Cleaning a concrete tile roof can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. However, the risk of cleaning the roof with chemicals will cause damage to the tiles and other surfaces. This leaves you with two options: hire someone who knows what they are doing or do the job yourself!
You may have heard about using vinegar for this type of project before, but it should be used very sparingly because too much acidity in one spot can cause problems for your tiles. This blog post speaks about an issue that most people may not know about: how to clean a concrete tile roof.
10 Steps to Follow on How to Clean a Concrete Tile Roof
Step One: Clean the Surface
Before beginning any project, you must assess your work environment. This means determining what kinds of safety measures are necessary to protect yourself while you are working. For example, if you are cleaning high up on your roof, you will need to take extra precautions so that you do not fall and injure yourself.
This may mean using a ladder while cleaning your roof, or it may mean putting on a harness before you begin climbing up on your shingles. Whatever you do, make sure to keep yourself safe while working with the chemicals that will be used later in this project.
Step Two: Strip the Roof of Moss
If there are patches of moss growing on your tile roof, then you will need to get rid of it before you can clean your tiles. You should never attempt to clean moss tiles if you can still see the green patches on your roof. The best way to rid yourself of these is with a stiff brush and some all-purpose cleaner like bleach or soap mixed with water.
Apply the cleaner to the mossy areas of your roof, being careful not to get it on surrounding plants or grass. Scrub vigorously with a stiff brush while avoiding getting the cleaner anywhere other than the moss itself.
Step Three: Wash the Tiles
You are now ready to start cleaning your tiles. You will need a long-handled scrub brush or broom, an empty bucket for rinsing the cleaner off the tiles, and some all-purpose cleaner. Fill your bucket with warm water and add 1/2 cup of all-purpose cleaner for every gallon of water that you use.
Wet the tiles with your hose and then scrub them vigorously, using your long-handle brush or broom to reach as many of the spaces between the tiles as possible. Rinse off this cleaner thoroughly with your hose before filling up another bucket with just water and scrubbing everything a second time.
Step Four: Kill Moss and Mildew
If you had any moss growing on your roof before you started the cleaning process, then it is likely that some patches of it will have been shaken loose during the process of scrubbing. You can, at this point, spray these areas with a moss-killer from your garden center or hardware store.
Make sure to follow all safety instructions and cover surrounding plants or grass when spraying. You can also use a bleach-and-water solution to kill off any leftover mossy patches from before, but be sure to rinse the tiles thoroughly after doing this.
Step Five: Protect Your Tiles
Once you have completed these steps, it is vital to protect the tiles from future damage. You can do this by applying a layer of sealant to the tiles. This will both protect them from dirt and grime as well as give them a much more attractive appearance that will last for years to come without much effort on your part.
Concrete tile roofs are costly to have repaired, so you must take the necessary steps to preserve them. The process of cleaning a concrete tile roof is fairly simple, but it can take a long time if you let moss grow on your tiles for years before beginning the process.
Step Six: Wash the Gutters
Be sure to use the same cleaning methods to clean your tiles, but be extra thorough in this area. Moss can also grow on your gutter, and if it is allowed to remain there for long periods, the channels will likely become compromised.
It would help if you eliminated any trace of moss or mildew from these areas to protect them from falling apart. Now that you have read this article, you know how to clean a concrete tile roof! Enjoy your new appliance.
How Often Should a Tile Roof Be Cleaned?
The tiles will produce a layer of dust which in itself may not be very visible. This dust that accumulates on the top surface of the roof is made up of soil particles, organic materials, and even insects. The dirty water drains down between the tiles leaving behind mud stains.
This dirt acts as an abrasive agent that will damage the tiles over time, and this is why it is essential to clean the roof frequently. It is advisable to clean your roof at least three times a year. However, you can choose to do it as often as once a month. It would also depend on the location of your home and how much wind and rain your house gets.
Frequently Asked Question
Should You Jet Wash Concrete Roof Tiles?
Yes, you should. The idea is to remove the moss and dirt that has accumulated on the surface of your roof tiles. A jet wash will work best for this because it is fast and can be done with little effort.
It also removes any debris from your roof, so you won’t have to worry about future water damage or leaks.
Is It Ok to Pressure Wash Roof Tiles?
Yes, it is ok to pressure wash roof tiles. The only time you should not pressure wash roof tiles is when the weather is below freezing, and the water will freeze in contact with the roof.
Can You Powerwash Concrete Roof Tiles?
Yes, power washing is a process that uses water pressure to clean concrete surfaces. It can be used on all types of surfaces, including tiles, siding, and decks. Powerwashing is generally done with a power washer, but it can also be done by hand using buckets of water and a garden hose.
What Chemical Is Used to Clean Roof Tiles?
Detergent and soap are chemicals that are used to clean roof tiles. If you want to know what detergent is, then it is a liquid or powder that has cleaning properties for surfaces such as dishes, laundry, floors, etc. Soap is an oily or fatty substance made from animal fat and vegetable oils that clean skin and hair.
Will Bleach Damage Concrete Roof Tiles?
It is a common misconception that bleach will damage concrete roof tiles. Bleach can be used to clean concrete tiles as well as other surfaces like brick and tile.
Bleach is a mild alkaline solution that can remove stains from your roof tile. It also cleans dirt and grease from the surface of the tiles. However, it is important to avoid direct contact with the colored portion of the roof tile since this may cause fading or staining on that part of the roof tile.
Conclusion
Concrete tile roofs are an excellent option for homeowners who want to have the distinctive look of Spanish-style architecture. However, because these roofs can be so high up off the ground, they must be adequately maintained to avoid costly repairs and replacement costs down the road.
Cleaning a concrete tile roof can be done by using many different methods and tools. The most common ones include pressure washers, garden hoses, soap, and water or dish detergent mixed in with hot or cold water (depending on the season), scrub brushes, wire brushes, scrapers, and power vacuums.
Choose whichever method best suits your needs when cleaning your concrete tile roof to keep it looking its best! The infomercial style of this article has shared information on how to clean a concrete tile roof.
You may also like – How to Find a Leak in a Concrete Tile Roof.
