We power wash roof surfaces to remove stains and mildew all over Maryland.  What most people don't know is it can also cause thousands of dollars in damage when you power wash if it's not done properly.  Most people believe using 3,000 - 4,000 psi to power wash is the fastest and most effective way to get the job done.  That amount of pressure can destroy roofing or force water under the shingles causing leaks, mildew and in some cases, blow it off the house!    
When you power wash roofing it's important you don't use pressure to remove the built up dirt and mildew use the proper chemicals instead.
  Henry’s Housework is one of the most experienced and trained company in Maryland, we have been providing power washing services for over 15 years for more than 13,000 residential and commercial properties. 
We have taken the time to educate our employees in numerous certification programs and hands on training.  This dedication is what puts us among the leaders in the power wash industry across the country. 
For more information about cleaning roofs, or anything you want to power wash, give us a call at 301-216-9675.

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Roof Cleaning --Asphalt Shingles

By Henry Bockman

Roof cleaning of asphalt shingle roofs are a fairly new niche market that many pressure washing companies have started to notice. The process of cleaning asphalt shingle roofs is fairly simple if you educate yourself on how roofs are installed, possible problems and situations to avoid and what type of stains you need to remove.
Most pressure washing companies that begin roof cleaning find that there is a considerable amount of technique and skill when cleaning roofs. Any contractor that performs roof cleaning should be aware of roofs are installed, failure to understand roof installation methods can cause thousands of dollars in damages from a pressure washing contractor.
Its imperative that the pressure washer use extremely low pressure to avoid damaging the shingles and that the roof is inspected prior to the commencement of the job. Remember, most pressure washers used in roof cleaning use a minimum of 4 GPM and as much as 10 GPM!. So it is easy to understand why knowledge of roofing installation and a roof inspection is necessary when you consider the amount of water that could enter the structure during roof cleaning.


Now that you understand the basicsof roof installation it is equally important to know the other structures on the roof and their function to avoid causing leaks around them. For identification purposes, pictures of these parts can be found on the roofing page of our web site at http://www.henryshousework.com/HHW/roof_repair.html Most roofing materials are installed over a layer of felt paper and in some cases a rubber like ice guard material. The first layer of shingles is called the starter course and is installed at the lowest point on the roof, upside down. This allows a solid base for water to run over without leaking down into the rafters and plywood between the shingles key ways. Once this layer is installed another shingle is place directly on top of it, and the rest of the roofing is placed in a similar fashion up the roof line. The reason shingles are installed in this manner is to allow the water to run over one shingle onto the next until it enters the gutter system.

Now that you can identify the common fixtures on a roof the next step is to identify what you will be cleaning from the surface. The most common reason for cleaning asphalt shingle roofs is to remove a fungus growth called Gloeocapsa Magma. This particular type of algae is air-born and will collect on any type of roof. In most cases the owner of the property won't notice the algae growth until it begins to take over large sections of the roof. This algae usually forms dark brown or black stains on the roofing and it thrives in mostly warm humid areas.

Roof cleaning with the appropriate cleaners can effectively remove this unsightly blemish from roofs fairly easily if you know how. Some manufacturers suggest using a mixture of TSP and Bleach to kill the fungus. Other manufacturers suggest using a sodium hydroxide based cleaner instead.


Regardless of which cleaner you use when cleaning roofs it's important that you check with the manufacturer of the roof to meet their guidelines. Some manufacturers will void the warranty on the shingles for one method but not the other. However, ALL roofing manufacturers agree that the use of high pressure should NEVER be used when cleaning roofs. Some specifications set the safe pressure range at 600 PSI but the best rule of thumb to use is. Use the least amount of pressure and the mildest chemical possible to achieve the desired result!

If you are considering entering the asphalt shingle roof cleaning market I would highly recommend taking a course offered by The Power Washers of North America. This informative course will give you an in depth look at proper techniques, chemical processes, and roof construction needed to add this valuable service to your company.

Henry's Housework Inc.
13433 Tilford Court
Germantown, Maryland 20874

Office:  301-216-9675
Fax:      301-216-9679

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