GFWC Indiana - Cleaning & Home Improvement

Most of the concern when talking about pressure washing services is focused on the increased curb appeal and resale value of the home involved. But another huge benefit to any type of pressure washing service performed on a home or property is that the cleaning will reduce future repairs costs.

It is a fact that mold, algae, mildew, dirt, and grime have a harmful effect on surfaces around your house and property. Vinyl siding, shingle roofs, decks, concrete patios, driveways and many other surfaces have been damaged and had to be replaced prematurely due to neglect. People are surprised to know that most houses have mildew on them if they are more than a few years old and have not been cleaned recently.

Look on the underside of your gutters, do you see black spots? That is mildew and it will also collect on the vinyl siding normally right underneath the overhang where it is mostly shaded. Some home’s have green stains on their siding appearing on the north side of the house. This is commonly referred to as mold but it is actually an airborne algae which also appears as black streaks on shingle roofs. These contaminants thrive in moist humid climates and the only way to stop their damaging effects is with a regular exterior cleaning.

These natural contaminants can also find their way into your home through open windows, roof vents, and vented attic overhangs. They can cause health issues for those suffering from algae. They will also spread on the exterior of the home diminishing the curb appeal and value. But most of all, they cause homeowners thousands of dollars in premature failures and replacements. Their negative effects decrease your building material’s longevity resulting in costly future repairs that could have been avoided.

Homeowners in the St. Louis area are always challenged to find good companies to perform services on their homes. Many homeowners always call several contractors just to get only a few to call them back, and maybe just a couple to show up for an estimate.

Finding a roof cleaning St. Louis Company is no different. Many homes in St. Louis are beginning to develop algae on their shingles. This alga is usually predominately on the north side of the home. Many times, this takes away from the curb appeal of the home. Homeowners often wonder if their roof needs to be replaced because of those stains. Unfortunately, there are several roofing companies that tell the homeowner yes, and take thousands of dollars out of the pockets of homeowners when for a fraction of the cost, the roof could have been cleaned to get rid of those roof stains.

Roof cleaning is a low pressure cleaning process that safely and gently removes roof stains and take care of the eyesore roof algae creates. A professional roof cleaning St. Louis Company will first treat your roof with a roof cleaning detergent using low pressure, usually about the pressure of a garden hose. Once the roof is treated, the detergent needs about ten to fifteen minutes to kill the algae. A good sign is color. If you notice, the stains on your roof right now are black. Once the algae are killed, it will turn to a brown color.

Once the treatment process is done, a good rinsing is needed to flush the dead algae off of the roof, and make your roof look new again.

Never use a pressure washer on your roof. Pressure washers will damage the granules on your shingles, knocking them off. Then you will need a costly roof replacement. Pressure washers cause too much damage because many think it’s the pressure that cleans. This is not true in roof cleaning. It’s the detergents that clean and do the work to restore your roof to looking like new.

Also, never try roof cleaning yourself. Professional roof cleaning companies have the tools, the ladders, and the proper equipment to safely and effectively clean your roof. Many people get hurt every year trying to clean roofs without the knowledge. For example, with cleaning there are hoses on your roof. One misstep and you could step on a hose, and the hose will roll out from underneath you, causing you to fall.