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When it’s hot in Tampa, it’s hot! But not only do you feel it, so does your roof. The intense heat coupled with the constant rain can lead to a never-ending moisture problem with roofs in the local area. You may be annoyed by the hot sticky weather but guess what isn’t? Moss and algae. While you’re trying to stay out of the heat, the moss and algae growing on your roof are probably having the time of their lives. The excessive heat and moisture in Florida will continue to feed the moss and algae until your roof has a colony of microorganisms living life out loud all over your roof. So, is roof cleaning worth it for a Tampa home? Undoubtedly it is. Here is why you must get it cleaned.
Homeowners seldom think about getting their roofs clean. However, the costs of not cleaning your roof will be much higher than cleaning it in the long run. Therefore, it would be a good idea to start a regular cleaning regimen to keep your roof clean.
One of the most important reasons to keep your roof clean is to keep it from being damaged. What looks like a simple stain may actually be a living organism known as Gloecapsa Magma. This stain is blue-green algae that form primarily on asphalt shingles feeding on the limestone within them. These algae can cause shingles to break, curl, or warp and expose the decking to water which can cause wood rot. Another living organism that causes problems for your roof is moss. Typically, this organism takes root in the shingles and starts to grow. As they spread roots, this causes the shingles to detach and break or fall off. Broken, warped, or missing shingles expose the sheathing and slowly erode it, leading to costly damages.
Another important reason is that your homeowner’s insurance and your roof warranty depend on it. Many homeowners believe that their insurance or warranty will cover their leaks should they get them. In some cases, they will. However, in the case of negligence, which includes not getting regular roof inspections and not cleaning your roof, your insurance or warranty may not cover damages. Most insurance companies and roof contractors know that failure to clean the roof leaves it open to damage from algae and moss. Therefore, if they see signs that the roof has been neglected and is full of these organisms, they may not honor claims.
One more critical reason is that it will keep the critters away. One of the best spots for pests to hang out in your house is on your roof and in your gutters. Rodents love creating nests in downspouts. Hornets love to build nests along drip edges and gutters. So if you have noticed that your house has more insects or furry creatures getting in, then it’s probably because your roof and gutters need cleaning.
So, what is the cost of not cleaning your roof? Besides unnecessary aggravation, not cleaning your roof can lead to high repair costs, ranging from $956 to $1,566 for things like repairing leaks, fixing shingles, or cleaning gutters. If your leak has damaged the interior of your home, expect to pay $315 to $381 to patch up your ceiling. Leaks may not be your only issue. Decking that has gone bad due to long-term neglect may warrant a roof replacement which can run between $5,570 to $11,415. This may include shingles, decking, new gutters, flashing, and several other things. If you have pest problems, removing rodents may cost between $150 to $500, while wasp removal may run $100 to $1,300. And keep in mind, your roof damages may not be covered by insurance. Therefore, you will have to pay for all of these costly problems out-of-pocket.
Now that the bad news is out of the way, on to the better news. The national cost to clean a roof ranges between $300 and $600. However, many factors may drive this cost up or down in the Tampa area. Typically, it would help if you got your roof cleaned annually. But, if you cannot get your roof cleaned annually for any reason, you shouldn’t go any longer than two years. A roof cleaning company in Tampa can clean away your moss and algae and can even install treatments, such as zinc or copper linings, that will keep it from coming back as often. This cost is a small price to pay compared to neglecting your roof.
So, again, is it really worth it to get a roof cleaning in Tampa? Absolutely, it is! Getting and keeping your roof clean at regular intervals will minimize the stress and unnecessary roof repair costs. It will also prevent other problems such as pests and the overgrowth of moss, lichen, and algae. Tampa Bay Roof Cleaning has over 20 years of experience in all roof cleaning services. Call to have all of your questions answered about professional power washing or to request a complimentary quote.