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Roof raking helps clear snowfall from your roof and, in turn, you hope that this prevents ice dams. But can roof raking actually cause them? Generally, no, it cannot. But you should note that while, in some cases, you might successfully prevent ice dams from forming near the edge of your roof by keeping it cleared with a roof rake, they could still form higher up on the roof, where you are unable to reach. This may leave you wondering: Does roof raking prevent ice dams? While it is not a 100% guaranteed way to prevent them, it does help.

The best time to clean the outside of your house is during your outdoor spring cleaning. Wait until late spring, after the wave of pollen is done coating your home. You can also wash your house in late fall–before the first freeze–to remove leaves and branches from the gutters.

It may require stronger cleansers or chemicals, higher-pressure spray, or scrubbing to completely remove algae from a metal roof. Start with a mild cleanser; if that doesn’t work and you're comfortable doing so, use a stronger mix of ⅓ cup of laundry detergent, 1 quart of bleach, and 3 quarts of water to gently scrub the algae with a soft-bristled brush. If algae is present across large portions of your roof, doesn’t come off with gentle scrubbing and cleansers, or is in hard-to-reach areas, this may be a job better left to a pro.

Roof cleaning can damage shingles if it’s done incorrectly—like with a high-power power washer—but it likely won’t damage your roof if you pay to have an expert do the work. A professional roof cleaner will use a gentle cleaning solution and a cleaning method that matches your roof material to ensure the process doesn’t damage the roof. Some homeowners worry that roof cleaning will shorten the life of their roof by removing shingle particles or protective coatings, but it often extends roof life by removing plants that cause damage and improves your home’s curb appeal simultaneously.