Clean Gutters

Cleaning Gutters for a better look

As leaves fall off the trees and onto yards and homes this time of year, it’s important to spend some time cleaning out the gutters around your roofline. When leaves and debris build up in gutters, rainwater can’t move properly away from your house and can penetrate under roof shingles. Additionally, when water sits in a gutter it becomes the perfect place for insects to breed and nest. Yuck!

Clean gutters make your home look bright and well-kept.

At Roof Cleaner we soft-wash your gutters exterior to improve their appearance and make them last longer. When gutters aren’t properly cleaned and maintained, a buildup can occur in the gutter, weighing them down and weakening the coating, decreasing their life. Dirty gutters can also result in water streaks down the front of the gutters and sometimes onto the house’s façade. Roof Cleaner’s trained technicians wash away that build-up and leave your gutters looking like new. Depending on the trees on your property and how often you clean out your gutters, cleaning gutters may be needed every year or two.

Here are tips on cleaning out your gutters effectively and safely:

§  Team up. Make sure you have at least two people helping with the project. One to clean the gutters and one to hold and steady the ladder.

§  Wear the appropriate items. Shoes with rubber soles with some good traction are important. As the gutters are cleaned out, built up moisture will come out too. As the project continues, the ladder may become wet. Rubber soles will keep you from slipping. Debris in the gutters can be ridden with bacteria as insects, animal droppings and mold, so wear gloves to protect yourself. Lastly, eyewear is a must, especially as you use a hose. Debris, leaves, etc. may come lose as you clean and you’ll want to make sure it doesn’t go in your eye.

§  Secure a bag or bucket to your ladder. Holding a filling bag or bucket in one hand and using the other to clean your gutters leaves you without a hand to steady yourself. Secure the bucket or bag to the ladder so you have one hand free.

§  Don’t use metal scoops. Whatever you use to clean the debris out of your gutters, don’t use a metal object. The metal of the scoop can damage the metal of the gutter itself.

§  Hose it down. After you’ve cleaned the large debris from the gutters, rinse it down with your garden hose. While it won’t remove all of the built up grime, it will wash away the smaller debris and show you if missed any clogged portions of the gutter.

If you have questions regarding cleaning or washing of gutters please contact your local Roof Cleaner office at 616-240-3465

 

Roof Cleaner - Exterior Washing Expert Improves Home and Property Values

Soft-Wash  washing a building, fence, roof, siding, sidewalks and walkways will improve curb appeal and increase property value

Hudsonville, MI –

A local Hudsonville, MI exterior cleaning professional understands how difficult it can be for homeowners and business owners to maintain the exterior of their property. Walkways, driveways, patios, porches, siding and roof’s are difficult areas to keep clean. Unfortunately, they are also the same areas that visitors see first.

Dan & Tami Dykstra, owners of Roof Cleaner in Hudsonville satisfy this market niche by offering a wide array of soft-wash cleaning services. “Sort-Wash cleaning is the best and easiest way to maintain the exterior of a building,” said Dykstra.

According to local real estate professionals a good exterior cleaning can add as much as 10% to the value of a home by providing a good first impression.

Roof Cleaner can handle all exterior cleaning needs to improve curb appeal while preserving investments. Annual washing service is a great way to maintain a home while prolonging the life of all exterior investments. Hiring a professional soft-wash expert is much more effective and safer than the homeowner using a hose, ladder and bucket.

Roof Cleaner takes pride in their ability to offer quality service with great results. Commercial grade soft-wash equipment removes many of the toughest stains. Customers enjoy outstanding service with a 24-48 hour response time.

Roof Cleaner will send a specialist to the home or business to evaluate their client’s needs and provide an estimate. Customers include residents in single family homes, property managers for apartment buildings and multi-unit dwellings, commercial properties, schools, playgrounds, garages and anyone who need professional washing service in West Michigan.

About Roof Cleaner Exterior Washing:
Roof Cleaner provides expert quality residential and commercial pressure washing and restoration services in the Grand Rapids and surrounding areas. They are a professional grade company trusted to deliver the highest quality soft-washing and professional services at a fair price. Their technicians are experienced, professional and always happy to answer any questions clients may have along the way.

Thank you

We here at Roof Cleaner want to express our thanks to the hundreds and hundreds of homeowners who allowed us the chance to clean their roof's/siding this past year.

