With the housing market in one of its worst slumps in decades, many homeowners that are trying to sell are brainstorming creative ways to differentiate their home from the rest. Some have the interior painted, some work on the landscaping, while others will actually go so far as to throw in gifts like new automobiles and furniture.
But very rarely does it occur to these folks that their filthy, algae-covered roof maybe keeping the buyers away!
Imagine a potential buyer pulling into the driveway of an otherwise beautiful home, but the roof is covered in some kind of mystery "black stuff". They're going to think to themselves that the roof is sick and may even need replacing (although it just needs a cleaning). They'll be adding up the cost of a new roof before they've even stepped foot in the house! How's that for lousy curb appeal!
Sellers can't afford to be this careless with how the exterior of their home looks. That bad "first impression" that the potential buyer has will often times trump any upgrades or features that are inside the house. Dirty roofs that are stained and covered in moss could also catch the attention of a home inspector who might decide to make negative comments about it to his clients, who in turn might offer less than they would. Or other wise just be a deal breaker!
The answer, of course, is to clean your roof before it goes on the market. Save yourself the time and risk and hire a certified roof cleaner who utilizes the no pressure chemical only process recommended by the ARMA* Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, shingle manufacturers, and the RCIA* Roof Cleaning Institute of America.
That $300 to $600 that you spend on a roof cleaning could garner you an extra $5,000 to $10,000 or more when it comes time to sell as a result of perceived greater value (new-looking roof = healthy roof!), and it doesn't take a financial genius to see that that's quite a return on your investment.
Why do people pressure wash their roofs? I think it's just old knowledge. That used to be the only way to do it. Now it's a way not to do it and for good reason! Roofing manufacturers say specifically "DO NOT PRESSURE WASH"?
We clean roofing with the manufacturer's instructions: Gently, without the use of a blasting, pressure washing machine. Watch us use this method in these short roof cleaning videos: A picture is worth a thousand words, live videos, even more! You can watch a large portion of this blackened tile roof come clean before your eyes. http://www.tubechop.com/watch/474113 This is a shingled roof with me cleaning it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ism_iEw36rg A PRESSURE WASHING MACHINE IS NOT STARTED DURING OR AFTER THIS PROCESS. MANY PRESSURE WASHING ONLY GUYS, SAY THEY JUST USE THEIR PRESSURE WASHER TO RINSE OR THAT THEY HAVE TURNED THE PRESSURE WAY DOWN. IF JUST A RINSE ID DESIRED, WE USE A GARDEN HOSE. YOU CAN NOT TURN A PRESSURE WASHER DOWN ENOUGH TO NOT DO DAMAGE-AND STILL GET THE ROOF CLEAN! I KNOW, I HAVE HAD A PRESSURE WASHING BUSINESS HERE SINCE 1989. Information on roof cleaning from roofing manufacturers, below are direct links to those manufacturers. http://www.bergmanpressurewashing.com/Manufacturer_Specifics.html Here's a cut from that:
HERE ARE THE FACTS FROM THE MANUFACTURERS ETC: Below are the only manufacturer suggested chemicals I have been able to find on any roofing manufacturer website, bulletin, etc. Some *alternative chemical users* claim "Approved" but do not supply manufacturer links to prove it. The below info and links, prove how those who manufacture and warranty your roofing actually approve of cleaning them!