We have been talking more and more about home improvements now the bad weather seems to be setting in and there are some jobs that are best done before the sleet and snow comes! The inside of the house is the place where things are most noticeable but what about those areas that you don't always think about?

You may already know how useful a pressure washer is for making light work of some tough cleaning jobs, but is there any reason why you can’t also use it to remove dirt, moss and mould from your roof? I personally hadn't given it much though but apparently by just using a wider spray and start cleaning from a safe distance, you can gradually move in closer towards the roof so that you can clean the asphalt and shingles effectively. If you have a pressure washer like the ones you can get at www.karcher.co.uk, here is a look at what you need to know before you clean your roof with it.

What’s on your roof?

If you have an asphalt shingle roof then it is actually an excellent food source for organisms like lichen, mould, algae and mildew.

This is because many of the asphalt shingles fitted these days contain a limestone filler which helps to add weight to the shingles and make the roof sturdier. This same limestone filler is on the menu for the algae, which will feed on it and unfortunately, degrade the quality of the roof over time and reduce its lifespan.

Points to consider

If you are going to be successful in your attempts to clear all the things like moss that are enjoying the free meal on your roof, you have to assess the state of your roof and see what needs to be done.

In order to remove things like algae and lichen, the water pressure required will have to be more powerful than the pressure you are going to get from an ordinary garden hose. A pressure washer with a strong enough jet of water is perfect for the job, and pretty much the only way that you are going to successfully remove the offending organisms.

The current state of your roof is an important consideration and you need to assess its condition before you make any attempts to clean your roof with your pressure washer. If your roof shingles are showing signs of damage or are clearly loose, you probably may want to re-consider using your pressure washer until you have had a roofer look at the roof, and repair any minor damage before you carry on with the cleaning.

Say goodbye to algae and moss

The answer to the original question is yes, pressure washers are fantastic tools for cleaning your roof and ridding it of some of that unsightly algae and moss.

The key to making the job a successful one and getting the roof looking good again without causing any damage, is to proceed with caution and harness the power of your pressure washer but use a nozzle that allows you to get a “soft wash”.

A garden hose doesn’t have enough pressure to shift the debris, but at the same time you don’t want to use the full power of your pressure washer and use a nozzle that projects a concentrated powerful spray of water in too small a radius. You can change the bar of your pressure washer by using nozzles that have a larger orifice, so look for the kits that allow you to do this.

Using the right nozzle and taking a patient approach to cleaning your roof will often be the answer. Now you know another great application for using your pressure washer to keep your home looking in top shape.

Finlay Jordan is a home maintenance professional and he has contributed towards putting this handy advice together. Always on call, he often blogs about common maintenance issues and questions from his clients to help other homeowners care for their houses.

Now, let's hope for a spell of sunshine this Autumn, so we can get outside and get jetwashing!!

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This post is in collaboration with Karcher.