Will Bleach Damage Roof Shingles
No, a DIY 50-50 bleach solution is recommended in many cases and should not damage your roof shingles. However, always check with your manufacturer to make sure that its safe for your specific type of shingle.
However, undiluted bleach can damage the metal roof flashings, gutter, and drain spouts connected with your roof. It may also lighten the color of your roof.
Guide For Algae & Moss Removal On Your Roof
If you live in the South, Midwest, or another region of the country that has warm, humid summers, you may have noticed stains and streaks showing up on your asphalt shingles. These stains look a lot like moldbut in fact, much of this so-called mold is actually blue-green algae . In some cases, what looks like mold might be more properly classified as moss.
In less frequent instances, the streaks on the roof actually are mold, which can be very dangerous for your family and more difficult to get rid of. The most serious mold cases can cause asthma, headaches, and other health problems, so its crucial to understand the difference.
Option Two: Oxygen Bleach
For those against using straight household bleach, oxygen bleach is another alterative in eliminating algae stains. Oxygen bleach uses hydrogen peroxide versus sodium hypochlorite as an oxidizer. The result comes in liquid or powdered form for an eco-friendlier choice.
Once mixed with water, the power or liquid eliminates all foreign specimens without taking the color out of your shingles. In addition, it doesnt affect the vegetation surrounding your home. Using a pump sprayer, spray the solution on the roof continuously for 10 or 15 minutes. The oxygen bleach attacks the roof algae directly and begins to take the stains away.
After the allotted time, take a scrub brush and lightly scrub the shingles. Apply more solution while you work for a deeper clean and hose off the roof once finished. If needed, repeat the previous steps until the stains are gone.
Other special products for removing algae include:
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Real Estate Investor From Washington District Of Columbia
Mold doesnt grow on inorganic objects. Sorry to say, but its probably growing in the plywood under the shingles and a cleaning isnt going to cut it.
Blue/green algae can cause that
Copper fungicide is in lawn and garden at lowes or Home Depot
Copper sulfate works
Algae is what I meant. Whatever causes the stains on the shingles.
Vinegar Solutions Work Against Moss
A solution of equal parts apple cider vinegar and water has long been touted as an effective herbicide and pesticide. Using it does kill algae and moss, but not mold.
And caution must be taken to protect nearby bushes and plants because overspray will damage them. Vinegar quickly changes the pH of the soil making it inhospitable to most plants.
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How Do I Get Rid Of Mold On My Roof
How to Clean Mold Off a Roof
Lexuri Tortella
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Why Is Bleach A Good Roof Cleaner
Bleach is a class of compounds widely used to whiten clothes and remove stains and as a disinfectant to kill germs.
Liquid household bleach has 5.25 to 8.25% of the active sodium hypochlorite ingredient. It also contains other secondary ingredients such as sodium hydroxide which is intended to keep the solution alkaline.
It is the sodium hypochlorite in bleach that denatures proteins in microorganisms that thrive on roofs. This ingredient is effective in killing algae, mildew, mold, fungi, bacteria, and viruses.
The Sodium hypochlorite becomes hypochlorous acid when it comes into contact with water. Hypochlorous acid is the active ingredient further that attacks proteins that make up the microorganisms leading to the destruction of the algea as well as other microorganisms on your roof shingles.
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S You Shouldnt Use To Remove Moss From A Roof
Unfortunately, there is a lot of bad advice out there about how to remove moss. While these methods may be effective at removing moss, they may also damage shingles in the process. We dont recommend you try to remove your moss by:
- Scrubbing: You may be tempted to scrub the moss off the shingles because moss grips shingles quite strongly. However, scrubbing is likely to damage the asphalt shingles and remove their granules.
- Pressure washing: Pressure washers can be very strong and certainly strong enough to break a shingles adhesive and lift it up. They also can strip asphalt shingles of their granule surface, which can ruin their performance and destroy their color. Any amount of pressure washing can cause serious problems with the roof, including major leaks. Never use a pressure washer or a pressurized stream of water on your roof.
- Using harsh chemicals: High concentrations of bleach and other chemicals may do permanent damage to the shingles, increasing your risk for leaks.
Using any of these methods may also void your limited warranty on the roof. If youre in doubt about the safety or effectiveness of a moss removal method you want to try, consult with a professional roofer. A handful of roofers in areas where moss infections are common do specialize in removing moss. They may be able to do the work for you and, if not, may have recommendations about what your specific roof can benefit from.
