Orange County Roofing Tips: How to Safely Clean Your Roof

As Fall sets in and Winter starts to be a looming reality, many homeowners will tackle the challenge of removing leaves and other debris from their roofs and gutters, and some will even be tempted to save money by personally installing a new roof.

While cleaning is a general good “best-practice” that can help the overall health of your roof and prolong its longevity, it can also be seriously dangerous. And though saving money can seem like a fantastic idea at the time, being your own roofer has some factors that you should seriously consider. So before you clamber up that ladder this year, read today’s article for some great tips to safely clean your roof and why you should consider a professional roofer in Orange County.

Tips for Cleaning Your Roof

Your personal safety has to be front and center, and that starts with how you access the roof: the ladder. Follow these 5 steps for ladder safety:

1. Inspect your ladder for any damage, slippery substances on the rungs, and to ensure that the feet and rung locks are working properly.
2. Py attention to your surroundings, never place your ladder near power lines.
3. Set the ladder at a 75° angle with the ground by setting the feet of the ladder away from the wall about ¼ of the total length of the ladder.
4. Secure the feet and ensure that they are parallel to the wall and on firm, level ground and ensure that the top of the ladder is secure and that both side rails are placed on an even surface and equally supported, meaning the ladder doesn’t slide or wobble when you put weight against it.
5. As you climb, only use the rungs to climb as opposed to using the side rails and maintain 3 points of contact while climbing the ladder by climbing one rung at a time and moving only one hand or one foot at a time. When you dismount the roof, hold onto the ladder with both hands.

With a pitched roof, one with a slant, you need to consider additional safety.

1. Wear loose-fitting clothing and rubber-soled shoes for traction.
2. Avoid rain and wind.
3. Pay attention to your surroundings/where you walk.
4. Use roof brackets or roof jacks.
5. Utilize a roof harness.

Consider the Risks of Being Your Own Roofer

While replacing a single shingle is easy enough and there are plenty of videos available that will walk you through it, completing a DIY roof in Orange County has a few risks that you should take into consideration.

1. Residential roof are more than high enough to seriously injure or kill.
2. Lack of experience & professional skills can cost more in the long run.
3. Expense of tools required for the job.
4. Inexperience with unexpected or troublesome issues.
5. DIY generally takes much longer than a professional contractor.

Call Our Orange County Roofing Pros

California Roof Life has been providing professional roofing services in Orange County for over 30 years. Whether you need roof repair, roof restoration or a complete re-roof, our experts have your home and you covered. From our selection of high-quality materials to our fully licensed, bonded & insured technicians, California Roof Life does roofing right! Contact us today for a free consultation and estimate for all your Orange County roofing needs.