Roof Reviver Tips for the Novice

It’s not hard to be a roof reviver. It takes work, but your roof will thank you, and so will your wallet, as you won’t need to pay for a new roof anywhere nearly as quickly. Even if you’re a novice, you can be a very effective roof reviver. All you need to know is what to do.

1. Mold

There’s no single type of roof mold. It covers several different types of algae that can build up on the roof. Roof mold looks ugly, and that’s a good reason to get rid of it. More importantly, though, is the fact that roof mold can eat away at the shingles and cause damage, meaning some area, if not the entire roof, will need to be replaced.

To be a real roof reviver, you need to eliminate the mold as soon as you see it. There are several products on the market that will do the job. In most cases, you’ll need to be up on the roof in order to apply them. Look at the products before you buy. Some contain potentially harmful chemicals, while others are non-toxic and can cause no damage. These products will find their way into the groundwater, so you need to be responsible.

2. Gutters

Part of being a good roof reviver is keeping the gutters clean. They should be cleaned out annually, usually in the fall. Doing this allows water to flow freely in the gutters and the downspouts. This will stop ice from building up and possibly lifting the shingles. You will need to be up on a ladder to clean out the gutters. If you put guards on the gutters, this will help keep leaves and debris out in the future. While doing this cleaning, make sure you remove all branches and debris from the roof itself. This can stop ice forming in the winter, which could damage the roof.

3. Trees

A simple way to be a good roof reviver is to look at the area around your house. If there are trees with branches that overhang the roof, lop off these branches. It will stop leaves falling on the roof and could potentially stop greater damage if the branches were to fall on the house.

4. Roof Cleaning

A good roof reviver will clean the roof once a year. Use a mix of detergent (soap powder flakes), bleach, and hot water. Put this into a garden sprayer that’s been completely cleaned. Get up on the roof and spray on the shingles, making sure you cover all of them.

Make sure you do this on a cool, overcast day. It’s important that the mixture doesn’t dry too quickly. Start from the top and spray down. When you’ve finished spraying, use a scrub brush on the roof to clean off all the dirt and debris. Don’t let the roof dry out while you work. Once you’ve finished, you should use your hose to spray the entire roof with clean water to rinse it.