You want your roof to last long and look beautiful. The best way to do this is to keep your roof clear of debris and clean before going into the inclement weather of winter and to recover afterwards, once you hit spring.

The need for regularly cleaning and maintenance is essential for all metal roofs, shingle roofs, tile roofs, and flat and low slope roofs. Here are some cleaning tips for whatever roof you have over your head.

Get Rid of Debris

Start by clearing off debris that gathers in gutters, on flat surfaces and in drainage points, where you’ll get, for the most part, organic material, including leaves, branches and dirt. Use a stiff-bristled broom and brush in the direction of the shingles so you don’t make them rise up. For the gutters, you’ll have to put on working gloves and use your hands to scoop out the gunk, perhaps using a hose to clear away smaller debris.

Whether you are working on a flat or low-slope roof or a steep metal one, you will need to follow safety precautions. These include working with a sturdy ladder, using a spotter, wearing anti-slip boots and perhaps even put on a helmet or hard hat. For steep-pitched roofs, you also may want to consider using a harness.

Use the Right Cleaning Solution

If you don’t turn to professionals to clean your roof – killing algae and mold – you can do it yourself, using a dedicated roof cleaning solution or one you mix together. For example, you can combine four gallons of hot water with heavy-duty bleach and four to six ounces of dish soap, thickening the liquid so it doesn’t run off the roof quickly.

Pour the solution into a garden sprayer tank, with a long hose, and start spraying away. But do not use a power washer. It can actually damage your roof and shorten its lifespan as the high-pressure water stream removes granules on shingles, lifts shingles and potentially negates warranties.

Other Considerations

For the best cleaning results, choose a humid, overcast day that’s not overly hot – lots of sun will dry the cleaning solution before it does its algae- and mold-killing trick.

Since you don’t want to slip on the slick, soapy roof, you should clean it by sections, starting from the bottom and moving up as the detergent dries. This will ensure you always have a dry section to stand on.

Turn to Roofing Experts if You Need Repairs or Replacement

To get the best from metal roofs, shingle roofs, and flat-slope roofs requires regular cleaning and maintenance. If you need to have your roof repaired or replaced, our expert team at Digital Roofing Innovations includes six friendly sales and office staff, as well as 20 professional roofers. We strive to offer our customers in Decatur, Alabama, with the modern roofing solutions they need, results guaranteed.

For customers who choose to replace their roof with us, not only will you get the high-quality craftsmanship you would expect, you’ll also receive an AR-15 thanks to our “Buy a Roof, Get a Gun” deal. We appreciate our customers, and will do everything necessary to make you fall in love with your home once again.

Schedule an appointment with our roofing experts today by contacting us online, calling (256) 445-8835 or (256) 888-9879. You can also visit our office at:

322 N Walnut St,
Florence, AL 35630