Dirty roof? It’s inevitable. Your roof's purpose is to keep rain, dirt, and debris from coming into your home.
By doing its intended job, it becomes the most exposed to the buildup of debris, along with other marks, stains, mold, and moss. As time goes by, this accumulation can lead to major repairs due to serious damage, which is why it is incredibly important for a roof to be regularly cleaned.
Roof cleaning is not necessarily cheap, but can save tens of thousands of dollars in the long run. By regularly cleaning your roof, you can ensure that you eke out every bit of life your roof has to offer before needing to be replaced, which means fewer roof replacements over time.
But how much does it cost to clean a roof? Read more to find out!
Average Cost to Clean a Roof
Roof cleaning costs can range anywhere from $300 to $600, with an average of around $400 nationwide. Of course, many factors go into pricing a roof cleaning.
First off is the size of a roof. Roof cleaning costs anywhere between $.20 to $.60 per square foot. If your roof is steeper, you will often find that roof cleaning services will charge more because of how much pitch can complicate things.
Other factors in pricing are:
- Location
- Type of Cleaning Service
- Company
1. Cost by Method
There are many different ways that roof cleaning can be done. Cleaning companies will use various methods to treat a roof based on what works best for the roof they are cleaning.
Maybe you just need your roof blown off (which can cost anywhere from $.05 to $.10 per square foot.), or maybe you need a chemical treatment($.20 to $.30 per square foot) and a power wash($.20 to $.70 per square foot.) to take on a seriously dirty roof.
Some of the most used methods for roof cleaning are:
- Roof Blow: ($.05-$.10 per Sq Ft) This is where a cleaning service will simply take a leaf blower and blow away any leaves or debris that may be on the surface.
- No Pressure Roof Cleaning: Learn more about that here!
- Zinc Oxide: ($.05-$.15 per Sq Ft) This method is used to break down moss and lichen and prevents them from growing on your roof.
- Chemical Wash: ($.05-$.15 per Sq Ft) Chemical washes such as lye or sodium hydroxide kill lichen and algae.
- Pressure Wash: ($.20-$.70 per Sq Ft) Pressure washing is one of the most effective ways to get rid of debris, dirt, and stains, as well as some moss and algae.
- Power Wash: ($.20-$.70 per Sq Ft) Power washing takes pressure washing to the next level by adding extreme heat to your water. This not only breaks down debris but also kills moss and lichen.
- Soft Wash:($.30-$.75 per Sq Ft) Softwashing is similar to pressure washing but uses low pressure and involves chemicals such as bleach to break down any moss lichen or algae, followed by a rinse.
2. Costs By Material
Because of the variety of materials that roofs are made from, the right form of cleaning does not just rely on the method but on how each method reacts to a material. Each material requires specific methods so that damage doesn't occur while maximizing the effect of the cleaning method.
Some examples of this are:
- Rubber roofs typically do not develop plants but can become dirty. Chemical washes such as diluted bleach are the best option.
- Metal Roofs are strong and can withstand pressure washing or power washing.
- Asphalt Shingles are best cleaned by using the soft wash method
- Clay roofs require soft washing, as clay can be damaged by a pressure washer.
3. Moss Treatment
Moss can be devastating to a roof. Because moss can grow fast and captures moisture, it can cause your roofing to degrade quickly. This is why we recommend that moss removal should be done sooner rather than later.
The moment moss you find moss on your roof is the moment that you should call a professional to remove it. Moss removal is typically included in the price of a cleaning involving chemicals and soft washing.
In addition to moss removal, several products can prevent moss from coming back. These treatments can cost anywhere between $150 to $250 but can help save money over time.
4. Additional Treatments
In addition to cleaning and moss treatment, several enhancements and improvements can be made to lengthen the life of your roof. From stain blocking solutions to roof painting, roof cleaners can do just about anything you need to maintain your roof.
We hope that we have demystified the variety of roof cleaning options as well as the average price per service. Of course, these costs can vary depending on the area in which you live and the demand for services in that area.
If you are looking for a roof cleaning, Cates Pressure Washing uses a variety of different methods, including No Pressure Roof Cleaning, to take care of any mold, mildew, stains, and more that you may find on your roof. Contact Cates Pressure Washing today to schedule your next roof cleaning!