Typical home maintenance practices, such as cleaning your roof and gutter, happen every now and then, as these are crucial for the utmost comfort of your living space. However, it can be challenging to know whether you should do these endeavors yourself or hire a roof cleaning service. Both options offer advantages and disadvantages that will dictate your overall level of satisfaction.
This blog post will discuss the pros and cons of DIY roof cleaning versus hiring a professional service. We will also provide tips on how to clean your roof and gutters safely and effectively. Stay tuned!
DIY Roof and Gutter Cleaning
Pros
- Excellent money saver: Cleaning your roof and gutter yourself is a great way to save money on cleaning services. With your fundamental knowledge in cleaning and using standard tools, like a broom, ladder, roof cleaner, and garden hose, you can undertake the cleaning on your own.
- At your own pace: Cleaning allows you to enjoy the process in your own time and leisure. You can even work on roof cleaning during a slow weekend or afternoon off rather than booking a roof cleaning service for roof maintenance.
Cons
- Safety risks: Without proper roof cleaning knowledge and equipment, you risk slipping and falling. It is best to know your roof well before attempting any roof-cleaning task.
- Pricey rentals: If you’re planning to rent equipment for your cleaning, it might even cost a lot, which takes the art of money-saving in DIY.
- You might cause damage: Without roof cleaning experience, you may accidentally damage roofing shingles or other roofing materials, shortening their lifespan and requiring repairs that could cost you more.
- Need to avoid unforeseen problems: DIY roof cleaning also limits your ability to pick up on roofing problems that could have been easily solved with simple, professional roof repairs.
- Inefficient cleaning pattern: Without roof cleaning experience, it is hard to identify which areas need special treatment when cleaning your roof. This might cause you to apply more roof cleaner than necessary and miss certain spots that need attention.
Simple Tips on DIY Roof and Gutter Cleaning
- Know more about it: Educate yourself on roof cleaning safety and techniques before attempting to clean your roof. This way, you know what to do in case an accident happens or if you find roofing issues during your maintenance.
- Wear the right gear: Wear clothes that cover your entire body, protective eyewear, and roof-cleaning-friendly shoes when going up on the roof to clean.
- Use a ladder stabilizer: A ladder stabilizer is an essential piece of equipment when climbing a roof. This prevents the ladder from slipping and causing severe injuries and damage.
- Check roofing materials first: Check roofing materials for any damage or wear and tear that require roof repairs before cleaning your roof.
- Use roof cleaners: Opt for lower pH levels, such as 5-7, as they will not strip away the roof’s protective layers.
Hard Truth About DIY Roof Maintenance
DIY roof maintenance can seem like a great way to save money but, unfortunately, it often ends up costing more in the long run. Roofs are complex systems that require special tools and knowledge to maintain properly — something that most DIYers simply don’t have. Without professional help, it’s easy to miss signs of damage and make mistakes that will only cost more money to fix in the future.
Furthermore, DIY roof maintenance often overlooks important safety concerns. Working on a roof can be dangerous, and without proper training, it’s easy for an untrained individual to cause serious injury to themselves or someone else. By hiring a team of professional exterior specialists at Mighty Dog Roofing, you’re assured that your roof is handled by a licensed and experienced team who can ensure your project is done right.
Hiring a Roof and Gutter Cleaning Service
Pros
- When done right the first time: Hiring roof cleaning services assures you that your roof will be cleaned correctly and promptly. You won’t have to worry about doing it again or repairs due to incompetence, as these pros will ensure the job is done correctly.
- Safety: Professional roof cleaners are knowledgeable and experienced, so they know how to properly climb up a roof and move around without risking their safety or roof damage.
- Cost-effective: Although cleaning services may have higher upfront costs, you can save up on roof and gutter cleaning, inspection, repair, and replacement costs in the long term and even prevent sudden expenses.
- Free time: Professional roof cleaners know how to handle roof cleaning and maintenance. This means that you could take time off and spend your free hours doing whatever else you like while they do all the roofing work.
Cons
- Relatively high pricing: Hiring roof cleaning services means you’ll have to pay more than when doing the job yourself.
- Choosing the wrong cleaning professionals: You need to make sure that roof cleaners are experienced and certified professionals. Failing to do so may lead to unjust expenses and substandard finishes.
Choosing the exemplary roof cleaning service
Finding the perfect package and cleaning partner might seem intimidating at first. Still, you can always check roofer portfolios, reviews, and roofing certifications to ensure you are hiring professionals with roof cleaning skills. Additionally, you should ensure that they have the suitable license and insurance to operate. Also, roof maintenance sessions could be required twice a year or as needed depending on the severity of roof damage.
Our Final Say
The roof that protects your home from the elements needs a proper cleaning process and maintenance to keep its structural integrity intact. The decision between DIY roof cleaning and hiring professional roof cleaners is up to you. Still, it always pays off to invest in quality roofing services. Plus, roof cleaning services usually come with inspections that can help you detect any roofing issue before it gets too severe.
