Spring roof cleaning 101

Time for a good cleaning: sweep off, clean the gutters and bypass from your cisterns

After pollen season . . . after a winter of moss and algae growth . . . cedar buds, fir needles and arbutus bark, it is time for a good roof and gutter clean. 

If you are hiring someone to do this, make sure of these 4 important criteria are met:

1. Make sure your collection system is diverted and bypassed so wash-water, debris and any cleaning products used do not go into your cistern! It will foul your water and make it unusable.
2. Ensure your contractor has WCB or other insurance coverage for injury. This is slippery and dangerous work
3. Confirm they use BC WorkSafe practices for fall prevention.
4. Make sure roof is rinsed thoroughly with clean water before putting your rain collection system back online to your cistern.

Take care and happy rain harvesting over the spring and summer. Be sure to divert first 10-20 gallons of rainfall after an extended dry period (week or more).