Roofs get dirty over time due to the accumulation of dust, mold, and tree saps. In addition, snow build up on the roof poses a risk of structural damage.
Which is why cleaning your house roof is important to ensure that it lasts for a long time. But this is not an easy task. Mishaps can happen when cleaning the roof which can result in serious injuries. In this blog post, our Huntsville roofing experts have shared safe roof cleaning tips for the residents.
1. Use a Sturdy Ladder
The foremost tip for safe roof cleaning is to use a sturdy ladder. A lot of injuries happen due to using an old ladder. You must ensure that the ladder rings are not worn down. Consider buying a metal ladder as it is safer as compared to a wooden ladder.
You should also use a ladder standoff device. The device will stabilize the ladder when you go up and down the ladder. Also, you should make sure that there is a helper at the bottom of the ladder to secure it.
Lastly, you should consider extending the ladder up to two to three feet above the edge of the roof. This will make it easier for you to climb up and down the roof surface.
2. Work on One Section at a Time
The risk of an injury is high when you try to clean the entire roof. You must divide the roof area into different sections. Dividing the roof area into sections will allow you to focus on thoroughly cleaning one section before moving on to another. This will greatly reduce the risk of injury when cleaning the roof.
3. Wear the Right Clothing
A lot of accidents occur due to exposure to the sun for a long time. Prolonged exposure to the sun can lead to a heat stroke. You can lose consciousness and fall from the roof. To avoid heat stroke, it is important to wear loose clothing.
You should also try to wear a long brimmed cap when cleaning the roof to reduce exposure to harmful rays of the sun. Also, you should cover your body to prevent exposure to harmful UV rays.
Also, you must wear shoes with rubber soles. Rubber adheres well to the roof which will reduce the risk of falling when cleaning the roof.
5. Protect from Chemical Exposure
Wearing gloves and eye goggles is important to protect against exposure to harmful cleaning chemicals. You should consider wearing heavy-duty gloves for the best protection. In addition, it is important to wear long sleeved shirts and pants to avoid exposure to harmful cleaning agents.
6. Environmental Protection
You should protect not just yourself but also keep the environment in mind when cleaning the roof. Make sure that you use cleaning products that are safe for the environment. You must not just let the water run down the drain after using a chemical or other cleaning agents. You should also follow federal and state regulations in handling dirty water.
In addition, it is important to use cleaning solutions that won’t damage the plants or trees. You should take proper measures to protect the plants when cleaning the roof with cleaning chemicals.
Conclusion
Roof cleaning is important to ensure that it lasts for a long time. Without regular roof maintenance, your roof will get damaged beyond repair. Considering the high cost of new roof installation, you must clean your roof to extend its lifespan.
You should contact professional Huntsville roofers for roof cleaning. Experienced Huntsville roofers use protective equipment and take appropriate safety precautions to clean the roof without any mishap.