Roof tiles protect your home from the extreme weather conditions we often experience here in Australia, acting as a barrier against rain and hail. Not only do they insulate the property and improve energy efficiency, but the beautiful architectural design of concrete and terracotta roof tiles also adds a striking dimension to your home’s exterior.
Keeping the roof tiles’ surface free from moss, damage, and discolouration helps to maintain this visual and functional impact, which is why investing in regular roof cleaning is so important. But how do you keep those brittle terracotta roof tiles in top-notch condition for years to come?
From preparation to pressure washing, find out exactly how a regular roof cleaning process works, and what you can do to extend the lifespan of your home’s exterior structures.
Do I Need to Clean Roof Tiles?
Along with sweeping the yard, mowing lawns, and washing cars, cleaning your roof tiles is an outdoor chore that shouldn’t be neglected, especially when it comes to maintaining the curb appeal of your home.
Moss, algae, mildew, and mould grow on your roof in damp conditions, even if parts of the exterior aren’t in the shade, which can cause water to become trapped on the tiles. This moisture will then begin to feed on your roof shingles, leading to decay and weakening the overall structural integrity of your home.
The Roof Cleaning Process
How often you should clean your tiles depends on the materials they’re made from; for instance, terracotta roof tiles generally require maintenance once per year to get rid of visible moss and mould, while concrete tiles can be left for 2 to 3 years.
To ensure a thorough and safe clean, while also preventing corroded or broken tiles, follow this five-step process:
1. Safety
Before starting any roof tile cleaning job, considering safety is paramount. Chemicals and water on the roof can create an incredibly slippery surface, so be sure to install a safety guard rail around the perimeter to protect against falls. Position a ladder in a safe place away from gutters or eaves, and lock it into place with sandbags or wedges.
Once your roof is set up, ensure that you’re correctly kitted out for the job. Use protective equipment including a safety rope, glasses, and rubber gloves to protect your hands from harsh chemicals, plus shoes with a good level of grip.
2. Inspect the Roof
Next, you’ll need to thoroughly check your roof for any cracked sarking, window edges, tiles, caulk, or flashings, and get these fixed before beginning the roof wash.
When cleaned, especially with a pressure washing machine, water can leak through any of these cracks into your property, causing mould growth, stained walls, foul odours, and an overall weakening structure.
3. Preparation
As well as preparing the roof itself, you’ll also need to consider the area around your home. Water, chemicals, dirt, and mould will flow off as you scrub or pressure clean roof tiles, so move any furniture, put down a tarp, and alert any surrounding properties to potential mess before starting the job.
4. Pressure Washing
Manual cleaning with a rag can be an effective method of roof cleaning, but using a pressure washing machine saves significant time and hassle. Using medium pressure, hold the nozzle approximately 30 centimetres away from the tiles and the jet stream of water will begin to wash away any dirt, starting from the bottom up.
To clean terracotta roof tiles with more stubborn stains or moss growth, you may need to use a slightly higher pressure.
Wondering how to clean roof tiles without a pressure washer? These devices aren’t recommended for more brittle lead-based tiles, as the high pressure can cause their granular finish to wear off, therefore significantly reducing their lifespan.
Instead, make up a two-part solution of 50% water and 50% chemicals, including either hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, trisodium phosphate, or muriatic acid. Use an attachable garden sprayer to apply it to the roof, then scrub off any dirt with a brush.
Before allowing any chemical-based solutions to dry, rinse them off immediately to avoid corrosion of the roof tiles.
5. Anti-Moss Spray
Finally, mould and lichen on terracotta roof tiles should also be treated with a mould inhibitor, which prevents these fungi from growing back so quickly.
Add an anti-moss or fungicide treatment to the pressure washer, using the same method as before to distribute it across the roof tiles as soon as they are completely dry. Allow the solution to sink in for a few minutes, then wash it off with clean water.
Maintenance After Tile Roof Cleaning
While concrete and terracotta tiles are both pretty durable and easy to clean, they aren’t completely weather-resistant. Along with regular roof cleaning, you should also get your home’s exterior professionally inspected for damaged or broken tiles at least once or twice per year.
Getting these minor issues fixed quickly can save you significant amounts of time and money on bigger, more expensive repair jobs in the future, such as a complete repointing of your roof surfaces.
Another effective way of keeping your roof tiles clean and protected through all weathers is by installing a dry fixed roofing system, such as RapidRidge. Unlike traditional mortar, RapidRidge doesn’t degrade over time and requires minimal cleaning to hold your roof ridges in place. Plus, with added ventilation, this innovative system reduces heat transfer through the ceiling to reduce your energy costs.
Discover how to minimise maintenance and prolong the lifespan of your roof tiles on the RapidRidge website.