As we’ve said many times before, keeping your roof clean is key to having a healthy roof. We advise all homeowners to take their roof maintenance very seriously. After all, a roof with debris-clogged gutters and moldy shingles will only threaten your home’s durability and your finances for years to come. To get the most out of your roof, we recommend checking out some of our previous blogs on roof maintenance.
Also, whether you’re a newbie or have cleaned your roof for years, we implore all our readers to exercise great caution once they get on their roofs. Cleaning a roof without the right expertise or equipment can be very risky. If you’d rather not take that risk, we offer roof cleaning services and prioritize safety on every job we undertake.
If you’re up to the challenge, here are a few tools that you absolutely need if you’re looking to keep your roof in tip-top shape between roof inspections.
A Sturdy Ladder
First of all, you’ll need a ladder to access your roof. Before selecting a ladder, make sure you measure the height of your gutters before purchasing your ladder. According to the Expert Home Report, the gutters on most one-story homes are usually about 16 feet high.
In addition to height, you want to check the weight limit on your ladder. Cleaning your roof while you’re on a flimsy ladder is nerve-wracking. We recommend buying a ladder that can support 1.5 times your body weight to avoid that. For good measure, make sure your ladder has adjustable legs. This feature comes in handy if the ground under your gutters is uneven.
Lastly, you want to lean towards ladders with features to enhance their stability. For instance, your ladder should have extra grips on its steps. It would be best to inspect your prospective ladders’ rung rings. Some models’ rings are serrated. Serrated joints help keep rungs locked in place while you’re up cleaning your roof. Also, make sure you check out your ladder’s “shoes”. Do they have any rubber at the bottom to prevent slipping? If they do, you’ve got a good model on your hands.
Roof Safety Harness
A safety harness is a roofer’s best friend. Using a safety harness is a no-brainer and we recommend not getting your roof until you’ve bought one. You don’t want to risk paying thousands in hospital bills just so you could save a few hundred dollars on roofing costs. Knowing the distance from your gutters to the floor is important because it helps you determine your fall distance & the length of your harness’s lifeline. After all, your harness’s lifeline must catch you before you hit the ground.
When using roof safety harnesses, take the necessary precautions. Always secure your anchors to the manufacturer’s instructions and specifications. Always check your fall protection system’s weight grade – higher it is, the more weight it can take. Do keep in mind, however, that there’s a disparity between the weights that the lifeline can withstand and that which the anchor can withstand.
Chemical Pump Sprayer
Finding the perfect cleaning chemicals for your roof can be a challenge. For instance, what might work for shingles on a slate roof might have no effect on a metal roof – and vice versa. Having the right pump sprayer for the job is a must. For instance, larger commercial roofs require more powerful sprayers.
Also, it would help if you considered how much chemical solution your pump sprayer can hold. If you schedule a free consultation with us, we’ll advise you on the best sprayer for your roof based on your roof’s size and design.
Some pump sprayer models are battery-powered, and others are manually operated. Some can use multiple nozzle heads; other models can only use one. Before picking your chemical pump sprayer, you need to speak to an expert. Different roofs call for different spray applications, and some roofs require nozzle functions that might be unique to a certain model or extension.
Pump sprayers’ prices vary greatly – some models cost about $30 while others go for as much as $2,500. At Regions, we do our best to help make homeownership as cost-effective as possible. So, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a free roofing inspection and a detailed discussion about your roof’s condition and maintenance tips you’ll need moving forward.
Roof & Wall Moisture Scanner
If we said it once, we’ve said it a million times. A dry roof is a happy roof. Even with years of training, it’s tough to get a read on a roof’s moisture levels without the right tools. So, having your own moisture scanner could prove invaluable to you keeping your roof in tiptop shape
Moisture scanners send out low frequency signals to detect leaks in your roof or walls. In most cases, all you do is place the scanner directly on the surface and you can get a reading. Some of the best scanners in the market can detect moisture through the following:
- Wood
- Drywall
- Tiles
- Brick
- Plaster
One of the most sought after models on the market, the Tramex Moisture Encounter, is non-destructive. This feature doesn’t use probes or pins to penetrate the surfaces you take the measurements from. Given the regularity with which you’ll be taking moisture readings, this could save you a lot of unsightly holes around the house.
The one drawback about this device is its high price tag. The Tramex Moisture Encounter, one of the more compact, cost-effective models, goes for about $525. More powerful, more sophisticated models can easily cost about $1,000 or more. At Regions Commercial Roof, we’ve got moisture scanners, but they’re not as handy as our 30+ years of roofing experience. Save yourself some money and a lot of hassle – call us for the job.
Conclusion
These are just a few tools that we feel will help with your roof maintenance. At the end of the day, there aren’t many substitutes for licensed roofers’ expertise. If you want your roof to be in the best hands possible, click this link to get in touch with us now.