How to Clean Your Roof Safely

Cleaning your roof is one of the best ways to ensure that you do not have water dripping from the ceiling in your home. If your roof is not cleaned properly, you will have to replace shingles or the gutters on your home. When cleaning your roof, it is always recommended that you use safety. Falling from a roof can cause serious injury or death so you want to take the necessary precautions before you head up. Here is a quick guide to help so you know how to clean your roof safely.

The ladder is going to be the most important tool to getting on top of your roof. When you position the ladder, make sure that it is flush against the eave of your home’s roof. The ground under the ladder should be level so the ladder will not move once you climb on top of it. Lock the ladder braces to ensure that it will not close while you’re on it. Get a friend to hold the ladder while you climb to ensure support.

Most incidents resulting in a fall from a roof or a ladder occur because of the shoes the person was wearing. Make sure that you are wearing work boots when you climb the ladder. The soles on the boots should make it much easier to grip the steps on the ladder as you climb. Roofs are known to have moss and dirt on them. These agents can be slippery so you want to make sure that you’re not going to slip.

Put all of your cleaning supplies into a bucket. Tie the rope to the handle of the bucket and toss the rope onto the roof. Climb the ladder and once you get on top of the roof, pull the rope up for access to the supplies. Climbing the ladder with the supplies in your hand is dangerous. Get a friend to help you if you have additional supplies that need to go up.

Tie a rope to the chimney or another hard surface on the roof and then secure the other end to your body. This will ensure your safety if you do hit a slick spot on the roof. Clean out the gutter system before you start to clean the roof. Use your cleaning supplies to clean the roof from the top of the bottom. This way, the dirt and grime will fall down to the gutter system.

Remove the rope from your chimney and then carefully walk over to the edge of the roof. Lower the cleaning supplies down with the rope and the bucket. Brush off the bottom of your work boots so you can have a better grip on the steps. Climb onto the ladder bracing the roof and have your friend hold the ladder for support.  Climb down slowly until you reach the bottom of the ladder. Check the spillways on the gutters to make sure that they are not clogged. This will keep your roof cleaner longer.

Charles Dovbish is a freelance writer that specializes in DYI and home improvement topics.

Image Credit: Home Roof, Roof Corner Roofers