Over time dirt, debris, moss, and mold can build up on the roof of our house. It is the most continuously exposed surface to the weather and the sun. Not only does this accumulation of matter make the exterior of the home look bad, but it can also, if left long enough, cause severe damage.
How Much Does it Cost to Clean a Roof?
The short answer is that the average cost for cleaning a moderately sized roof in western North Carolina runs between $500 - $600. In reality, the price depends on many factors.
Square footage will play the most significant part in cost, but the cost of labor in the market, the type of roof you have, and the level of service required can significantly increase costs.
A good base number can come from your square footage, with costs running between $0.20 and $0.60 per square foot to start budgeting for a roof cleaning. Keep in mind the factors below that may affect your final cost. It may seem like a lot upfront, but proper maintenance can prevent you from needing a total roof repair.
Roof Features
The size of your roof isn’t the only factor that impacts price. Multistory homes and roofs that are steep or have a lot of gables to work around will all increase your cost of cleaning per square foot.
Budget an extra $0.10 per square foot if your roof has any of these features to account for the complexity and additional time needed for cleaning.
Roofs made of materials like wood, tile, or metal also have different cleaning requirements. A local professional can tell you if the material has service requirements that might affect your end price.
Cleaning Required
If your house is new or the roof was cleaned within the last two years, the level of cleaning to take care of built-up debris or moss may be minimal. Regular cleaning may mean you only need certain portions of the roof cleaned each time and can save money over the total cost of doing an entire roof.
The type of service needed or requested will also impact the cost. Soft washing alone, with a professional cleaning solution, or a combination of the two will all have different prices.
Preventative Measures
The location of your house may warrant the use of protective coatings. Roof seals can help reflect sunlight in sun-exposed homes or repel water in areas prone to rain.
If you have a house situated in a shady spot, you may consider coating the roof with an algaecide to help prevent algae and mildew build-up between cleanings. Special seals and treatments, on average, add about $500 to the cost of cleaning.
Hire Professionals
Roofs become damaged by debris and plants over time. Cleaning by professionals every few years can save you thousands in partial or complete roof replacement costs.
Having your roof cleaned and serviced if you live in a forested area is even more critical, as shade and frequent leaf piles will prevent your roof from drying out quickly, leading to moss and mold build-up.
Getting your roof cleaned is also a good time to consider servicing a few other exterior items on your home. If your roof was particularly dirty, it might be time to service your gutter system. Whatever was building up on the roof surface was also trying to run off or settle there.
Taking the time as budget allows you to do a complete exterior power wash and window clean can keep your entire home looking tidy and neat.
Avoid DIY Cleaning
It may be tempting to grab a commercially available power sprayer and climb up to save some money, but this can be a costly mistake. Not only is working on roofs extremely dangerous with the risk of falls, but you could inadvertently damage the roof.
Professional cleaners take care not to damage tiles or shingles, safeguard delicate surfaces, and use the correct cleaning methods. There is a distinct difference between power washing and soft washing typically used on roofs. A DIY roof cleaning kit will not be tailored to your home’s unique needs.
You are always better off using a professionally insured cleaner in your area.
HydroClean Services
With over 21 years of experience in the pressure washing industry, HydroClean serves the areas of Buncombe, Henderson, and Haywood counties. No matter how large or small your cleaning needs, we do it all.
Our professional soft washing with a biodegradable solution thoroughly cleanses and prevents the recurrence of mildew and algae on your home. Call or contact us to get started on a quote for cleaning your roof or other exterior surfaces.