Cleaning your roof tiles is an important part of maintaining the overall appearance and health of your home. Not only do dirty tiles look bad, they can also cause problems with water drainage that could lead to leaks inside your house. If you are looking for a quick and easy way to keep your roof clean, read on!
Roof tiles need to be washed at least once or twice a year or in some cases, they need to be washed much more than that depending on the material. So if you are wondering how to clean roof tiles you’ve come to the right place. While you may think that this chore is difficult or takes too much time, the truth is that roof tiles don’t require a lot of work; all you really need is some patience and elbow grease!
At first, the work process may seem wholesome. But in reality, it’s not, you need to figure out what you need and how to utilize them to clean the tile roof. You need to know what type of roof tiles was used on your roof and its cleaning procedure. Traditional concrete roof tiles, clay tile roofs and slate tiles are commonly used in the US plus a few more other types. For most tiles, the common method of cleaning is by using a scraper, water and a brush. However, you’ll need a few other things to clean the tiles thoroughly.
Let’s now take a look at what you’ll need and how to clean roof tiles effectively.
How to Clean Roof Tiles ?
Before you start, we highly recommend that you carefully read the manufacturer’s guide and maybe even talk to an expert for advice if needed. There are a variety of tiles that are crafted from different materials and feature different types of coating. So, the tile clean procedure will vary from one to another. That is why you should always first check the user manual of your tiles.
Also check out our mega guide on how to choose the best roof cleaner you’ll find it quite helpful
Tools That you’ll Need
You will need some simple tools in order to clean roof tiles. Below is the list of required equipment:
- Non-slip shoes
- Extension cord
- Rubber gloves
- Safety glasses
- Materials
- High-pressure cleaner
- Outdoor cleaner with a power sprayer
- Roof guard rails
Safety First
Although cleaning roof tiles is not that dangerous. A simple mistake can lead to a damaged roof or you might even hurt yourself. So you need to take care of everything to avoid any incidents.
So, before you start washing the tiles, ensure safety has been actively considered. Use personal protective equipment and other safety equipment. Get these things first,
- Fit a temporary safety rail
- Wear firm, non-slip boots
- Wear chemical protective gloves
- Wear wraparound safety glasses
- Safety line and harness
These safety tools are essential for any size and pitch of home/commercial space roof. The safety line and safety harness may not be required for all kinds of roofs and they are only needed for high pitched roofs where there’s a lot of algae growth and roof moss.
Algae/moss can make the surface extremely slippery. It’s best to work with a partner so that he can pass the tools and materials up onto the roof. Otherwise, you’d have to keep going up and down to get one tool and return the other, which would delay work and spoil your rocking mood and may even lead to accidents?
Disconnect Water Tanks and Clear Your Guttering
If the gutter system of your home is connected to the water storage tank, disconnect it before you start to clean since the tile cleaning procedure uses a lot of chemicals. If the water storage is combined with the guttering system, the compounds may somehow find their way into the storage.
If the gutter has not been cleaned for a while, you should clean it before you start to clean the roof. You can easily do it yourself using just a gutter brush. Furthermore, use a gutter guard if the gutter easily fills with debris.
Cleaning and Removing Roof Algae and Moss
Roof or wall tiles are often covered with moss or algae if it’s not cleaned for more than 3 months. Random moss spots here and there are easy to clear, but the excessive build-up of algae and moss is pretty hard to remove. Use a roof scraper to scrape the extra debris from the tiles. Also be careful to not damage the tiles. You can easily find many kinds of roof scrapers designed for scraping. Don’t use the crap that’s used for lawn scraping. Those could potentially damage the tiles.
Now that the thick moss and page pad is obliterated, apply an anti-moss spray. If your manufacturer has a particular recommendation for this job, feel free to buy that spray. If you don’t like chemical solutions you could also make a DIY spray if you want. Your tile roofs could be sensitive to particular chemicals. If there is any mention of a particular chemical, obviously avoid buying any spray that contains them.
Spray the bottle by walking away or backward from where it has been applied. Which means you should not step into the wet, treated surface. Once you are done spraying the moss killers let it rest for some time or as per the product’s recommendation to dry roof.
Use Water to Clean Your Roof Tiles
Now it’s time to wash away the anti-moss spray and other debris off the entire roof with clean water. Some people use high-pressure water spray to clean the tiles, but that can damage the tiles. It’s better to use a low pressure water hose and gentle brushes to clean the tiles thoroughly.
At this point, the tiles become wet and slippery. You better use all the personal and other safety equipment and get help from your partner.
Also remember…
If this technique doesn’t work on your roof tiles, then hold on a bit before you apply any harsh chemical without considering the consequences, you better consult with an expert to ask for help.
As you know, roof tiles are not something we use for a short amount of time. You will be using them for many more years to come and so it is important to consider the health of tile’s structural condition as it is both essential and beneficial for the future.
Its’ possible that there might be other changes needed to make the tiles entirely clean and shiny. Some people start to clean with a DIY cleaner made from a combination of vinegar and liquid soap and let the tiles soak for a while. That makes the cleaning quick and results in a much shinier surface.
BTW make sure to read the best roof underlayment for great advice on how to choose an underlayment for your roof.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I clean my roof tiles?
Yes you should clean your roof tiles. Roof tiles are often neglected when it comes to cleaning. Yet, they can accumulate dirt and debris that can cause leaks or other problems. If you want to avoid these types of issues in the future, then now is the time to start thinking about how you’re going to clean your roof tiles! Regular cleaning will stop mold spores, moss and algae organic growth and keep roof tiles clean.
How do you clean a tile roof without a pressure washer?
Most roofs are made of asphalt or concrete which can be pressure washed. That’s not the case with tiled roofs though. You can’t use a pressure washer or any other type of power cleaner, because it could damage your roof.
Use a low-pressure water hose and a brush to clean the roof so that it wont cause any damage. The soft bristles of the brush working in tandem with what appears like plain old tap-water; give surprisingly dramatic results!
Final Thoughts
After you are done cleaning the tiles, you should repair or replace the roof tiles that are chipped, cracked, or otherwise damaged.
Roof tiles like synthetic roof tiles, metal roof tiles, lightweight roof tiles and others are easy to extend or repair. Many cleaning service companies repair damaged tiles for minimum cost. Fixing the roof is not a luxury but a necessity, so do consider it.
So now you know how to clean roof tiles, which has been a burning question for ages. Cleaning tiles is a simple procedure. Simply gather the brush, scraper, and other required materials. Within a few hours, you should be able to clean rooftop tiles as new; without the assistance of any roof cleaning service providers or professional roof cleaner.