Having a “roof over your head” is one of life’s necessities. Yet when it comes to home maintenance—other than replacing shingles or the entire roof—it’s an area homeowners typically neglect. 

Besides looking bad, a roof with black stains, green patches or moss growing in it can lead to leaks, mold spores and shingle and wood rot. Once you get to that level, you’re talking about serious dollars to fix or even replace an entire roof and potential health issues. That’s why a good roof cleaning, with a preventative treatment, is a smart course of action from a maintenance and aesthetic point of view.

A typical roof cleaning takes four to eight hours. To most effectively clean and treat your roof, the cleaning consists of low-pressure power washing, scrub down and treatment with a liquid zinc shield stain preventer to add a layer of protection to the roof. If you do treat your roof, be sure to hose off all plants and shrubbery are rinsed before and after the cleaning.

If you’re hiring an outside firm to do the cleaning, typically, the homeowner does not have to be there for service. The cost of the cleaning is usually based on the size of the roof and most companies offer free estimates.

Homeowners don’t have to let their roof be an eyesore or a potential health hazard. A good cleaning a treatment every other year can even prolong the life expectancy of the roof.