It happens. There may have been a storm or maybe just high winds, leaving piles of leaves on your roof. Or you might just have a very large tree that continually drops spent leaves. Regardless, you have debris stuck on your roof, and you need a safe way to remove it. Debris caught on a roof has to be handled delicately to avoid damage to your home. Here’s everything you need to know.
1. Choose the Right Time
To remove debris from a roof, you’re going to need to get out on top of the roof. Begin by choosing the right day. You want to clear your roof of debris during daylight hours on a day that is not windy. Don’t try to remove debris when it’s raining, as the roof will be slippery.
2. Removing Light Debris from Roofs
Twigs, leaves, and other light debris is usually removed from a roof through the use of a blower. A blower clears off the debris quickly without damage to the roof, but it’s only a viable option if the debris is fairly small and light. Of course, once the debris has been blown off the roof, it still needs to be picked up. A homeowner can rent a leaf blower themselves, but they have to be particularly careful about using it, because there is some amount of kickback.
If you don’t have a leaf blower, you can use a broom to sweep debris off your roof. Be careful when sweeping, and be gentle with the shingles. Use a soft household broom rather than something larger such as a push broom. Be very careful when moving around on your roof. It’s best to always work with another person, and walk carefully to make sure that your footing is secure.
It should be noted that blowing debris from roofs doesn’t necessarily clear gutters, which are also important. You need to check to make sure your gutters aren’t blocked and that water is able to flow cleanly through. Gutters need to redirect water away from your home, and if they aren’t functioning correctly, it could lead to costly leaks in your roof.
3. Consider Algae Solution
After you’ve cleaned up your roof and your gutters, consider a prevention treatment for algae. Algae can stain your roof and make it slippery and difficult to maintain. But there are products that you can spray on your roof to resist algae and keep your home looking great.
4. Inspect Your Roof
As you finish your roof cleaning, inspect the shingles. If there are any loose shingles, those will need to be fixed by a professional. Blowing debris off your roof gives you the opportunity to look for damage. If you see any areas that appear to be compromised, there could be leaks below. You may also notice other previously hidden issues, such as dented or bent gutters. These need to be straightened or they will be easier to block.
5. Repeat Regularly
Roof debris has to be removed regularly to avoid any problems. Pests can start to nest in roof debris. Roof debris can start collecting water. But how often you need to clear your roof of debris depends on your roof. Some roofs have many areas in which to catch debris. Others have virtually none. Some people live in areas where debris accumulates quickly, while others don’t. Pay attention to your roof and the situation above your head; if you start to see build-up, you should deal with it.
The Importance of Removing Debris
While it may be tempting to shrug and assume that leaves and small branches will eventually fall off your roof, it’s important to remove it as soon as possible. There are two reasons. First, debris on the roof may have already damaged the roof. The damage may not be immediately obvious until the debris has been removed, in terms of pooling water and blocked gutters. Second, the debris could damage the roof in the future.
If you have debris moving around on your roof and in your gutters, it could start redirecting rain. Debris can also become home to small pests and insects, which will eventually intrude upon and damage your home.
Removing debris is a regular part of maintenance for a roof, but it’s also often best left for a professional. While they deal with roof debris, they can also check and maintain your gutters. Debris removal, as with anything to do with a roof, can be dangerous. Contact Bert Roofing today to get a quote.