If you have been in property management for more than a few years, chances are pretty good that you have dealt with roof cleaning issues. Roof cleaning can be very costly, and so can cleaning up the damage caused by roof cleaning. Removing damage caused by roof cleaners is never included in initial estimates because it is not expected to happen.
There are many fungi that can grow on a roof that are both destructive to the roof and repulsive to the sight. Moss, lichen, black algae (black mold) and green mold/algae make up the majority of the problem and removal has become a necessity. Roofs need to be cleaned for several reasons: to prevent destruction and premature replacement, to control increased energy costs, and to correct property depreciation.
Asphalt shingle, cedar shingle, and tile roofs are the most commonly affected roofs, although each is affected differently.
Asphalt roofs are destroyed more quickly than the others because the fungus can grow under the shingles and lift them until they crack and fall off. The fungal tendrils or “roots” also dig through the reflective granules, causing them to loosen and fall off. This process causes the shingles to thin, which shortens the expected life of the shingles by years, as they then curl and dent.
Cedar roofs must remain dry to last. When a cedar roof is covered with fungus, the fungus traps moisture in the wood, causing rot that invites wood-eating insects and quickly compromises the integrity of the wood.
Solar Panel Cleaning
Cleaning solar panels is usually the last thing a potential environmentalist thinks about when it comes to installing a solar system on their home or business. Rather, they think about the cost of the system and the potential energy savings.
What makes solar panels dirty?
A solar panel system is usually mounted high up on a home or business and is therefore vulnerable to all of nature’s elements. Dirt, which comes in many forms, has the greatest impact. Dirt can be loose soil or sand from the ground, dust or dirt.
All of this is carried into the air and can mix with other substances in the air and eventually find its way onto your solar panels. During the night, moisture becomes a problem, causing water spots that encourage dirt to accumulate more quickly. Bugs, insects and bird droppings are another nuisance that requires further maintenance.
Solar Panel Cleaning Solutions
One way to keep your solar panel cleaning is to roll up your sleeves and get a good cleaning kit that will allow you to clean your panels easily and quickly. The frequency of cleaning will depend on where you live and how quickly your solar panels get dirty.
Another option would be to use an automatic cleaning system that cleans your solar panels at specific intervals. An automatic cleaning system is a good option to reduce the amount of cleaning required for your system, but will increase the overall cost of your solar panel system.
Finally, you can consider a cleaning service from a local service provider.
Deciding which options are best for your needs will depend largely on the impact on your energy savings. If your solar panels get dirty frequently, you’ll benefit from an automated cleaning system. For areas with less soiling, on the other hand, manual maintenance or a regular cleaning service makes more sense.
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