 

We have under gone some changes in the last month or two that will help us to better serve our client base and to expand the business in 2013 while still holding on to our strong customer service. Along with a name change, going from Great Lakes Roof & Exterior Cleaning to: ROOF CLEANER will be rolling out a whole new look for the company,  new logo and new colors.

 

We also have new management running the company that will take it to the next level and build ROOF CLEANER to the ONLY exterior cleaning company that both residential and commercial customers will ever need to call.

 

There will be even more exciting news in the later part of 2013 about some more services that will be offered in 2014.

 

616-240-3465
roofcleaner@inbox.com

Cedar Shake Shingle Cleaning

Roof Cleaner was called to see if we could clean the cedar shake shingles of a large home in the West Michigan area. This roof had a tremendous amount of moss build up on the shingles along with the fact that they were very grey with age.

 With assurance’s to the home owner that we could indeed get the shingles clean and looking great again, we started the process of cleaning.

Roof Cleaner worked diligently at the job for many days, enduring temps in the 90's and even into the low 100's with high humidity, but in the end we prevailed and the house and garage are looking great.

Take a look at the pics and let us know what you think.
roofcleaner@inbox.com

House washing tips

House washing tips that you need to know before attempting a house washing yourself. These house washing tips will help you avoid doing any damage to your siding. So here you go! Important tips are marked red.

1.       Have a profesional company do the first initial washing. It's not as simple as some people think, and if you will not get the same results as if a knowledgeable person of house washing. But there are steps you can take to help keep it clean. Tip

2.      Stronger the soap the better- Not True-! Dont go throwing bomb soap on the siding. You run the risk of streaking the siding and fading the coller and you can not reverse that. It's permanent damage most of the time. A simple solution of a type of soap and bleach mixed the right way. The rest is top secret!

3.      Use a soft nylon tipped brush. Brushing is the key. The difference between a good job and a great job.

4.      NEVER let the chemical dry! This is very important. It makes a mess of your windows, streaking them, and the siding and the only way to get that off is to scrub it off. It will not simply rehydrate and rinse offf. It creates a tough film. Tips

5.      Do small areas at a time. This helps prevent drying and is more organized this way.

6.      Always do a test patch first. There are a LOT of factors involved depending on the type, age, colar, quality of the siding or surface. And also the type of dirt that is on it.

7.       Rinse thoroughly. Don't leave any soap residue behind. Thats also why a mild chemical, so it is esier to rinse. Tip

8.      Be mindful of the vegetation around the house. A lot of work goes into around the house and you don't want to burn or kill the plants.

9.      Wear rubber gloves and wear eye protection.

10.    Make sure that you wash the whole house and try not to piece wash thru out the months.

The Best way to have your home’s exterior washed in West Michigan is to have the pros at Roof Cleaner do the job for you.
616-240-3465

10 Reasons to Get Your Roof Cleaned

1.    Improved Curb Appeal! Everyone wants their home or business to look the best. Having your roof cleaned is a small cost for a Huge difference!

2.    Improve your roof's longevity! Most manufacturers guarantee 25+ years, get the most out of your shingles, by having your roof treated using our soft-wash formula.

3.    Decrease Utility Cost! By removing black stains and providing a more reflective roof surface, roof temperatures may decrease, keeping energy bills, down and more money in your pocket.

4.    Maintain the value of your Home or Business! One of the most expensive investments in your life is your home or business, becoming a member of our preventative maintenance program, may help maintain your roofs structure and appearance.

5.    Increase roof life! Prevent leaks and cracks from prematurely developing due to algae, moss, and lichen.

6.    Clean it, Don't Replace it! You can save thousands of dollars by softwashing your roof, rather than spending thousands of dollars on a roof that doesn't need to be replaced.

7.    Our professionals use the Roof Cleaning Institute ofAmerica (RCIA) and American Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) recommend soft-wash system. This system is 100% biodegradable, affordable and safe, unlike high pressure systems, that will damage shingle composition.

8.    2 Year Warranty! We stand behind our work at Roof Cleaner, if any algae,moss, or lichen are to appear within 2 years of having your roof cleaned, we will send out one of our professionals to have the roof cleaned for FREE!

 

9.                    Health benefits! Eliminate mold and other organisms from passing through your roof and into your attic.

Roof cleaning

Roof cleaning is the process to remove roof stains including Green Algae and Black Algae "gloeocapsa magma" from roofing materials in areas where high humidity is prevalent.

Roof Cleaning being performed using the soft-wash system

Proper Roof Cleaning of shingles being performed on Fiberglass Shingles.

