Marshall Air Pro
Is There a Right or Wrong Way to Clean a Roof?
A homeowner recently asked us a very simple question.
“What is the best way to clean my roof?”
The answer?
It depends.
We know that is not the quick answer people want. However, after 30 years of roof cleaning in Oxfordshire, we have learned one important lesson.
No two roofs are exactly the same.
Therefore, why would we clean every roof in exactly the same way?
It All Starts With a Roof Cleaning Home Assessment
Before we recommend a roof cleaning method, we visit your home. CLICK HERE – to arrange a home assessment
Firstly, we look at the roof.
Then, we listen to you.
What condition is the roof in? How old is it? What type of tiles are fitted? More importantly, what are you expecting the finished roof to look like?
Because your expectations matter.
Some homeowners want heavy moss removed.
Others want the roof restored as close as possible to its original appearance.
Meanwhile, some clients simply want to protect an older roof and slow down further organic growth.
Therefore, we start with a proper home assessment.
We Grade the Level of Moss
Next, we assess the moss infestation.
At Alfresco Exterior Cleaning, we grade roof moss from 1 to 5.
A Grade 1 roof may have light organic growth.
However, a Grade 5 roof can have years of heavy moss buildup.
As a result, the cleaning method may change.
We also look at the roof covering.
Is it a modern concrete tile? Natural slate? An older clay tile? Or perhaps a traditional Cotswold stone roof?
Because every surface needs a different level of care.
Sometimes Compressed Air Is the Best Option
For older or more delicate roofs, aggressive cleaning may not be suitable.
Therefore, we can use our Marshall Air Pro compressed air cleaning system.
Instead of relying on water pressure, the system uses controlled compressed air to remove moss and loose debris.
As a result, it can provide a gentler cleaning option for natural slate, Cotswold stone tiles and older roof coverings.
In addition, compressed air uses far less water, as we only need water for the application of treatment, post-clean.
And right now, that matters.
Do We Really Need to Use Thousands of Litres of Water?
The last few weeks have been incredibly dry.
Meanwhile, water companies continue to ask homes and businesses to reduce water use.
Perhaps sorting out leaking pipes and improving water storage would help.
But that is another blog.
However, as a professional exterior cleaning company, we still have a responsibility to look at how we work.
Therefore, where suitable, compressed air roof cleaning gives us another option.
Less water. Controlled cleaning. Excellent moss removal.
However, that does not mean compressed air is right for every roof.
Sometimes Softwashing Is the Better Solution
On other roofs, softwashing may be the best option.
Softwashing uses specialist cleaning treatments applied at low pressure.
Rather than relying on force, the treatment targets algae, moss and other organic growth.
As a result, the roof continues to improve naturally over time.
In some cases, the full visual result may develop over six to nine months.
Therefore, softwashing suits homeowners who understand that roof cleaning does not always need to deliver an instant bright finish on day one.
Other Roofs Need a Combined Approach
Sometimes, one method is not enough.
For example, we may remove heavy moss first.
Then, we apply a post-clean treatment to target remaining organic growth.
As a result, the roof continues to clean naturally.
In the right conditions, this approach can help a roof stay cleaner for up to five years.
Again, it depends on the roof.
And that is exactly the point.
We Are a Whole-of-Market Exterior Cleaning Company
At Alfresco Exterior Cleaning, we offer a range of professional roof cleaning methods, including the advanced Marshall Air Pro compressed air cleaning system.
This gives our experienced team a gentler way to remove heavy moss and debris from older and more delicate roof coverings, without relying on low pressure jet washing.
If you are researching roof cleaning and feel concerned about cracked tiles, water getting beneath the roof covering or costly damage, you are right to ask questions.
Not every roof should be cleaned in the same way. That is why every Alfresco roof cleaning quotation starts with a home assessment. We inspect the condition and type of roof first.
Then, we recommend the most suitable cleaning method for your home.
So, What Is the Best Way to Clean Your Roof?
The best roof cleaning method is the one that suits your property.
It should consider the roof covering.
It should consider the condition.
In addition, it should consider safe access, nearby landscaping and your expectations.
That is why every Alfresco roof cleaning quotation starts with a home assessment.
We look.
We listen.
Then, we explain your options.
Because after 30 years of cleaning roofs across Oxfordshire, we have learnt that there is no single right way to clean every roof.
See What our clients say about us – CLICK HERE
There is simply the right solution for your roof.
https://vimeo.com/share/782bf032-36d4-4ae1-90e6-2ae6994ddb7e?share=copy&fl=tl&fe=ec