How To Remove Mold From Roof Shingles
Mold can be found nearly anywhere there is a lot of moisture, such as around leaky pipes, wet basements, and even on your roof. Characterized by its black-greenish hue, algae can gradually eat away at roof shingles, resulting in rot and an unsightly appearance. Mold on roof shingles often appears as black streaks or stains, and while it is more common in climates that experience warm, humid summers, mold can grow in a wide range of conditions.
Removing fungus, moss, mildew, and associated stains from a roof is no easy feat. That is why many homeowners rely on experienced roofing contractors to complete the job. However, if you believe you are up for the task, take the time to protect your property and gather the right equipment and supplies for the job. Learn how to remove mold from roof shingles and discover why you may want to consider hiring a professional.
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Let The Pros Do Their Job
Set a schedule to have your home professionally inspected for roof damage at least annually twice a year is ideal. Scheduling an inspection before the start of a severe weather season is a great way to catch issues like loose shingles or failing flashing before they become a major problem. Having your roof inspected after a major storm is just as important, plus post-storm repairs may be covered by your homeowners insurance.
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How To Use Bleach To Cleanroof Shingles
Using bleach is a fast and efficient way of cleaning and keeping your roof shingles clean. It can be is used to clean stained and dirty roof shingles.
Some of the items you will need for the method below include water, chlorine bleach, 1 cup of powdered laundry soap, a stiff roof broom/brush, ladder pump garden sprayer, a large bucket, a ladder, gloves, apron, goggles and rubber soled shoes with good gripping.
Precautions
Bleach irritates mucous membranes, the skin and the respiratory system. Do not forget to put on protective gear gloves, lab coat or plastic apron, and goggles
Bleach reacts readily with other chemicals, so caution should be exercised when using this chemical. Ensure the area is well ventilated when diluting or using bleach.Cold water should be used for dilution as hot water decomposes the active ingredient, sodium hypochlorite, rendering it ineffective.
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Choose A Safe And Effective Product To Clean Asphalt Shingles Without Damaging Them
The first step in maintaining your roof is to roof it right. If youre not doing the work yourself, choose a qualified professional roofer to do the job. And choose your roofing material wisely. Some roofing will require less maintenance than others. Choices include metal and slate. Some roofings types last longer than others, as well. That said, data shows that you are probably going to choose asphalt shingles, which can last a lifetime, but likely not without some repairs and maybe replacing a few shingles here and there. And, you may need to clean the roof once in a while.
Twenty years ago I bicycled about 500 miles along the Oregon / Northern California coast and marveled at the number of asphalt shingle roofs carpeted with lichens and moss. The roof growth gave character to many seaside and forest cottages. Though the roofs looked cool, I knew the shingles probably wouldnt last too much longer.
Lichens and moss accelerate shingle deterioration by loosening shingle granules and exposing the asphalt and fiberglass base materials. The granules arent just there to color the shingles they protect the base materials from sunlight and weathering.
About five years ago, I noticed a few patches of lichens growing on the north side of my roof. Like most lazy homeowners, I ignored the problem. Then about two years ago, when the roof looked like those out in the Pacific Northwest, I knew I couldnt put off treating the growth any longer.
Benefits Of Using Bleachfor Roof Cleaning
Bleachis readily available and one of the fastest ways of cleaning algae from theroof and shingles. It is a strongcleaner that kills algae and fungus and removes stains that comes with it. Itmakes it easy to get rid of dirt on the roof and shingles.
There is no need of rinsing or inspecting theroof after the application.
Oxygenbleach is recommended because it does not harm plants and animals in theenvironment. It saves time and energy because there is no need of wateringplants and vegetation before cleaning the roof with bleach.
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Would You Believe Fungus
Yessiree… the 3M Companyhas developed an additive for asphalt roofingshingles using copper granules. This unique advance in shingle technologygives long-term fungus protection for the entire roof. Theycall it the AlgaeBlock system. You can find more information onthese special roofing shingles HERE.
3M is not a manufacturer of asphalt shingles, just the granules. However, at the time of this writing they do list anumber of companies that are producing shingles meeting their specifications.
