You should not pressure wash your tile roof. Pressure washing a tile roof isn’t a good idea as it can prematurely age the roof. Instead, you should use a spray-on solution to clean your tile roof.
It’s important to keep your roof clean, no matter what material it’s made out of. Some homeowners think that washing a roof could actually damage it, but the opposite is in fact true. As long as you wash your roof using a method appropriate for its material, keeping it clean helps to not only improve the curb appeal of your home but also to minimize potential damage.
Why is pressure washing your roof a bad idea?
Pressure washing a tile roof will prematurely age the roof. One of the benefits of a tile roof is its durability and longevity, but pressure washing can diminish those benefits. If you wash your tile roof with a pressure washer, you may have to replace your roof much sooner than if you’d used a safer method.
However, even though pressure washing is not the best method, it is still recommended that your roof be cleaned.
Why do you need to clean your tile roof?
Grime and dirt can build up on your roof over time. This prevents the natural color of your tile from showing through. Cleaning it off can reveal the stunning original color of your tile and improve the overall appearance of your home.
Additionally, keeping your roof clean can help to prevent damage to it. If branches and dirt have built up on your roof, it’s possible for the tiles to crack or chip, which reduces their effectiveness in protecting your home. Cleaning your roof is also a good opportunity to inspect it for any damage.
We recommend more frequent cleaning for older roofs with cleanings every few years for newly installed roofs. It is also highly recommended that you hire a team of professionals to carry out roof cleaning rather than defaulting to DIY-ing the task yourself.
How should you wash your tile roof?
Instead of using a pressure washer on your tile roof, you should exclusively use a spray-on solution. Many home improvement stores sell roof-cleaning solutions that come in bottles that attach to your garden hose. For easier cleaning, you can attach a sprayer to the other end of the garden hose. The cleaning solution may be the same that you would have used in a pressure washer, but the sprayer is much gentler on your roof.
While you’re cleaning your roof, it’s a good idea to also clean out your gutters.
Can you walk on your roof to clean it?
It’s best to avoid walking on your roof unless you’re a professional roofer yourself. Walking on your roof yourself can be dangerous, especially if your roof has a steep pitch or you live in a two-story or taller home. It’s better to use a ladder and then a spray attachment on your hose to spray the cleaning solution onto your roof. Ultimately, the best option is to hire a professional roof cleaner and to avoid climbing onto your roof entirely.
Should you hire a professional?
Washing a tile roof can be tricky. Tiles could be damaged if you don’t wash them correctly. Plus, there’s the risk of injury if you do clean your roof yourself. Hiring a professional to clean your tile roof could help to minimize the risk of damage. Whether you clean your roof yourself or hire a professional to do so, it’s a good idea to have your roof professionally inspected for damage that you may miss yourself.