The Terracotta Concrete roof tiles on our little BnB Lily's Cottage do not stay this pleasing colour forever.
As algae and mold start penetrating the porous concrete, it becomes an ugly charcoal.
The question always is...
Should we leave it that colour and live with a charcoal roof that only we know is full of mold and mildew, or do we risk damaging the roof or plastic underlay by cleaning it with a high pressure water cleaner which is our preferred method as it’s much more effective and way faster?
The latter always wins the day, as a roof with Terracotta tiles looks way more attractive than a moldy charcoal roof.
One can brush on a strong bleach solution, leave it to soak, brush again and wash it off.
This however is a much more time consuming method so we always opt for a good pressure cleaner.
Our trusted high pressure cleaner died a sudden death so off to the local Hire Shop hubby went.
He chose a heavy duty high pressure cleaner that uses petrol.
This powerful little baby knew just how to do the job under the experienced hands of our painter and his assistant!
Clay or Concrete?
Here in South Africa clay or concrete roof tiles is the most popular roof material; but what is the difference?
Concrete is more porous therefore water penetrates it easier causing mold or mildew buildup.
These tiles may be very durable, but they're also very heavy, adding stress to roof rafters.
They come in many designs, can be painted and are easily obtainable.
Clay roof tiles are not a good option in colder climates, as they can crack when exposed to freezing temperatures, a problem we never have to face here in our province Kwazulu Natal with its mild sub-tropical climate.
Concrete, on the other hand, certainly can withstand colder temperatures, making them a safe option in virtually any climate.
The job of roof-cleaning halfway done.
Budget Planning
Cost always come into play when budgeting for a building project so while the initial outlay may appear to be less with concrete roof tiles, in the long term this is not the case as the underlay has to be much stronger.
Clay tiles on the other hand is lighter and do not require as much maintenance as concrete roof tiles.
Clay roof tiles are baked molded clay, highly durable and super insulating as well. Further, they are light weight and much easier to maintain.
Clay tiles however get lichen growth (a combination of algae and fungi) which is way more difficult to remove as one has to use chemicals to kill the lichen, a scraper and a heavy duty brush and only then can a high pressure cleaner do its job!
Therefore there are a lot of factors to take into account when deciding which material to use on a building project.
This is the clay roof of our main house which still has to be cleaned; note the greyish lichen in places.
Our cottage roof looking brand spanking new after being spray-cleaned.
Something vitally important when undertaking roof cleaning, is the mess it's going to make, so think carefully before you undertake that painting project you've been wanting to do and consider the state of your roof.
Our fingers got burnt once upon a time.
The walls were looking so good with their new coat of paint, but it was covered by a roof with lichen here and there.
That just didn't look good, so we decided to clean the roof.
Our gardener looked very bemused watching all of this and with a smile on his face said to me
You wash your hair first and then the body;)
Very true, as those newly painted walls had to be washed and sprayed afterwards!
Definitely a job done in a not so orderly fashion but we were young and inexperienced!
Thankfully we all learn from our mistakes not so;)
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