Best Way To Clean Asphalt Roof Shingles
1. Contact a Professional First.Working with a licensed, experienced professional for your roof cleaning task is highly recommended. A licensed contractor can minimize damages to your roof and ensure it is cleaned in a safe, efficient way. Reach out to Long Roofing for any of your roofing cleaning, repair, or replacement needs. We can help you find the most efficient, affordable solution.
2. Eco-Friendly Methods. Make sure that environmentally-friendly cleaners are the only chemicals used to get your roof clean. This will protect you, your family, and your flower beds, not to mention it will be better on your asphalt shingles. Ask your roofing contractor what eco-friendly cleaners they recommend.
3. Remember the Gutters. Cleaning your gutters is one of the best ways to ensure your roof stays healthy. Making sure the gutter system remains clean will help prevent roof rot and water overflow, which in turn protects your foundation.
4. Use the Right Tools and Equipment. You should never go to your asphalt shingle roof with sharp, harsh materials or equipment. Gentle, shingle-safe brooms and brushes are ideal. Avoid sharp metals that could damage or dislodge your shingles.
5. Tree Trimming. While long tree branches are beautiful to look at, theyre bad for your roof. Trimming back any overhanging tree limbs will prevent leaves, sticks, and branches from falling on your roof, helping keep your roof clean and safe.
How Much Bleach Is Safe For Your Roof
When using bleach, the amount you use is a key factor that will determine the results. According to ARMA a 50/50 solution of household strength sodium hypochlorite and water is sufficient to remove moss and algae. Below is a discussion from a roof cleaning expert explaining how much sodium hypochlorite is too much to damage your roof.
How To Prevent Black Streaks On Roof
If youve already removed the algae from your roof once and you want to make sure you dont get it again, or if youre building a new house and you want to make sure that your roof doesnt get those black streaks from algae, there are 2 things you can do to prevent the algae from forming:
#1 Look for algae-resistant roof shingles which have either copper or zinc added to prevent the algae from forming.
Heres how AR roof shingles work:
If exposed to sunlight, the ultraviolet rays will readily break down asphalt shingles. Thats why the shingles you see are covered with the small colored ceramic granules. These create a powerful sunscreen and offer you different colors to match your exterior decorating scheme. Many shingle manufacturers make shingles that have special colored granules that contain copper. These help to prevent the ugly black roof-algae stains you might see on your existing roof or that of a neighbor.
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Roof Moss Removal: Cleaning Mold Algae & Moss From Your Roof
We donât recommend trying to handle roof algae and moss removal on your own. We recommend hiring a professional.
If you are a DIY person capable of climbing a ladder and not afraid of heights, you may be able to tackle algae or moss removal yourself.
The safest method for your roof and the environment is to use a product called Spray and Forget or Wet and Forget. These products can be purchased at most local hardware stores, can be put into a hose-end sprayer, and applied in many cases from the ground or a ladder or the edge of the gutter. These methods can take 3-6 months to work but are the safest. Take some time to research these products before use.
Another more aggressive method for quicker results is the use of water and bleach. Below are the general steps for this method:
- Mix 1 part oxygen bleach cleaner with 1 part water.
- Pour the bucket of solution onto the affected area of the roof and let it soak for 30 minutes.
- For larger sections affected by algae or moss you could put this solution into a spray pump and apply. Be extremely careful not to step on wet algae or moss as it is very slippery and could cause a slip and fall!
- After 30 minutes, rinse the mixture off with your hose on a low-pressure setting. NEVER PRESSURE WASH YOUR ROOF. The moss wonât come off your roof immediately, but within a few days, it will dry up and blow off with the wind. If your roof is pretty well-covered in moss, you might need to use a leaf blower to get rid of the remains.
In Conclusion: Roof Cleaning Is Effective
Hiring a professional roof cleaning company may be the way to go if you have an unwalkable roof. Theyre going to have all of the proper equipment and will protect your landscape along with reducing liability because their pumps can shoot high enough that they do not need to climb on the roof to clean it. All in all, roof cleaning can lengthen the life of your roof, as the algae is currently eating the limestone in the shingles and the coating on your metal roof reducing the life of the shingles or metal roof dramatically making them brittle after deterioration. Roof Cleaning can kill the algae at the spore level and a proper roof cleaning should last at least 3 years, unless your home sits under mass amounts of canopy and has a lot of vegetation dropping on it year round or problems with drainage on the roof .
Have your roof cleaned to extend the life of your investment, we all know it wasnt cheap.