Saturate The Shingles With Wet & Forget
You will start the process by saturating the shingles with the roof cleaner. The biodegradable cleaner is a unique and effective way to clean any exterior surface. Upon application is will attack algae while protecting the integrity of your roof, getting rid of stains without harming it in any way! You can apply it once it has been diluted with water. The gentle cleaning action of a gentle cleaner will remove even the most stubborn stains. It doesnt require scrubbing, rinsing or harmful acids to clean your roof shingles. Its also safe for your skin too! It takes time depending on how much algae is present on your shingles. I may multiple applications but should be able to see initial results within 30 minutes 1 hour
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How To Clean Mold Off Roof Shingles
- Written by Carol S. on Dec 13, 2009To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience.Reviewed by
Mold stains can form on roof shingles that are in permanent shade. These stains will discolor your roof and damage the shingles over a period of time if left alone. Extensive mold growth can also expose the interior of your attic or crawlspace to mold spores, carrying the problem over to the inside. Not to worry, though, because you can clean the mold off with basic household bleach and save your roof long before you need an expensive replacement. Follow the steps below to remedy this problem.
How To Prevent Moss On Roof
Happily, there are preventive measures you can use to keep your roof moss-free. First, let the sunshine in! Trim branches overhanging your roof, keep gutters free of debris, and regularly remove moisture collectors, such as leaves, branches, and seedpods, that pile up on the roof and encourage moss to grow. The best long-term solution? Attach strips of zinc or zinc-coated metal flashing strips just below a roofs peak or ridge caps. When it rains, water flows over the metal strips leaching out moss-retardant zinc particles, which attach to roof shingles and/or tiles to stop new moss from forming.
Working safe, smart, and strategically guarantees your moss-removal operations will run smoothly. These prevention measures mean youll be able to stay off the ladder and roof for seasons, if not years, to come.
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Should I Use A Biocide Or Fungicide During Roof Mold Cleanup
Use of fungicidal encapsulants may reduce but not eliminate the risk of future mold growth, primarily, or more lastingly because such encapsulants reduce the future uptake of moisture in the wood materials.
Fungicidal chemicals themselves can be expected to break down over time and should not be relied on as âmold proofingâ.
See these articles for details on using mold sprays, fungicides, coatings, encapsulants in attics
In our roof interior photo at left you can see antique roof framing along with black stains and probably some mold growth from a long history of roof leaks. Even in this case, in our OPINION the reasons to remove and replace roof sheathing and framing would normally be based on the condition of the roof framing and sheathing, not on the presence of mold or stains.
We remove mold from roof framing and sheathing
We replace rotted or unsafe roof framing or sheathing, combining that work with a new roof covering as well.
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How To Use Bleach Mixtures On Your Roof
The following procedure is for bleach-cleaning only using JOMAX. If JOMAXis not available in your area, use a TSP mixture with bleach added.
If you think it wise to leave the bleach-brew on the roof longer than therecommended time, thinkagain! As mentioned earlier, long term exposure to bleach can damage most any surface, and yourroof is no exception. However, this piecemeal approach is the likelyto cause the least damage.
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Can You Clean An Asphalt Shingle Roof
You can clean an asphalt shingle roof, and you should if you notice any type of damage occurring on it. There are numerous products available to clean asphalt roofing the aisle that sells shingles at your local home reno store will also probably sell cleaning products.
Cleaning of asphalt shingles is primarily done via chemical means. Using brunt force to scrub or scrape shingles is not a good idea and will only exacerbate the wear on the shingle itself, shortening its lifespan more. There are several recommended cleaners, but using a bleach mixture is usually best.
What To Know Before Cleaning Mold From The Roof Shingles
The first thing to consider before taking on the cleaningtask is safety. The work involves working at height and a mold-infested roofcould be very slippery. This makes roof cleaning risky for those working on theroof. The fact that chemicals are involved in the process also presents anotherrisk that requires a safety precaution. The following are some safetyprecautions to take before taking on this task.
- Wearanti-skid shoes. This help to avoid slipping from the roof.
- Wearrubber gloves, eye protection, and a gas mask to protect your body from thebleaching chemicals.
- Wearlong-sleeved shirts and pants that cover the whole body while working. Use anapron if possible.
After considering all the safety precautions, one can nowembark on the leaning exercise. The first method to consider is using thebleaching chemical.
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Get Rid Of Mold And Algae On Your Roof
The old standard method for cleaning algae and mold stains from asphalt shingles is to spray on a solution of chlorine bleach and water. Some people add TSP for extra cleaning power. You let the solution sit for about 5 minutes, or so. Then rinse it off with garden hose, not a pressure washer, which can damage your roofing.
However, I’m not recommending bleach for a few reasons: It’s toxic to plants , and it can damage shingles if it’s left on too long or isn’t completely rinsed off. You can protect your plants from bleach spray, but then you have the rinse water pouring down your gutters into your yard, etc. Not worth the trouble.
