Pressure Washing Slate Roof

Any form of weight can crack or break a slate tile so no homeowner or roof cleaning professional should ever walk on the roof.

Pressure washing slate roof.

Pressure washing should only be done by a trained professional in cases of extreme moss and debris build up. Pressure washing your roof can damage your roof. When having the slate cleaned it should be only be done from a ladder or lift to avoid damage to the roof. Most contractors don t recommend pressure washing or power washing a roof.

If your household water pressure isn t enough to generate the proper nozzle pressure at the jets the manufacturer recommends boosting it. It is possible to complete a roof cleaning project without pressure washing but the chemicals do take a little time to work. Instead soft washing with a garden hose is least likely to chip dent or crack the tiles or panels. The dirt you see on a roof is usually moss and lichen which can be treated and prevented with chemicals.

Consumer reports experts share pressure washer cleaning advice for your deck roof siding car and more. Avoid products like bleach and ammonia as they may discolor or prematurely weather cedar shakes. The power of pressure washers can be too much of a good thing. While you might be tempted to reach for a strong chemical or a pressure washer it s better to leave them behind and give your slate roof a little tender loving care.

This is because the water comes out too forcefully and can damage the material. Most slate roofs tend to be older so it is safe to assume that any slate roof is fragile and prone to damage. We ve heard that a 24 ft extension pole and a 12 5 inch wall washer can work well when attached to a pressure washer. This homeowner attempted to clean his roof and you can see the granules that were removed due to his imprope.

Avoid pressure washing your cedar roof. Pressure cleaning a roof when done properly using rotary cleaning equipment is safe cost effective and will not force water through or under tiles as the jet angle is controlled and always points away and down the roof rather than into or all over the place which is the case when blasting with a lance or wand is used. The unit can be handled to float over the slate. Debris and moss buildup hold moisture in the slates that can split them during winter freezes.

This wall roof washing attachment has a brush edge and two rotating nozzles.