The black stains are also very likely to harbor a number of molds or fungi. Unlike algae, the fungi on our roofs lacks chlorophyll and are unable to manufacture food from raw materials. The algae must get nutrition from some form of organic matter. To thrive, they also require a warm, humid environment.

Fungi normally begin their life cycle as an airborne spore that settles on roofs. The spores on the northern exposure of the roof stand a better chance of survival because that portion of the roof is the last part to dry after a rain or morning dew. This raises the humidity on the surface of the shingle, thus creating a perfect feeding and breeding ground.

The tar used in roofing is fossilized, dead organic matter and an important food source for fungi. Asphalt, at the granule base, is normally consumed first. Once these granules dislodge, accelerated deterioration of the roof itself will occur. Ceramic granules represent the outer hard shell that protects against hail and other falling debris. Ceramic granules protect against damaging UV radiation and insulate the roof against extreme heat. So you can understand that their dislodgement by the growing fungal colonies can be detrimental to our roofs’ longevity. Surprisingly, the blue-green algae are also food for the fungi.

The Roof Cleaning business began becoming more common when the shingle manufactures changed from all asphalt to fiberglass shingles. The limestone in the fiberglass shingles which is added for weight attracts the bacteria and begins to spread. At times it can take up to 10 years before the Gloeocapsa Magma or "Black Streaks" become present.

If the area of growth is left untreated the stains will spread causing more of an issue. Over time this bacteria will cause the material to possibly decay and result in premature failure.

Roof Cleaner has been cleaning the roof's around West Michigan for many years now, we have taken the black streaks, mold, mildew, moss and lichen off of hundreds of homes in the area and would like to do the same for you.

 

Black Streaks on Roof

Algae’ growing on roofs is a country wide issue. In case you didn’t notice, algae growth on roofs was not an issue 30 years ago. At a certain point along the road the shingle manufacturers decided that adding Limestone as a filler in their shingles was the best choice. What they did not foresee however was that there is a type of algae that loves to eat the stuff! Not only that, but once coupled with warm weather and a little humidity it is off to the races.  Michigan is a great place for the algae to flourish.

Now that the roofing companies have witnessed the error of their ways, they have taken action.  Most quality shingles that are being produced these days are algae resistant (AR). The key word you need to take notice of here is “resistant”. They are not algae proof and they may never be. The common length of algae resistance is said (by the manufacturer) to be 10 years although the shingle that they are selling is supposed to be a 30 year shingle. The math is easy to do, and the customer is the one that is left with at least 20 years of algae issues.

Mother Nature is putting up quite the fight, and there is only one thing that you can do about it. That one thing is to either clean your own roof or hire a roof cleaning professional. Roof cleaning is very important and if it is not done and done right, you will literally shave years off your roof’s life span.

Roof Algae and the roof cleaning it necessitates’ is going to be existent for a long time to come. As long as it is, we will be here to provide you with the most up-to-date methods and techniques for battling algae.

Once the black streaks (algae) appear on your roof, they will just keep spreading out along the whole roof and if nothing is done about it, your shingles will fail long before they should have. With the help of Roof Cleaner  you can get those black streaks off your roof and thereby extending the life of your shingles.

NEVER allow a pressure washer to be used on your roof, nor should you allow a roof scrubber to clean the shingles. Both of these processes can cause damage to the shingles.

Commercial roof washing

We make it our job to add life to homes simply and affordably. Cleaning a house’s exterior is a dirty job, and it takes more than just a garden hose to wash away the grime that can accumulate on roofs and siding. We provide a deep, thorough cleaning that makes a visible difference and will add years to the life of your exterior surfaces. So let our professional staff bring your home’s luster back while saving you money in the process.
616-240-3465

Roof Washing Michigan

A couple of different methods used for cleaning roof’s here in West Michigan.

You decide which is best for your shingles.

1.     This method involves the use of an aluminum "rinsing disc" also know as a "surface cleaner", designed to be used on hard surfaces. This device is connected to a pressure washing unit which engages up to twelve rotating high pressure water jets. Not only can this method void your shingle warranty, but it can also permanently damage the shingles by washing away the granules.

This method will temporarily remove many types of growth, but it will not completely eradicate it. Most generally, the bacteria will begin to recolonize within six to eight months.

2.     This method involves the use of a "water broom" also know as a "pitch witch". This device is connected to a pressure washing unit which engages up to eight high pressure jets that are aimed directly at the roofs surface. Not only can this method void your shingle warranty, but it can also permanently damage the shingles by washing away the granules.

