. Make sure that you are comfortable using the pressure washer, so that you can apply the appropriate pressure to the roof while keeping your balance.
These are just a few tips to keep in mind when cleaning your flat roof, so that you can keep it free of debris and functioning well keeping your family warm, dry and protected from the elements.
Matthew Peterson is a freelance writer and home improvement blogger. He likes to write about clever and practical tips for maintaining and improving your home.