Protect Your Home And Plants
Just as the organisms on your roof wont thrive in bleach, your plantings around your house wont like it either. To minimize damage to your lawn, shrubs, flowers, and trees, spray them with a nice rinse of water before you start on the roof. You may even want to cover them up with plastic sheeting. And when youre finished with the roof, spray the plants well one more time to rinse away as much of the runoff as you can.
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.
Assemble A Team And Get To It
Three hardy people can tear off and felt a roof in one day, but be careful. Only tear off what you can safely protect from the weather the same day, especially if youre working shorthanded. It always takes longer to weatherize than you think! Tear off the areas farthest from the trash container first. That way you wont tear up the new felt paper when you haul the rest of the debris to the container.
Go over the wood surface with a fine-tooth comb after tear-off. Pound in protruding sheathing nails and remove any leftover shingle nails, then sweep and install ice and water barrier and felt.
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How To Clean Roof Algae
The easiest way to clean algae off roofs is with the use of bleach and water. As long as the problem has not advanced to the point where the roof is seriously compromised, a 50/50 mix of bleach and water should clear away the algae and restore the cleanliness of your shakes or shingles. Bleach is the active ingredient that kills algae on contact.
After mixing bleach and water in a large plastic bucket, gradually spread the mixture over your roof with a mop. The algae should quickly loosen up and wipe away from the shingles as you cover the roof, foot by foot. Once you have finished, hose the mixture off the roof. This stage is a good time to check your gutters for any obstructions that could possibly impede the drainage process.
To prevent the re-growth of algae, line the shingles with copper flashing to inhibit any further development of algae, which is allergic to copper. Better yet, contact a roofing service professional to perform this service. A licensed roof cleaner will know how to keep balance and perform the job fast on a residential rooftop.
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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.
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A Better Way To Clean Your Roof
A better solution is to buy a commercial roof-cleaning product, such as Spray and Forget.
As a protective measure, you still have to spray any surrounding foliage with water before and after applying the cleaner, but there’s no rinsing required, and many of these products offer extended protection against future algae and mold growth. The best way to apply it is with a garden sprayer from the roof, but there also are concentrated versions you can hook up to a garden hose to apply from the ground.
One drawback of these cleaning solutions is that, unlike bleach, they take a little time to get rid of the staining, sometimes several weeks or months.
How To Identify Mold On Your Roofs
You can find mold nearly anywhere there is plenty of moisture. In most cases, you can find molds in leaky pipes, roofs, and wet basements.
Molds are best known for their black-greenish color. Molds on your roof shingles are characterized by their black streaks.
But they also prefer staying in warmer and humid environments. In general, molds can survive in an extensive range of conditions.
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The Benefits Of Removing Moss
While you may not necessarily have to remove the moss-covered shingles before a new roof installation, you should consider it. There are many benefits of removing the moss-covered shingles, including:
- Reduce long-term costs: By removing the old roof, you keep the opportunity to double-up roof layers during your next roof replacement. The maximum layers of shingles allowed to be on the roof, according to most building codes, are two. So, once you use this strategy, you must tear off both roof surfaces during your next roof replacement.
- Maintain home value: Are you planning on selling your home soon? A properly replaced roof is more likely to appeal to potential buyers, while a poorly replaced roof may negatively affect your home value.
- Avoid the risk of damage: You can avoid all of the risks listed earlier in this article by simply removing all of the moss-covered shingles.
What If I Like The Moss
Some homeowners find moss enchanting, like ivy growing up the side of their home. If youd like to grow moss or other plants on your roof, you could consider investing in a residential green roof. Thin, extensive green roofs are enough to grow succulents and mosses. If youre interested in taller plants, consider an intensive green roof.
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Rinse With Garden Hose
Youll wash it off with the water from your garden hose and repeat the process until the algae has all dispersed. Go slowly and use even strokes when washing the shingles clean. If the garden hose is not powerful enough, youll want to invest in something more powerful or hire a professional to do the cleaning for you.
Protect Your Roof Dont Damage It
Do not use a pressure washer! While it will strip the growth right off, it will also wear down and reduce the lifespan of the shingling underneath. In the short term its a great fix, but in the long run, you will cost yourself a lot more when you have to replace the entire roof sooner than you otherwise would.
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What Is The Best Cleaner For Roof Shingles
When cleaning roof shingles, there are several excellent cleaners you can use.
Two cleaners you can use to spray on your roof and then leave are Spray & Forget or Wet & Forget. You can also use chlorine bleach and water to clean your roof as the sodium hypochlorite in chlorine bleach is effective for cleaning algae, fungi, and moss. A third option is sodium hydroxide which is also known as lye.
In addition to these cleaners, you will also need a ladder, garden sprayer, hose, and a safety rope or harness.
Why Shouldnt I Add A New Roof Over Moss
When you need a new roof, it may be tempting to add a second layer of shingles over your existing shingles. Doubling up your shingles can save time and expense on your roof replacement as your roofer doesnt need to remove and dispose of the old shingles. This strategy is convenient for homeowners because the replacement wont take as long or make as much of a mess. However, there are some circumstances where merely adding a new layer of shingles isnt a good idea.
For example, when you have significant moss growth on your roof, simply covering it up with new shingles isnt wise. Several potential problems may occur if your roofer simply adds a new roof over your existing, moss-covered roof. These potential problems include:
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What Causes Black Streaks On Roof Shingles
Diagnosing what treatment to use when roof cleaning is as simple as taking a walk through the property with a professional. A professional will be able to take a look into what is actually growing on your roof, and will know the correct application in order to treat the algae and the amount of time it will take to remove it.
