Commonly Asked Questions
Roofs - Gutters - Siding - Decks - Hardscaping - Windows - Power Washing - Extras - Maintenance Plans
Products - Locations Served - Availability - Rates - Consultation - Duration
Roofs
Why not clean it myself?
Despite what the folks at the big home centers would like you to think, exterior pressure washing, soft washing, or roof cleaning is not something that most people should try tackling themselves. Even amongst the professionals, it can literally take years of experience before many reach a high level of competency in these trades.
Simply buying a small pressure washer does not qualify a person to have the appropriate knowledge or skill that it takes to achieve quality results, and more importantly, to achieve those quality results safely. Most pressure washers are not designed to clean soft surfaces such as roofs, decks, and siding.
An inexperienced person can actually damage the materials so badly that they need to be replaced, costing the homeowner possibly more than ten times the amount of hiring out the job to be done in the first place.
Safety is another consideration; certain jobs should not be done by the inexperienced homeowner. It is estimated that there are at least 30,000 people hurt each year, and 6,000 die from falling off ladders.
Does a little moss really hurt my roof?
Absolutely; mosses and fungi literally eat away at your roof. They break down the roofing material and use it for food. Also, mosses and fungi retain water on the roof, accelerating roof decay. Roof maintenance is necessary to assure the full life of your roof.
How does roof cleaning really benefit me?
Your roof will look better and last longer. The most important benefit is that you save money! A new roof is very expensive. Through quality roof maintenance, your roof can last two to three times longer than a neglected roof. Without regular cleaning you can cut the life expectancy of the roof to decrease by about half.
How do you clean my roof?
It depends on the type of roof you have, the extent of debris and damage.
The first thing we do for all types is use a high quality blower to remove all loose debris from the roof. This alone can be a huge improvement to the cleaning of your roof. By blowing the debris off before any washing is done it cuts down on the amount of debris that would fall into gutters and downspouts. We then clean out gutters and downspouts to make sure there isn’t any clogging in the next step to your roof cleaning. While blowing the roof we are also inspecting for any damage or any incorrect installation.
For composition and tile roofs: We treat the roof with a water base treatment to kill the moss, spores and roots. Then we gently wash the dead moss off. Then we check and clean your gutters again.
For shake roofs: We clean the debris off your roof by blowing, then clean your gutters and checking downspouts, then we use a high water volume with low pressure. Once the roof is free of debris and the repairs are complete, we apply a treatment using a low pressure sprayer.
What are the effects of Northwest weather on my roof?
All facets of our weather cause wear and tear. On cedar roofs sunlight and heat create cellular breakdown of wood fibers. Rain allows moisture to draw the natural oil (thujaplican) out of cedar wood, leaving it defenseless against natural decaying organisms, such as fungi and mosses. During cold winters, the moisture in your cedar shakes or shingles will expand and break down the wood fibers. Wind-blown debris – such as leaves, pine needles, and dirt – traps rot, producing moisture on your cedar roof. Without proper roof maintenance, the costly effects of Northwest weather will turn your cedar roof into a moist pasture for hungry fungi and mosses.
Asphalt shingle roofs provide an excellent food source for organisms giving them everything they need to grow. Asphalt shingles today contain limestone fillers to help add weight to the shingles. The algae feed on these limestone fillers, and over time this feeding process by the algae will actually degrade your roofs shingles. This can result in decreasing the life span of your roof by years.
Will my landscaping be harmed in the cleaning of my roof?
Many people want to know how our cleaning process may affect their plants or other parts of their house such as windows, etc. Because of the nature of what we are trying to achieve, which is to kill the algae, mold, and mildew growing on your roof, there is always a potential for damage to plant life, but our job as roof cleaning professionals is to use our experience to help limit that risk to not only your landscaping, but any other personal property nearby that could possibly be affected. We will always make you aware of any areas that we think could be a potential issue during the roof cleaning process before we start.
How long will it stay clean?
Well, there are a few factors involved with that, and at least one is beyond your control, and that being rainfall and climate conditions. Another is tree coverage and tree proximity to your home. The more trees you have in your yard, and the closer those trees are to your house can make a huge impact on how long your roof will stay clean. All things averaged out, most roofs will stay free from visible growth anywhere from 2-4 years.
What else can I do to keep my roof clean?
Keeping the debris off your roof is the most important thing. Not letting the pine needles and leaves settle in allowing plants to take hold will make a huge difference, so blowing your roof every year at a minimum would help keep any plant root systems from lifting and eating your roof.
Cleaning gutters at least every 6 months and keep birds off your roof. Bird droppings cause a lot of roof damage. Bird strips can be added if this is a problem at your home.
Well, there you have it. I would have to assume that if you've read this whole page on roof cleaning that most of your questions have been answered, but if we've missed something, feel free to call Arrowhead Roof Cleaning anytime at (360)387-8740 with any questions that you may have.
Gutters
Why should I clean my gutters?
Gutters are an important part of your home that need to be maintained. They are designed to catch all the rainwater and divert it away from the home, however, when gutters are allowed to fill with leaves, branches, and debris they fill causing water to back up and overflow. This can lead to basement flooding and structural damage to your roof. It can let mold, mildew, and rot develop in areas that should be dry. This can also cause the gutter to warp, rust, or leak.
Where moisture is present can also be an invitation to wood destroying insects. If you have gutters than are concealed within pillars or columns it is especially important to keep them clear. If water comes into the exterior walls it can cause an electrical fire. Any of these, would be a good reason to keep your gutters clean.
How do you clean my gutters?
We start by removing all debris next to and in the gutters by hand. We then clean the inside and outside of the gutters. We remove debris and clogs from downspouts, making sure they run clear. Check for leaks and make repairs as needed. Some gutters need to be re-sloped or have covers added to prevent further damage.
