How To Wash A Slate Roof

Regular roof cleaning is critical for your roof as slate is easy to cleave and water absorbent.

How to wash a slate roof.

When spraying start at the top of your roof and work down toward the gutters so the debris is headed in the right direction. This gives your roof an ugly look and it is bad for the state of the roof as well. Our customer used a basic solution of simple green dish soap water. While you might be tempted to reach for a strong chemical or a pressure washer it s better to leave them behind and give your slate roof a little tender loving care.

Such harsh chemicals are incompatible with the copper. The slates are 9 years old and had a build up of moss algae compounded by tree sap. Buildup of moss and debris on slate roofs hold moisture in the slates that can split them during winter. Regular cleaning is an important part of keeping a slate roof in working order.

Most slate roofs tend to be older so it is safe to assume that any slate roof is fragile and prone to damage. Both artificial slates and natural slates have to deal with moss and pollution in the long run. Any form of weight can crack or break a slate tile so no homeowner or roof cleaning professional should ever walk on the roof. Once your roof dries fill the pressure washer with an anti moss or fungicide solution and spray the.

If your household water pressure isn t enough to generate the proper nozzle pressure at the jets the manufacturer recommends boosting it. Small amounts of dirt are usually not a problem as opposed to when large parts of the roof are covered with moss. When cleaning a slate roof don t use chemicals like ammonia or chlorine bleach. He chose an eco product purposefully because of all the run off from the roof onto.

For one having the. Set up a ladder so you can access the roof. Run a hose fitted with a spray nozzle up to the roof. To clean a tile roof use a pressure washer to spray the roof with plain water to dislodge any loose dirt or debris.

Debris and moss buildup hold moisture in the slates that can split them during winter freezes. The photo above shows a slate roof during a cleaning. Clean slate roofs in hot weather so they dry fast or at least on a clear day with plenty of sunlight. There s good reason why people desire them despite the hefty price tag.