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Understanding The Benefits Of Shingle Cleaning For Your Home
If you own a home, you know how important it is to keep up with maintenance. Homeowners take pride in the appearance of their homes and view dirty or stained roofs as a negative mark on their homes upkeep. While having shingle cleaning services isnt something that needs to be done regularly, its beneficial to understand the process. By being informed, you can determine when shingle cleaning services need to be scheduled for your home.
Shingle roofs installed by Matute Roofing have an advantage. When keeping the aesthetic of your home is a priority, our contractors have you covered. Our exceptional product lines are installed by highly-qualified, GAF-certified master-roofing professionals. We know our customers are getting all the benefits from the very beginning. We understand the importance of proper installation to ensure the longevity of your roof. Matute Roofing professionals take your investment very seriously. We guarantee every detail will be taken care of during your roofing service. Give us a today!
Prepare Your Cleaning Materials
There are specific ways and requirements for you to clean asphalt shingles, and no, its not just soap and water.
Instead, youll need to use specific types of chemicals like sodium hypochlorite, to get rid of algae stains and other dirt your roof may have.
Whatever the case, never use a harsh chemical! Thats strictly forbidden because it could potentially depreciate the lifespan of your roof.
As a general rule, make sure to use products recommended and safe for asphalt shingles.
If you dont want any of the commercial cleaners in the market, you can make your own as an alternative! Its easy because all youll need is equal parts of water and laundry-strength chlorine bleach. Youre good to go!
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Roof Cleaning Products For An Asphalt Shingle Roof
Bleach can be corrosive and unpleasantto work with, so you can opt for a roof cleaner to do the job instead. Aprofessional-grade cleaning product will target roof algae, like Gloeocapsa magma. Plus, you wont haveto mix anything yourself.
These cleaning products contain chemicalslike sodium hypochlorite that lift deeply-set discoloration. While sodiumhypochlorite isnt as strong as bleach, you should still exercise care whenhandling it:
There isnt a single type of roof cleaning product on the market. So, one could work better for the particular spores you have than another. The only way to find the best product for your circumstances is through trial and error. We recommend experimenting with multiple products to figure out what works for your roofing.
Hire A Roof Inspector
Your roof should be inspected at least once a year. At Preman Roofing-Solar, we offer cleaning as part of routine maintenance to your roof. Our team can also check for leaks, apply a sealant to flashing, and repair or replace roof shingles as needed. Weve proudly served the San Diego area for over 20 years, and all of our work and pricing comes with our guarantee.
With proper roof maintenance, an asphalt shingle roof can last 20 years. Cedar shingles can last up to 30 years before they need to be replaced. But without regular cleaning and inspection, you may need to replace your roof in as little as 8 years.
Even if you prefer to clean your roof yourself, regular inspection can also prevent serious structural problems from water damage and wood rot. Excess water can lead to mold and mildew problems, which can cause respiratory problems and flare-ups for people with asthma.
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Contact Your Trusted Collingwood Roofers Today
For more information on how to remove mold from your roof and why its important to do so, contact us today. As an experienced roofing contractor, well handle everything from new roof installation to roof repair to roof maintenance, such as removing mold and algae. Contact us today for more information.
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Clean Your Roof Without Damaging Shingles With Non
If you Google how to clean your roof with pressure washing, youll find some bad advice out there. The truth is you can damage your roof without proper cleaning tools and techniques. Cleaning your roof, in Melbourne Florida, is best left to the professionals for both your safety and your roofs safety because a different roof cleaning method and wash is necessary for a shingle roofs composition. At Pressure Washing by Mike Schwab we use the safest method to clean your roof ensuring we protect your singles with non-pressure cleaning.
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Asphalt Shingle Roof Cleaning
If you have an asphalt shingle roof with a moss & algae problem, proper maintenance will be the difference between premature replacement and getting your full life expectancy. It may come as a surprise, but its not uncommon to lose up to 40% due to moss & algae, or improper cleaning.
Every company will tell you something different about the best way to clean and maintain your roof, and we recognize that it can be confusing.
Our process comes directly from the recommendations of ARMA and the NRCA , and is the unanimous choice for largest roof cleaning organizations in North America, the RCIA and the PRCA .
You can learn more about our process here.
How To Remove And Prevent Black Algae Stains On Asphalt Shingle Roofs
If you live in a humid area of the country, youve probably seen unsightly dark streaks on asphalt shingle roofs. Though often attributed to an accumulation of dirt, defective shingles, mold, or mildew the most common culprit is actually a blue-green algae known as Gloeocapsa Magma that is spread by airborne spores.
