Colossal Roof Maintenance

The roof of the Chase Field Stadium, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, got a thorough cleaning this spring. Crews scaled the behemoth building to scrub the layer of brown grime from the roof to return it to its natural white color and to check on any maintenance needs. The stadium contracted a professional roofing company to scrub away the dirt with four pressure-washer pumps and scrubbing brooms. Four rotating crews of three or four people took several weeks to complete the project. It's also worth noting that the retractable roof receives regular applications of protective coating. The coating helps the roof resist damage from wind, storms and hail. The field manager plans to get the cleaning crew back in every three years to clean and maintain the roof.

Like any roof, a buildup of dirt and debris can cause deterioration and damage. In the case of Chase Field, the crew didn’t use any special chemicals — just elbow grease and water. It takes a delicate touch, training and expertise to clean roof materials without causing damage, howver. A property owner with an everyday pressure washer can cause more harm than help. On asphalt shingles, for example, a pressure sprayer can eat away at the protective granule coating.

While regular roof cleaning and maintenance can be relatively easy in some cases, in light of avoiding mistakes and potential damage (not to mention injury), it's usually best to hire a reputable roofing company and ask about the best course of action. Regular cleaning, particularly in areas where debris and algae are common, is critical to extending the life of your roof.