How to Clean Your Roof Safely
A clean roof enhances your home's curb appeal, helps your home maintain a high market value and even improves your home's energy efficiency. Keeping your roof clean also extends the life of your roof and helps you diagnose problem areas before major damage occurs. However, roof cleaning is dangerous; a single fall can result in life-changing injuries and death. To prevent accidents, a homeowner may hire a team of professional cleaners or choose to employ safe methods to conduct the cleaning himself. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Ladder
- Slip-resistant shoes
- Safety harness
- Harness rope
- Cleaning supplies
- Hoisting rope
- Garden hose
- Helmet (optional)
Instructions
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Position a ladder against the eave of your roof. Choose a level site at one corner of your home, so you can work back from the opposite end of the roof to the ladder. Set the ladder up properly by locking braces into place to ensure the ladder does not try to close during use. Have an assistant hold the bottom of the ladder steady as you climb.
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Wear slip resistant shoes and work on a dry day when no threat of rain is impending. Wear a harness and tie-off to your chimney or a heavy object on the other side of the house to help prevent falls.
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Assemble the cleaning supplies you require for the specific type of roofing material. Install a simple rope system to hoist materials to the roof, as you should never try to carry items while climbing a ladder. Have your assistant throw a rope up to you and use the rope to pull your tools and cleaning supplies up to the roof. If the item is especially, have a second assistant help you pull the materials up. Leave the materials on the ladder end of your roof to prevent tripping on these items while you work.
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Clean out the gutter system, if one exists. A clogged gutter prevents water and cleaning solutions from effectively draining off the roof, making for more slick surfaces that may cause falls. Clean gutters by scooping debris out by hand from the top of a ladder and rinse out the gutters and spouts by spraying a garden hose through the gutters.
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Start at the opposite end of the roof and work your way back to the ladder. Stand either to the side of your work area or above your work area, ensuring you are always standing on a dry surface. Apply the cleaning solution, scrub the surface as necessary and rinse the roof in one small strip at a time. Repeat as you move towards the ladder, keeping your feet firmly balanced on dry surfaces of the roof. Have your second assistant reach you each tool and material you need as you clean, to prevent you from fumbling to exchange the items you need.
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Tips & Warnings
Clean your ladder rugs and ensure they are dry before use, as necessary.
Wear a helmet to protect your head in the event of a fall.
Do not clean the final strip of roof above your ladder. Instead, move to the other side of the roof and allow the first side to dry before returning to clean the remaining strip. Do this on the other side of the house as well to avoid standing on wet roof and prevent injuries.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