While algae growth does little harm to roofing, the stains dont help the overall appearance or resale value of your home.
You may also have noticed that algae stains are absent directly below the metal flashing around chimneys or roof vents. This is due to fact that copper and the zinc coating on galvanized sheet metal are toxic to algae. Every time it rains, trace amounts of metals are washed down the roof, inhibiting algae growth.
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How To Clean Roof Shingles From The Ground
If you are concerned about voiding the warranty on your roof shingles due to walking on them, then you can clean your shingles from the ground. In this instance, using a garden sprayer attachment with your hose is ideal. Put liquid bleach in the sprayer and apply from the ground. Apply bleach from top to bottom, as you dont want to spray up and under the shingles.
It is important to note that leaving the bleach on the roof to sit too long will damage the roof. Ensure that you rinse the roof after 15 or 20 minutes. Repeat if necessary until all the damage is gone.
Best Time to Clean an Asphalt Shingles Roof
The best time to clean a shingle roof is when there is no rain in the forecast for several days and when temperatures will not drop below freezing. Freezing will freeze water to your roofs surface, negating the effects of the cleaner.
How To Identify Algae On My Roof
While algae can be found on all roofs types, its often drawn to asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles are pretty common to use since they are less expensive. These types of shingles are generally mixed with crushed limestone and fiberglass with asphalt to make the shingle. The crushed limestone, in particular, is a common food source for mold or algae and the main reason why it may be more likely to show up on asphalt roof shingles.
Some signs that you are dealing with an algae infestation are:
- An Odor: Growing mold often gives off a gross, musty odor. Even if there are no visible signs of decay, a musty smell is a tell-tale sign of mold lurking nearby.
- A Leaky Roof: If that smell that we mentioned is coming from your attic, then its probably a problem relating to mold on your roof. If you have a leaky roof, the chance of decay gets even higher. Many things can cause a leak, but the main problem is that it lets moisture get to wood materials. This causes wood rot and mold growth.
- Dark Streaks: Mold often will appear like streaks of dirt. The color can range from black, brown, and green.
- White, Thread-Like Streaks: White mold may also emerge on your roof. Although it can be hard to see, keep an eye out for unusual white streaks.
- Small Dark Dots: White mold can also appear as small dark dots. Again, you should occasionally check your roof closely for these.
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Tools That Make The Job Easier
Family Handyman
One manufacturer has taken roof cleaning to a new level and developed a special rinsing tool to dislodge dug-in algae colonies. The Roof Rinsing Tool is pricey, but far more effective than an ordinary garden spray nozzle. If your household water pressure isnt enough to generate the proper nozzle pressure at the jets, the manufacturer recommends boosting it with a supplemental 1/2-hp pump.
If you really want to speed up the cleaning process and are willing to spend even more, buy the Defy Roof Cleaner Applicator . Pour in the concentrated cleaner. The special sprayer dilutes the cleaner as you spray, eliminating the need to continually pump and refill a traditional garden sprayer.
Spraying Cleaner And Scrubbing Shingles
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How To Remove Moss From A Roof
If your roof has sprouted a moss infection, you can remove it before it becomes serious enough to impact the performance of your roof. Moss is tough and typically you will not be able to remove it by hand. However, you can use a chemical solution to loosen the moss without damaging the shingles. We dont recommend that you step on the roof for moss removal.
Materials Youll Need
- A moss-specific cleaner that does not use bleach and is rated by the EPA.
- Or your own cleaner mix of mild bleach or mild detergent mixed with water in a spray bottle. You may mix 2 cups of chlorine bleach with 2 gallons of water. Or you can use 8 ounces of dish soap with 2 gallons of water.
How To Remove Moss From a Roof
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Maintenance For Your Asphalt Shingle Roof
Regular maintenance is the best way to help extend the life of the various components within a home and to keep them operating properly. One of the most important areas of a home is the roof, which serves to protect the interior from rain, hail, debris, and wind. Regularly cleaning and performing preventative maintenance is critical in order to prevent leakage or damage. However, improperly cleaning your roof can not only leave it functioning less than ideally, some practices can actually lead to damage or shortening its lifespan. Below, we will go through several ways to properly clean an asphalt shingle roof and some ways to avoid.
Similar to a gutter and downspout system, roofs should be regularly cleaned and maintained . This not only helps to prolong the life of the roof materials, but also helps to identify potential problem areas to repair before they lead to damage. Sealing fasteners, removing debris , and ensuring that flashing remains in place around penetrations are some common areas to check and maintain on a regular basis.
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