How to Clean Roof Shingle Stains

Phil's Main Roofing 

26 Fitch Street, Norwalk CT

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

Have you hung up your holiday lights yet? If so, you may have noticed that the shingles on your roof are stained. With a sunny weekend ahead of us, you might want to head outside and take care of the mess. Not sure where to begin? Don’t worry - we’ve got you covered!

Below are a few tips to keep in mind when it comes to cleaning your shingles:

Use the right chemicals
Do you spy algae stains? Typically, you can remove them using a mixture of chemicals, such as trisodium phosphate, bleach, and water. However, it’s important to not overuse these harsh chemicals, as they can shorten the lifespan of your shingles.

Grab the necessary tools
Once you settle on the right cleaning products to get rid of those unwanted roof stains, here are a few tools you will need to grab prior to cleaning: 

• Garden hose (with spray nozzle)
• Old clothing
• Gripping shoes
• A ladder

Be safe
Not only will you need the necessary chemicals and tools to clean those stains off your shingles, but you will also need protective gear. For instance, be sure to wear rubber gloves and goggles to keep your hands and eyes safe from dirt and debris. 

Take preventative measures
One of the best steps you can take to protect your roof from algae and other types of stains is to take preventative measures. For example, once your roof is clean, install a strip of copper or zinc coated sheet metal on each side of your roof and below the ridge.

For more tips on how to clean roof shingle stains, click here.

If you're looking for a trusted roofing contractor to help you get rid of those pesky roof stains, contact Phil’s Main Roofing! Our cleaning and maintenance programs are top of the line and will leave you with the cleanest roof in your neighborhood. For more information, visit us at www.philsmainroofing.com or give us a call at (203) 838-4545 today!

Three Ways You Are Harming Your Home

Phil's Main Roofing 

26 Fitch Street, Norwalk CT

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

Clean this, replace that - whether you've been a homeowner for several years or are new to the housing scene, we're sure you've heard the word "maintenance" a slew of times and have probably even been told about the important role it plays in the success you have while living in your home. But even when you follow the most strategic and routine maintenance plans such as changing your air conditioner's filter in the summer and winterizing your pipes to prevent a disaster in the winter, it's easy to let certain things slide and therefore, harm your home (even when it's unintentional).

Since your home is likely one of your biggest investments, we at Phil's Main Roofing know that the last thing you would want is for it to be damaged due to a small oversight on your part; that's why we've compiled a list of three ways that you can harm your home so that you know what actions to be aware of:

1. Power Washing: Though it is one of the easier methods to use when cleaning the exterior of your home, it can leave you with a sore sight if not done properly. For example, if the setting is too high and water is hitting your home too hard, paint can start to peel and siding can start to come loose and be displaced. Even for a surface as tough as brick, power washing could cause scratches when done incorrectly! And don't forget about its impact on your roof - using high pressure power washers to clean roof stains can be damaging to your shingles and isn't necessarily always effective as it is!
2. Planting: Of course it's nice to have some shady spots around your home, but when trees grow to tall heights and have branches leaning up against the exterior of your home, you just might be in trouble! Since sharp branches can scratch your windows, siding and roof shingles, it's important to be aware of where you're planting and know how tall certain plants and trees will grow if they are in close proximity to your home. Not to mention, you wouldn't want a tree toppled over on your roof in the event of a serious storm, would you?
3. Poor Planning: When was the last time you cleaned your gutters? And we mean really cleaned - as in you pulled out the ladder and climbed up to your roof to remove dirt and debris by hand, followed by a nice spritz from your garden hose. Even though they may seem like a small component of your roofing system, gutters are so important due to the way that they divert rainwater away from your home. If you're in need of some gutter cleaning tips, we covered a few in one of our recent posts.

Although we've mentioned your roof in each of these examples, we hope you haven't forgotten about the importance of maintaining your roof in general! For example, if you find a leak in your roof it is critical that you have it repaired right away to prevent further structural damage. Same goes for missing shingles or stains! By repairing and cleaning right away, you can help keep your roof in good shape for years to come.

For information on how Phil's Main Roofing can help with routine roof maintenance, cleaning and more, please visit www.philsmainroofing.com or call (203) 838-4545 today.

Spring Cleaning For Your Roof

Phil's Main Roofing 

26 Fitch Street, Norwalk CT

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

Cleaning around your home is likely already a part of your daily or weekly routines, but spring cleaning is where you have the opportunity to really show your home what you're made of. That's right, it's time to break out the elbow grease! Aside from your usual vacuuming and dusting, now is when you should be doing a thorough cleaning of all of the rooms (and we really do mean all) as well as the exterior of your home. 

The following details four things that you should be looking for when you finally make it to your roof:

Mold | If you have any discoloration on your roof or notice discolored streaks, there is a good chance mold is the culprit. To remove it and prevent it from spreading further, you'll need the right cleaning solutions or the help from a professional like us! But remember, if you choose to clean things up yourself, never power wash your shingles.

Leaves | A leaf here and there isn't necessarily a bad thing; it's when they start to pile up that you need to be concerned. Since leaves are notorious for holding moisture, they threaten your roof by their ability to encourage the spread of mildew.

Moss | Moss is a common result of a moist roof. As you survey your roof during your spring cleaning efforts, keep an eye out for any signs of moss growth. If it's visible, you'll need to use the proper chemicals to rid your roof of it, or, like we said for mold, contact a professional like Phil's Main Roofing to help!

When it comes to your roof, you can never be too hands on. Even though spring cleaning only happens once a year, we recommend checking up on it as often as possible to ensure that it is as clean and tidy as can be.

Ready to spring forward with your cleanest roof yet? If you're looking for a team to complete the job or simply want a second set of eyes to look over what you have already done, contact us today! our cleaning and maintenance programs are top of the line and will leave you with the cleanest roof on the block. For more information, visit us at www.philsmainroofing.com or give us a call at (203) 838-4545 today!