Lets talk about the two types of algae we come in contact with on a daily basis.
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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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Removing Moss And Algae From Asphalt Shingles: The Bottom Line
Preventing algae and moss from growing on your roof is easier than trying to remove it. Removal can take several months before the moss can be blown away, revealing clean shingles underneath. Always keep your roof clear of overhanging branches, and clean your gutters regularly. If your roof in Tampa needs repaired thanks to unchecked moss growth, contact Code Engineered Systems today for a free, no-obligation quote.
The Natural Way To Protecting Your Roof
There’s also the longstanding preventative measure of installing zinc or copper strips near the ridge line of the affected roof planes. Both metals contain minerals that naturally inhibit algae and mold. When it rains, the runoff water carries minerals off of the metal and washes them down the roof.
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How To Remove Roof Shingle Stains
Black or green shingle stains from mold, mildew, or algae can be unsightly. If left too long, they can also eat away at the asphalt granules and begin to compromise your roofs integrity. Its important to clean away the mold/mildew/algae on your roof here, our roofing experts tell you how to remove roof shingle stains with a cleaner:
Do My Shingles Need Cleaning
If your roof has black streaks, white-looking spots called lichen, or moss growing on it, then it needs to be cleaned. Failure to do so can cause the top asphalt layer to degrade prematurely. Moss growth will cause shingles to curl upwards, creating a greater chance of wind and water damage.
If your roof has any of this type of damage, exposing the roof to the sun by removing foliage will not solve the problem. Increased daylight will indeed mitigate the growth of moss and algae, but once it has grown, it will not simply disappear. It must be removed chemically.
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Can You Power Wash Asphalt Shingles
No. You should never power wash a roof. A garden hose sprayer is the highest pressure a roof shingle should experience no higher than 70 psi. Since pressure washers commonly spray up to and beyond 3000 psi, they should be avoided. Shingle manufacturers even ask that shingles not be walked on, much less pressure washed.
Using a pressure washer to clean your asphalt shingles can void their warranty and speed up the decay of your shingles. After pressure washing, youll likely notice tons of roof granules in your gutters because youve blasted your shingles too much. Avoid.
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Are Certain Roofing Materials More Prone To Algae
Algae are most likely to grow in certain environments. They prefer shaded, moist, humid areas, and they prefer to grow somewhere they can get nourishment. You are more likely to find algae growth on wood shingles and asphalt shingles, which is one reason many homeowners opt to go with metal roofs for their homes.
Black streaks on asphalt shingle roofs are the most common, perhaps due to how common this type of roofing is and also how great a place it is for algae to thrive.
If you have an asphalt shingle roof on your home, be sure you check it regularly for any signs of algae growth to help prevent premature aging.
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Why Should You Remove Algae From A Roof
The algae on your roof are unsightly and cause stains. In addition, algae interfere with the performance of highly reflective or cool roofs.
Moss causes the shingles to lift or curl which increases the chance of shingles blowing off. It also changes the water flow of the roof which may cause damage to any porches or roof decks you have.
How To Remove Mold & Algae On Your Roof
A lot of the dark streaky stuff found on roofs in wet climates like ours in the Lower Mainland and the South coast of B.C. is in fact, algae and not mold. There is difference between mold and algae and how they affect your roof. Algae commonly feeds on the limestone powder in asphalt shingles, while mold often thrives on plant and other organic matter thats fallen onto your roof.
You cant do anything to prevent algae and mold spores from flying through the air and landing on your roof, but you can help prevent mold growth by keeping the shingles free of organic matter.
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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.
Asphalt Shingle Roof Cleaning: What Not To Do
Cleaning a roof is a simple process, but there are easy ways to seriously damage your roof. Therefore, it is prudent to avoid the following when cleaning your roof:
- Never use a pressure washer.
- Spray roof from top to bottom. Spraying from bottom to top will force water up and under your shingles.
- Do not clean in the winter, as you risk having excessive amounts of water freeze on your shingles. Freezing water is expanding water, which means water could travel up and under your shingles.
- Dont let bleach or vinegar stay on your roof indefinitely. Vinegar or bleach left to sit can permanently disfigure your roof shingles or cause them to degrade prematurely.
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What Can Be Used To Remove Mold
A simple bleach solution can typically be used to eradicate mold from roof shingles. Bleach, unfortunately, is hazardous to plant life, including grass, that encircle your home. Because the bleach solution will most likely run down the roof and into the land below, its critical to take the necessary steps to safeguard your property from the bleachs effects. Plastic sheets should be used to protect plants, equipment, furniture, etc., in your yard. Using tarps to cover the grass will also prevent the bleach solution from absorbing into the soil. If this isnt possible, just sprinkle water on the grass as well as plants, to assist in reducing the bleachs impact.
Step 2 Apply And Make The Bleach Solution
It is advisable to put on a breathing mask and rubber gloves before proceeding further. This will protect your lungs from harmful fumes that are produced by both trisodium phosphate and bleach and also for protecting our skin.
Take a bucket and it is advisable for taking a two gallon bucket for preparing the cleaning solution. Fill the bucket by taking 3/4th of water and 1/4th amount of chlorine bleach. Then, add one tablespoon of Trisodium phosphate and mix it well.
Take the handheld pump spray with the solution you prepared. Apply it carefully on the roofing shingles which are affected by accumulated mold.
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