How To Clean Leaves and Pine Needles Off Your Roof

Leaving pine needles, leaves, twigs, and other debris on your roof is not just an appearance concern. Letting them build up on your roof is hazardous and can cause expensive repairs over time. It’s important to keep your gutter clean in order to maintain proper care of your roof and avoid the dangers of mold, pest infestation, and leaks. Doing so may also increase curb appeal for the house.

In order to keep your roof clean and free of leaves, you will want to use a gas-powered leaf blower, soft broom, and cleaning brush. Using an electric leaf blower is a bad idea, due to the danger of potentially tripping over the wire while on your roof.

For a more thorough cleaning, do yourself a favor and invest in roofing services provided by a professional. This way you remain safe, and receive the ultimate cleaning service and overall upkeep of your roof for long term satisfaction.

3 Reasons Why Leaf Debris MUST Be Cleaned From Your Roof Before Winter

As much as we all love the reds and golds of fall foliage, especially in New Hampshire, the accumulation on your roof before winter can lead to some real damage. Even though the wind picks up some of these leaves, it’s not always enough to protect your roof and prevent water damage from occurring.

  1. Leaves left uncleared, become very heavy and can create an imbalance in the roof’s surface. These areas affected by the weight, will lead to leakage in the valleys of your roof.
  2. The dangers of not cleaning your roof off before winter with leaks and water damage already starting vary, and can create astronomical problems. When this trapped water freezes, it expands in the gutters and cracks the material from the inside. 
  3. A thorough inspection of your roof before snowfall prevents your house from going through drainage clogs and can save you thousands of dollars in the long run.
  4. BONUS REASON: If enough damage occurs, bugs can infest your home through even the tiniest of cracks from your roof to ceiling. Ladybugs that build colonies, flies that lay eggs which hatch into maggots in as little as 24 hours, wasps and termites which are just complete nightmares.

How Leaves Gather on Your Roof and Cause Damage

Dry leaves that are blowing around in the fall begin to build up in the corners of the roof. They clump together then become wet and more difficult to deal with after it rains. These soggy leaves are harmful to both the gutters and shingles. It’s recommended that you clean the gutter systems at least once every six months.

  • Moisture and Mold: Runoff water can be blocked by debris causing clogs, and ultimately lead to moisture-related issues. Water that doesn’t drain properly can cause water damage along your foundation, walls, and attic. In addition to that, wet leaves that have fallen onto the roof can cause water to run below the roof’s surface and lead to mold.
  • Leaks and Water Damage: The more water, moisture and mold that gets into and around the supports of your home, the more you allow the rot to weaken the structures that uphold your roof.
  • Weakened Beams: Leaves seep into the structure of the roof and overtime cause the beams to become weak and falter.
  • Bug Infestation: Once these structures begin to falter and crack, that’s when the nightmare of bug infestation is possible. Bugs will seek whatever environment suits them. Cooler and moist locations in the summer months, warmer and moist locations in the colder autumn and winter months.

How To Remove Leaf Debris from Your Roof and Gutters

As a homeowner there are many things to think about when it comes to cleaning your roof. You can DIY by following the tips provided below or call the Conde Roofing team to take off some of the roof-related stress.

  1. First and foremost, clean out large debris collected in your gutters. Start by putting on a pair of heavy duty gloves and use a gutter scoop to clear away the leaves.
  2. You can also opt to use a gas powered leaf blower to remove the debris, but if you choose to do that please wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from it flying up and potentially harming your vision.

Even though you can clean the gutters and roof yourself, it’s highly recommended that you seek professional help, and know for sure that your gutters and roof are taken care of.

Roof Inspection Services in NH

Meet the Conde Roofing Team. If you notice leaf and pine needle build up, don’t wait for your roof to require expensive repairs, or put yourself in danger doing it yourself. Leave it to the professionals at Conde Roofing. Speak with an expert from Conde Roofing Services and Schedule a consult today. They can come out to inspect your home and help you determine the best course of action.

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