Will gutter covers help?
In our area many gutter covers are not effective. The screens create a landing spot for leaves and do not seem to blow off quickly enough to then allow the rain water in, basically creating the same problem as a clogged gutter. If you are considering getting a gutter cover I would be happy to recommend a gutter cover that would be right for your home.
Siding
How do you clean my siding?
We start by gently washing the siding. We treat algae and mildew if present. We check for cracks and caulk as needed. We touch up and repair damage as needed. We can add bird blocks and repair screens to keep bees, birds, and squirrels from gaining access to your home. We can also touch up areas with paint or stain, if needed.
Decks
Why does my wood need protection?
Rain, snow, mildew, mold, and the sun's rays can rapidly destroy the looks and condition of exterior wood. Constant cycles of temperature variation, along with wet/dry cycles will shrink and swell wood, leading to cracking, checking, and splitting. Cleaning and sealing will not only moisturize the dry wood but provide an attractive finish that resists graying and protects against mildew.
Hardscaping
Can you remove stains from my driveway?
Most mold, lichen, algae, paint, mortar and even oil stains can be removed. If there is likely to be any difficulties with any stains this will be brought to your attention before cleaning begins.
Windows
Why should I clean my windows?
Unmaintained windows will eventually stay dirty permanently. Your home is most likely your most valuable asset and you should want to preserve its value. Window washing is rated the best return on investment when selling a home.
Power Washing
What is power washing?
A high-pressure stream of water is passed through a sprayer that is moved gradually and cautiously, back and forth along the grain, over the surfaces to be cleaned. The power washer can convert garden hose pressure of 40 psi (pounds per square inch) to as high as 3000 psi. Pressure is changed during cleaning as needed to suit the type, age and condition of the substrate.
Extras
What if I need help with something not listed on your website?
Just Ask... We do more than just roof cleaning. If you have a task that involves the use of a ladder or a pressure washer we can probably help. Call (360)387-8740
Maintenance Plans
What options do you have in your service plans?
You can choose between quarterly, semi-annual, or annual service. Call Arrowhead Roof Cleaning to customize a plan that suits you at (360)387-8740.
Products
What products will you be using around my home?
We use a variety of product depending on the needs of your home. All of our products are very safe yet still effective. Here are some of the products we may use:
- Miracle Cover- A non-toxic environmentally friendly water-based sealant emulsion made of inorganic silicone, rubber, & water. Used for sealing roofs and patios. Safe for people, pets, & plants
- Pro-TEK- Cedar roof treatment for killing moss, biodegradable & environmentally safe
- Simple Green- Non-toxic, biodegradable, non-hazardous, non-flammable, & non-corrosive cleaners
- Lilly Miller- Moss Out / Bulk Zinc Sulfate- is a naturally occurring mineral. Biodegradable, no chlorine, no ammonia, no phosphates
Locations Served
What is your service area?
We Provide Residential & Commercial Services in NW Washington State. Including:
- Island County
Camano Island, Clinton, Coupeville, Freeland, Langley, Oak Harbor, & Prairie Center
- Skagit County
Alger, Anacortes, Bay View, Big Lake, Burlington, Cap Sante, Clear Lake, Concrete, Conway, Edison, Hamilton, La Conner, Lake Cavanaugh, Lake McMurray, Lyman, Marblemount, Mount Vernon, Rockport, Sedro-Woolley
- Snohomish County
Alderwood Manor, Arlington, Arlington Heights, Brier, Bryant, Canyon Park, Cathan, Cathcart, Clearview, Darlington, Darrington, Delta Junction, East Stanwood, Echo Lake, Edgewater, Edmonds, Esperance, Everett, Fobes Hill, Gold Bar, Granite Falls, Harbour Pointe, Hartford, Index, Intercity, John Sam Lake, Lake Bosworth, Lake Goodwin, Lake Ketchum, Lake Roesiger, Lake Stevens, Lake Stickney, Lochsloy, Lowell, Lynnwood, Machias, Maltby, Martha Lake, Marysville, May Creek, Meadowdale, Mill Creek, Monroe, Monroe Junction, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo, North Creek, North Lynnwood, North Marysville, North Stanwood, North Sultan, Oso, Perrinville, Picnic Point, Pinehurst, Priest Point, Shaker Church, Silvana, Silver Firs, Sisco Heights, Smokey Point, Snohomish, Stanwood, Startup, Stimson Crossing, Sultan, Swede Heaven, Three Lakes, Tulalip Bay, Verlot, Warm Beach, Weallup Lake, West Lake Stevens, Woods Creek, Woodway
- Whatcom County
Acme, Alderwood, Bellingham, Birch Bay, Blaine, Chuckanut Village, Custer, Deming, Edgemoor, Everson, Ferndale, Geneva, Glacier, Happy Valley, Kendall, Lynden, Maple Falls, Marietta, Nooksack, Peaceful Valley, Point Roberts, Silver Beach, South Bellingham, Strandell, Sudden Valley, Sumas
Availability
What days of the week are you available?
Monday through Friday, and weekends if needed
Rates
What are your fees?
It all depends on the service being provided and the time involved. We'll happily meet with you for a free consultation, where we can provide a cost estimate, just call Arrowhead Roof Cleaning at (360)387-7440.
Consultation Process
What does a consultation entail?
Consultation includes a full inspection of the area requested, a discussion over what was found, or problems that may arise from the cleaning or repair, and what materials would be used. This will also be when you'll receive an estimate.
Duration
How long will it take to provide any of your services?
It's all relative to the service being provided and how large of a task. We'll happily meet with you for a free consultation, where we can give you an estimate on time needed, just call Arrowhead Roof Cleaning at (360) 387-7440.