DIY Roof Cleaning vs Professional Services: Pros and Cons

Eventually, each owner of a home has to ask themselves if they should do their roof cleaning themselves or support their roof’s appearance by hiring an outside company to clean it for them. One reason this subject is researched frequently is that there are real advantages and disadvantages to both choices. In this article, we will describe what goes into DIY roof cleaning vs professional services to help you make the best decision for your particular situation.

DIY Roof Cleaning—What’s Involved

DIY roof cleaning vs professional services starts with understanding what the job actually requires. Doing it yourself means buying cleaning solutions, renting or buying equipment, and working at heights—often without safety training.

The first step in making a decision between DIY roof cleaning vs professional services is gathering all of the information necessary for each type of job. When you do your own roof cleaning, you will need to purchase a cleaning solution or rent items; you may need to rent or buy equipment. Also keep in mind that if you are completing your own roof cleaning, you will be working at a height, and in most situations you will not have had prior safety training while working at vertical heights.

Pros of DIY Roof Cleaning

• More Affordable upfront cost ($50-$150 for materials)
• Time to complete the job is on your schedule
• Good for light cleaning in between professional cleanings
• Enjoyment and satisfaction of working with your hands (if you are an experienced DIYer)

Cons and Risks of DIY Roof Cleaning

• You are at risk of falling off your roof since these problems arise from working on roofs
• If you use the wrong type of cleaning products, your warranty may be voided
• If you used high-pressure washing, you may have removed most of the granules from your shingles
• Cleaning will remove moss or mildew, but usually only from the surface and not deep within the roof
• Roots of moss will often still have spores in them and will regrow almost immediately after cleaning is complete.

Professional Roof Cleaning — What to Expect

Using a professional service is typically a better idea than doing it yourself because the trained technician has the right type of equipment, knows how to use it safely, and will provide you with a complete high-pressure cleaning solution.

Pros of Hiring a Professional

• Will remove all types of organisms (i.e., moss, algae, lichen) from your roof and kill the roots
• Will have proper training and insurance so their employees can safely work on your roof
• Most professional roof cleaning jobs are completed in less than 4 hours
• Results from the professional roof cleaning should last for at least 1 to 3 years or longer
• Most companies will do a post-clean inspection of your roof.

Cons (Cost and Scheduling Considerations)

• Cost—approximately $300.00 to $600.00 or more depending on the size of your roof
• You will need to schedule your appointment for cleaning several days or weeks in advance
• If you are trying to get a cleaning done in the summertime, many companies may have a 2- to 4-week backlog.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

When Should You Hire a Professional Instead of DIY?

When do you need a DIY roof cleaning vs professional services? Debate, here’s a simple guide to help you decide:

• If you have a steep or multi-story roof, hire a pro.
• If moss has been growing on your roof for over a year, hire a pro.
• To get results that last longer than 6 months, hire a pro.
• If you have a flat single-story roof with only small amounts of debris, then DIY is suitable.
• DIY cleaning may be used to clean up your roof after the season before you have a professional do more extensive cleaning in the fall and winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is DIY roof cleaning vs professional services really a big cost difference?

A: DIY will typically cost between $50-$150 for the materials needed to perform the work yourself; however, the price range should be about $300-$600 if a professional does the cleaning. The results from professional roof cleaning may last up to 2-3 times longer, making the effective year-end cost for both options nearly equal.

Q: Is it safe to clean your own roof?

A: Yes, there is a high risk involved with trying to clean your own roof, with thousands of roof falls causing injuries every year in the United States. We recommend hiring a professional if your roof is either too steep or you do not feel comfortable cleaning it yourself.

Q: Will DIY roof cleaning void my warranty?

A: It may; many warranties require you to use professional cleaning services to maintain your warranty. Before attempting to clean your roof yourself, verify the terms of your warranty.

Q: What’s the best method for DIY roof cleaning vs. professional services?

A: You should consider using the same method of soft washing, which is using a water-based solution and spraying the roof from the ground with low pressure. Avoid using high-pressure washing as it will damage the roof shingles.

Q: How often should I clean my roof—DIY or professionally?

A: If you have someone do it, they recommend doing it every 1–2 years; if you are going to clean your roof regularly, you can do minor cleaning once every six months until the next time you refresh it.

Conclusion

The difference between hiring a reliable roofing contractor for DIY roof cleaning vs professional services is simply safety, results, and budget. If you are going to be doing only minor cleaning, then you may be able to accomplish most of your goals through DIY cleaning; however, long-term results typically result when you hire someone. When you add everything up, DIY vs professional service cleaning is typically not as cost-effective as cleaning your roof yourself. So, if you aren’t sure which type of cleaning is the best fit for your roof, request a free quote and roof assessment from a qualified roofing contractor today!