This method will temporarily remove many types of growth, but it will not completely eradicate it. Most generally, the bacteria will begin to recolonize within six to eight months.

 

       3.  This method involves the use of a pressure washer and a wand.
              This method is by far the worst way to clean a roof. The pressure that comes            
               out the end of the wand can do significant damage to shingles.

4.     Our process involves the use of a Certified "Soft-Wash" System that is recommended by all roofing material manufacturers, including the (Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association).

Our system is designed to deeply penetrate each shingle; completely eradicating all bacteria on contact. This method does not utilize high-pressure or scrubbing of any kind. We guarantee our system will not damage your roof or anything on your property.

Area's Serviced

Below is just a sample of our coverage area, if you dont see your zip code listed, please give us a call.
We serve all of Western Michigan with our certified soft washing.

49417 – Grand Haven

49426 – Hudsonville   49315 – Byron Center
49424 – Jenison  48809-Belding 48881-Saranac 49301-Ada
48815-Clarksville  48884-Sheridan 49302-Alto
48834-Fenwick  48885-Sidney 49306-Belmont
48835-Fowler  49316-Caledonia
48838-Greenville  49325-Freeport
48845-Hubbardston 49331-Lowell
48846-Ionia 49333-Middleville
48849-Lake Odessa 49341-Rockford
48851-Lyons 49348-Wayland
48860-Muir 49503-G. R
48861-Mulliken 49505-G.R
48865-Orleans 49506-G.R
48873-Pewamo 49512-G.R
48875- Portland 49525-G.R
48890-Sunfield 49546-G.R
48894-Westphalia
48897-Woodland
49422 - Holland 49423 - Holland 49424 - Holland

616-240-3465
roofcleaner@inbox.com

Exterior Washing

Keeping the exterior of your home or business clean is important not only for curb appeal and pride of ownership, but also prevents serious problems that can develop from the moss, algae and fungus stains prone to West Michigan.

Safe, Effective Soft Washing

Our soft-wash methods are similar to how we clean your roof. Our special cleaning agents remove the dirt, algae and fungus, and then a light, thorough rinse has your home or business looking like new in just a few hours.
We do not (nor do we recommend) using a pressure washer on your siding. While using pressure will eliminate the stains, it can be harsh on your home or business and might ultimately do more harm than good. If water gets behind your siding, mold will grow and wood will rot. Our soft-wash methods prevent that from happening.

Residential and Commercial Cleaning

Let us keep up the appearance and life of your home or business. We can clean homes, businesses, apartment complexes and condo associations of any size. If you have a building, we can wash it.

Common Surfaces and More

• Vinyl
• Stucco
• Dryvit®
• Metal
• Aluminum
• Concrete (sidewalks and driveways)

If you don’t see your surface listed, don’t worry. We can clean every surface on the outside of your home aside from windows. Contact us and we’ll take care of you.

Curb Appeal

One of the most noticeable and important aspects of a home’s curb appeal is the roof.

Just as a clean, healthy roof leaves an incredible first impression, nothing implies a deteriorating house like a dirty roof. When neighbors drive by your house and see black streaks and stains from algae and mold on the roof, doubts about your home take over their minds.

Let us help you give your home the enhanced curb appeal a clean roof creates. Great Lakes Roof & Exterior Cleaning uses safe, effective soft-wash methods that will have your roof looking like new in just a few hours.

There are more benefits than just the aesthetics. Left untreated, mold and algae can lead to serious problems like water damage, rotting wood and increased utility bills. When we wash a roof, we not only get rid of existing stains, but we also use cleansers that leave an invisible residue that helps prevent the return of mold and algae.

We know you want to your home looking its best, and using Great Lakes Roof & Exterior Cleaning is an easy, effective way to drastically increase curb appeal. A house with tremendous curb appeal will be the envy of the neighborhood.

To schedule a free quote and see first-hand the benefits of a thorough roof washing from Roof Cleaner, don’t hesitate to call us at 616.240-3465 or send us an email at roofcleaner@inbox.com

Great Lakes Roof & Exterior Cleaning on Roof Cleaning Versus Roof Repair

We make it our job to add life to homes simply and affordably. Cleaning a house’s exterior is a dirty job, and it takes more than just a garden hose to wash away the grime that can accumulate on roofs and siding. We provide a deep, thorough cleaning that makes a visible difference and will add years to the life of your exterior surfaces. So let our professional staff bring your home’s luster back while saving you money in the process.

