While Portland, OR, typically experiences mild weather year-round, its average temperatures have increased. According to FirstStreet.org, the city only experienced four days with temperatures between 90 ºF and 100 ºF 30 years ago, whereas this year, it may see at least nine days, plus at least one with a temperature over 100 ºF.
Hot days can already be dangerous, but they can cause even more safety concerns by affecting the safety and integrity of your Portland home’s roof. The good news is that with appropriate and regular roof treatment and upkeep, you can minimize the risks of your roofing system degrading prematurely.
So, join us today at NW Surface Cleaner, Inc., as we share practical roof maintenance tips to help you keep your home in good condition, inside and outside.
Proactive Roof Monitoring
Portland’s diverse weather conditions can take a toll on your roof in the following ways:
- Expansion and contraction of roofing materials due to heat
- Potential cracks and warping due to prolonged exposure to heat and ultraviolet (UV radiation)
- Leaks from rainwater seeping into cracks
- Interior water damage as water gets under the roofing materials
- Damaged or missing shingles or tiles due to strong winds
While you can’t completely prevent all those problems since they’re environmental factors, you can keep them from worsening through proactive roof monitoring. It involves identifying potential issues from the ground (for your safety, please avoid going up to your roof!). For example, you can use binoculars to examine the roof closely for:
- Curling, cracked, balding, or lost shingles or tiles
- Damaged flashing
- Plant growth
- Sagging or uneven areas on the roof
- Clogged gutters
If you notice any of the above signs, the next best move is to partner with professional roof care specialists. They will inspect your roof and perform appropriate repairs depending on their findings.
Specialized Roof Treatment for Moss
As the Portland Nursery points out, a whopping 700+ moss species grow in the Pacific Northwest (including Portland). They’re incredibly resilient plants that can dry out completely without moisture and revive once water returns. And yes, they’re gorgeous in landscapes, but not so much when they grow all over your roof.
The Problem With Moss on Roofs
There are many reasons not to want and allow moss on your roof:
Moss quickly absorbs water, keeping the roof wet for extended periods. Prolonged dampness encourages roof deterioration and other problems, including mold.
Moss can obstruct runoff, preventing water from draining properly through the gutter system. It can block water channels on tiled roofs, causing water to back up and seep through the felt.
Water absorbed by moss can get under the shingles and tiles. Potential water seepage, damage, and leaks can occur if this happens.
Moss can loosen tabs as it creeps across roofs and grows between shingles and tiles. Loose tabs are more prone to leaks.
Moss can encourage rot on organic roof components, such as wood. It does this by exposing the materials to the moisture they absorb and trap, which can lead to more damage and mold concerns.
Even gutters are at the mercy of moss. When chunks of these plants fall off the roof, they can accumulate and block the gutters. When clogged, they are more prone to leaking and collapse.
Moss alone on roofs is problematic, but when combined with mold, it can lead to more property damage and, in some cases, even potential health issues. For instance, roof leaks can encourage indoor mold growth. According to the U.S. CDC, mold exposure can lead to adverse health effects (e.g., eye, nose, skin, and lung irritation), even in people without mold allergies.
How Moss Removal and Treatment Can Help
Since moss can have many damaging effects, its removal can help extend a roof’s lifespan. NW Surface Cleaner, Inc. specializes in two gentle roof cleaning solutions that eliminate existing moss and debris on your roof.
Our first cleaning method involves manual, gentle hand brushing. The other uses compressed air blowing without water. Rest assured that we’ll only use manufacturer-approved techniques to clean and rejuvenate your roof.
After cleaning, our highly experienced roof care specialists can apply moss treatment. We use biodegradable treatments to kill existing moss, algae, and lichen growth on your roof. The same treatments prevent them from returning.
Our moss cleaning and treatment are applicable and safe for all roof types, such as:
- Composite shingle
- Tile
- Wood
Prompt Roof Repairs
Regular roof inspections, cleaning, and preventative moss treatments are crucial for protecting roofs and homes. However, roof damage can still occur, such as in horrible weather.
Just because your roof sustains damage doesn’t mean you already need to replace the entire thing! If you act early and call roof repair professionals, they can save your roof from further damage by promptly repairing or replacing:
- Damaged shingles or tiles
- Collapsed gutter components
- Roof and gutter leaks
- Damaged flashing
- Storm-caused roof damage
- Faulty pipe jacks
- Defective attic vents
Remember: A new roof can cost a lot of money, so you’d want your existing one to last as long as possible. With proper care and attention, it should. According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), roofing systems can last decades, depending on the material:
- 3-tab asphalt shingles: At least 20 years
- Wood: 25 years
- Metal: 40 to 80 years
- Slate: 60 to 150 years
At NW Surface Cleaner, Inc., our prompt, high-quality, and comprehensive repair services can help keep your existing roof in top shape and keep you away from the hefty cost of a complete replacement.
Treat Your Roof With TLC Today
Proactive monitoring, investing in specialized roof treatment and moss removal, and scheduling prompt repairs can keep your Portland home’s roofing system in good shape and extend its lifespan. They can also protect you and your home from roof leaks and the adverse effects of mold growth.
If you’re ready to give your roof some TLC, the highly skilled and experienced roof experts at our CCB-licensed company, NW Surface Cleaner, Inc., can help! We’ve been providing top-notch services to homes for over forty years, and we’ll happily do the same for your Portland home.
Speak with us today so we can get started with your free project estimate!