Garage Roof Maintenance
Seasonal Tips for UK Homeowners
If there is one thing you can be sure of living in the UK, it’s that there will be a lot of rain, wind, and snow.
Over the course of several decades, exposure to the elements is going to take a toll on your garage roof. Lots of water pooling means water damage, and debris like leaves and moss will start to cause structural problems if you don’t clear it off regularly.
A little upkeep goes a long way to extending the life of your garage roof, and neglecting your garage roof is going to cost you money down the line and lead to damage to your garage walls and surrounding property.
This guide will give you actionable tips and seasonal advice geared towards the UK climate so you can stay ahead of the weather and maintain your garage.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Why garage roof maintenance matters
- How to clean and care for your garage roof
- How to manage moss, damp and condensation
- A seasonal checklist to keep your garage roof in top condition
Why It’s Important to Inspect and Maintain Your Garage Roof
None of us enjoy spending our free time on our garage roofs. Cleaning away moss and scrubbing out the gutters isn’t exactly our favourite job in the world, but it helps us keep our garages and our homes in good shape.
Inspecting your roof will help you spot early signs of trouble such as drainage issues, holes and gaps.
You don’t want to be blindsided when these minor issues become a major problem. You might not notice your roof deteriorating over time if you aren’t keeping an eye out for it.
Also, poor drainage can become a nightmare. Damp patches and erosion around the base of the garage are expensive problems to fix.
At the end of the day, you want your garage to last as long as possible – especially if you have recently shelled out for a new roof or garage roof replacement.
Taking the time twice a year or so to maintain your garage roof will help to keep your roof sound and sturdy for many years to come.
Is Your Garage Roof Leaking or Damaged?
Get a quote to remove and replace your old garage roof with a 100% watertight roofing system.
How to Clean Your Garage Roof
The best way to clean your garage roof is going to be different depending on the type of material the garage roof is made from. Metal, wood, EPDM rubber, and tiles are all going to need to be maintained in a different way.
In this section, we will walk you through some of the different garage roof cleaning methods we recommend at Danmarque.
Pressure Washing vs Manual Cleaning
So, your options for cleaning really come down to pressure washing or doing it manually by hand. Obviously, no one wants to spend all afternoon scrubbing their garage roof – but only some roofs can stand up to a pressure wash.
Pressure Washing
If you have a strong roof made from a durable material like concrete or metal, you’re in luck. You will be able to power wash your garage roof to get rid of any debris (as long as there are no cracks or visible damage to the roof).
Do not even think about pressure washing your garage roof if it’s old and crumbling. Gaps, leaks, and cracks are going to be made worse by the force of the water jets.
Manual Cleaning
Do you have a tiled roof? Is your roof showing its age with cracks and wear?
Sorry, but you are going to need to clean it manually. A soft-bristled brush, some rubber gloves, and a bucket of warm water are going to be your best friends for cleaning these types of garage roof. Go slow and use a gentle hand so you don’t dislodge part of the roof and cause more damage.
You should clean your garage roof at least twice a year to keep it in good condition. Spring and summer are our favourite months, purely because no one wants to be working on their garage roof in winter!
Garage Roof Moss Removal
You might not think that moss on a garage roof is a big deal, but it is. Moss growth traps moisture and stops proper drainage whilst causing water to pool. This is going to cause your roof to deteriorate pretty quickly if you don’t address it.
Flat roofs or garages where there is little sunlight are more prone to moss than others.
How to Remove Moss on Your Garage Roof
Start by manually removing the moss using a stiff brush and hot water. Scrub gently to break up the moss without causing any damage to the garage roof.
Stubborn moss? There’s nothing worse. Use a specialist moss remover and be sure to follow the printed instructions on the bottle or container. Always scrub gently, especially if your roof shows signs of wear.
Moss Removal for Asbestos Garage Roofs
An asbestos roof is trickier to handle. You want the moss gone, but you don’t want to be scrubbing hard and dislodging any asbestos particles.
Our advice is to hire a professional contractor who is trained in dealing with asbestos rather than doing it yourself. A professional will know how to properly cover and clean the roof, and they will also know when it is best to just replace it and get a new roof.
Cleaning the Garage Roof Gutters
As with the rest of your garage roof, clean your gutters and downpipes at least twice a year. Use a brush and gloved hands to scoop out the debris and then flush the gutters out with clean water to check everything is flowing properly.
Do your gutters at the same time as you do your garage roof to save yourself multiple trips.
Ventilating the Garage to Reduce Damp and Condensation
Keeping your garage well-ventilated is just as important as exterior maintenance, especially with the weather in the UK being what it is. The last thing you need is damp, condensation, and even mould that can spread inside and do more damage.
Improve air circulation by adding vents or leaving garage windows open when you can. You can also try a fan or a dehumidifier.
Helping warm air escape and cold air to ventilate through your garage is going to keep it safe from condensation build-up and mould.
Protect Your Garage Roof from Condensation for up to 35 Years
Our garage roofs come equipped with DRIPSTOP anti-condensation membrane as standard.
Garage Roof Maintenance Checklist
Here’s our garage roof maintenance checklist to keep your garage in good shape:
- Wash the roof with water or mild solution
- Remove moss, algae and debris
- Drain and clean gutters and downpipes
- Ventilate the garage
- Wipe down uPVC accessories like window sills, doors sills and the window frames
- Wash walls, tiles and visible brickwork with a soft brush
Do that twice a year and your garage will stay in top condition for as long as possible.
Cleaning Your Garage Roof Safely
Whilst we have given you our best advice on how to thoroughly inspect, clean and maintain your garage roof – ensuring you do this safely is the most important thing.
If you’re garage is nearing the end of it’s days, or has visible signs of cracks, you need to be especially careful when cleaning the roof.
Whenever you are cleaning the roof, there should be no reason for you to be physically on top of the roof. One bad fall is enough to cause serious injuries.
Instead, you can use a ladder securely positioned at the side of the garage and clean from there.
If your garage roof is asbestos – we advise not cleaning the roof at all. Any disturbance to the asbestos panels will caause the harmful fibres to circulate. In this case, you should contact a professional to safely remove and replace the asbestos roof.
Signs Your Garage Roof Needs Replacing
Regular cleaning is great, but sometimes your garage roof is beyond saving and having it replaced is your best bet:
- If you spot any gaps or holes, or if you have a leak, you should look to get a new roof installed.
- If your roof has become too fragile or dangerous to maintain, you need to get a new one ASAP. Especially if your current roof is made from asbestos.
Danmarque offers cost-effective garage roof replacements which are watertight and come with a 35+ year lifespan. Gutters and downpipes are installed for free too, so your roof can stay like-new for longer.
If your garage roof is past the point of cleaning, contact us now to see how we can upgrade your garage.
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