Roof repair and roof cleaning are two very different services that have one same goal: make your roofing system better. So, if you are still undecided as to whether or not you really need to replace a few shingles on your roof, this article is for you. Specifically, we will talk about the different questions that you need to ask yourself that will help you decide whether you should call a specialist or not.

The simple and best answer here is that you should call the experts at Roof Cleaner right away. We won’t charge you for a visual inspection and evaluation. We can inspect your roof and tell you if you need some repairs, or if a good cleaning will extend the life of your roof a few more years.

Here is a list of questions that will help you decide:

1.      Is there moss, algae or lichen growth on the roof already? If yes, how much damage has it caused?

2.      How is the overall look of your roof? Does it look old, weathered, and ugly?

3.      Do you see any cracks or holes?

4.      Are there any missing or damaged shingles?

5.      How is your gutter system? Is it full of moss or other particles like sand, gravel, leaves, or twigs?

If you are still unsure about roof cleaning and roof repair, talk to professionals at Roof Cleaner today.

616-240-3465

Black Streaks On Area Roofs

As I drive around the West Michigan area, I notice that there are hundreds of houses with black streaks running up the shingles on the roof. What are these streaks and are they harmful to your shingles?

Those “Black streaks” are actually airborne algae, Gloeocapsa. When a spore lands on your roof it feeds on the limestone filler used in many shingles. As it feeds on the limestone it grows up your roof line taking over the shingles if left untreated.

Not only do these “black streaks” look unsightly, they lead to premature shingle failure and can also cause your heating/cooling costs to rise.

Luckily there is a way to remove this algae from the roof, safely and without any danger to you.

Roof Cleaner is a West Michigan company that uses the soft-wash method, which is the method that shingle manufactures recommend for the cleaning of shingles. Our soft-wash uses no high pressure to remove the stains, mold, mildew or lichen that grow on the roofs in the area, if fact we use the pressure of a garden hose only.

Our process not only removes the organisms from your roof, we gaurnteee that it will stay clean for 2 years. We also offer a 5 year protection plan for even more peace of mind.

Don’t wait until your roof is so over run with algae that the only option is spending thousands of dollars for new shingles to be installed. Call now and have your roof washed, it will add years to your shingles and at a fraction of the cost. 

(616)240-3465       roofcleaner@inbox.com     

House Washing

Winter weather often leaves its marks on our home exteriors in a variety of ways, including gray/brown dirt and mildew growth. The buildup is gradual, and we often don’t notice it happening until we step back and take a good look: do your whites look a bit dingy and grey? Are there streaks or spots on your siding? Mildew is especially prone to grow on the north side of the house–how does yours look?

With the temperatures rising and the days getting longer, now is a great time to wash away the memory of the colder months and have your house spruced up for spring! Great Lakes Roof & Exterior Cleaning, Certified Soft Wash Specialists are experienced with dirt and mildew removal on homes, roofs and gutters.

Power washing/pressure washing can remove the dirt and mildew, along with the paint or stain, and can damage the surface.  That’s why we only use Soft-Was methods to clean and restore the beauty back into your home.

Roof Cleaner is a great way to clean your:

- Wood, Vinyl, Aluminum or Masonry Siding

- Patio, Deck or Fence

- Driveway, Sidewalk or Walkway

- Gutters

- Garage Doors

- Roof

Roof Cleaner provides service to the following areas of Michigan:

Grand Rapids, Ada, Lowell, Forest Hills, East Grand Rapids, Cascade, Comstock Park, Rockford, Sparta, Standale, Jenison, Grandville, Hudsonville, Holland, Grand Haven, Muskegon, Zeeland, Alpine.

If you do not see your town, don’t worry we can take care of you anywhere in Western Michigan.

Your house is being ROBBED

Yes, the tagline is true. Allowing mold buildup to accumulate on your siding and decking materials is literally costing you money in the long run. Regular safe low pressure power washing of these areas is recommended in order to take advantage of the full length of the long life of vinyl siding, trim and todays composite decking materials. Of course the real immediate benefit is the fact that your house will look like new. It’s like the “I just left the car wash feeling” except it’s your whole house. And did we mention that it’s as easy as ordering pizza. One call or email and you’ll get a free estimate within 24 hours. Thats it!

Follow our blog (http://roofcleaner.blogspot.com) for information and before and after pictures showing first hand what makes Roof Cleaner the choice of todays maintenance conscious home owner.