Whether you own a home or run a business in the Naples, Florida area, you know that building maintenance is an ongoing concern. From gutter cleaning to minor repairs, and from seasonal cleaning to touch up painting, there’s always a task that needs minding. While many tasks should be done on a regular basis, some tend to be out of mind as long as any potential problems remain out of sight.

Roof cleaning is one such task that tends to be ignored unless the roof is displaying obvious signs of dirt, grime, algae, mold, and mildew. Such evidence is a clear sign that it’s time to clean your roof. Those who ignore such evidence by failing to address it, compromise the longevity of their roofs. Mold, mildew, and algae feed on roofing materials, develop damaging root systems, and produce acidic waste that slowly breaks down roofing materials. Wind-blown sand, grit, and debris can also build up under shingles, roofing tiles, and other roof elements, which further encourages the growth of harmful organisms. 

What if There Are No Obvious Signs?

Unfortunately, mold, mildew, and algae initially start growing on a roof sight unseen. And in our humid climate, this can happen quickly. By the time it is visibly apparent it has already started to degrade the roofing materials. Thus, the best means of determining whether it’s time to clean your roof is with regular roof inspections. At a bare minimum you should have your roof inspected at least every three years—annually, if mold and mildew growth have been historically problematic.    

What is the Best Roof Cleaning Method for Fungal Growth?

While many people believe that power washing provides the best roof cleaning option, roof soft washing has emerged as the most effective method in Southwest Florida and beyond. Not to say that pressure cleaning is not an effective roof cleaning method, but it wasn’t specifically designed for the job. Its high pressure flows can damage roofing materials if not properly regulated. This is especially true with asphalt shingles in particular and older roofing materials in general. 

Soft washing was developed specifically for roof cleaning. It relies on powerful, eco-friendly chemicals that kill mold, mildew, algae, and other roof-degrading contamination. It includes a strong cleaning solution that dislodges dirt and grime, making your roof look like new. The soft wash process also leaves a growth-inhibiting residue on the roofing materials that helps prevent future fungal growth.

Some roofing materials may allow for a combination of cleaning methods, with targeted pressure cleaning for some areas and a follow-up soft wash for the entire roof to impede future fungal growth. Newer cedar shake shingles can also handle pressure cleaning with the lower pressure settings. However, this should be followed by fungal inhibiting soft washing and an application of oil conditioning.   

Consult with a Professional Naples, FL Roof Cleaner

With more than 25 years of professional home and business maintenance experience in the Naples, Florida area, FCI painting has a solid understanding of roofing construction and dynamics. This allows us to tailor the perfect roof cleaning plan for any home or business. To consult with us about your roof cleaning needs in the southwest Florida area, contact FCI Painting online, or by giving us a call at (239) 435-1001.