Preventing Algae And Moss Growth
Metal Roof Cleaning Step
For The Best Results To Clean Your Asphalt Roof Shingles: For Moss Removal / Black Fungi Removal
- The moss is easy to remove. The moss typically starts to grow at the top of the vertical slots between the shingles. These areas of asphalt shingles are the last place water evaporates from a roof so this is where the damage can start if the moss is not removed.
- Apply to a cool roof surface, preferably on an overcast day. This will keep the roof surface wet with the solution for longer. The solution also helps to loosen the grip of the shallow moss roots.
- Make sure the surface is dry in order to get the best penetration of the growth with the least amount of evaporation.
- Total saturation of the surface with this product is essential in order to obtain a good kill of the fungi, algae, lichen, moss & algae which infests these surfaces.
- If the surface is particularly bad, do another application approximately one month from the first application.
- Then allow the surface to weather naturally and nature will take its course. The growth decomposes while the rain gently removes it from the surface over time. Let Mother Nature do her thing!
- After 1st application use as a maintenance tool. Only re-apply at the first sign of regrowth. Lichen Removal
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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.
Is Roof Cleaning Necessary Everything You Didn’t Know About Scrubbing Your Shingles
Author: Amy Freeman
You’re looking up at your roof and notice that there’s some black stuff growing on some of the shingles. What is it? Mold, mildew or soil that somehow made its way up there? Is roof cleaning necessary?
Most likely, that unidentifiable sludge is algae. According to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association , algae grows on roofs in areas where water or moisture collect. The spores reach the roof by a combination of birds and wind.
If you notice green fuzzy areas on your roof, on the other hand, you most likely have moss growing. Shade and moisture create an ideal habitat for moss growth.
If you see moss or algae on your roof, what should you do? Is roof cleaning necessary, or should you leave it alone?
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Moss And Algae Are Damaging To A Home’s Roof
Moss and algae are especially damaging to a home’s roof. These contaminants hold extra moisture against roof shingles and roof paper this added moisture causes shingles to get soft and crumbly and can cause roofing paper to tear, leading to water leaks.
Unlike other debris on a home’s roof, moss, algae, mold, and mildew continue to grow over time! These contaminants can work their way under a home’s roofing shingles and eventually dislodge those tiles as they continue to spread. Never assume that you can ignore moss, algae, and other such growth on your roof, as overlooking needed washing can lead to a damaged roof and dangerous interior water leaks.
Build The Open Metal Valleys
- 4.1 – Install metal valley trim on the membrane, starting at the bottom of the roof.
- 4.2 – Center the trim on the valley and secure the edge with roofing nails. The nail head must maintain the flashing in place. Do not perforate the metal.
- 4.3 – Continue along the valley and lap sections of trim by at least 6″. Coat each overlay with plastic cement.
- 4.4 – Establish two lines on either side of the valley where the shingles will end.
- 4.5 – Place a line at the top, 3″ from the centre on both sides of the valley.
- 4.6 – Deviate 1/8″ per foot as you bring the line down to the drip edge, where the maximum deviation should be 8″.
- 4.7 – Snap the chalk line on both sides of the valley
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Sparkling Clean Asphalt Roof
Once we have removed all the roof stains and grime from your asphalt shingles, you will really be surprised at how different your home looks. We can restore the light color of rooftop with a soft wash technique that does no damage the asphalt shingles.
After seeing what we can do, our customers often exclaim that they had forgotten what the roof looked like when it was new. There is no better way to make your home sparkle again than by calling our TruClean Wash pros.
Cleaning An Asphalt Shingle Roof
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Minor Roof Maintenance To Prevent Major Problems
Perform Simple and Safe Roof Inspections
Choose a day once or twice each year to inspect your roof. If youre comfortable climbing a ladder, you can see your roof up close. If not, you can do a relatively thorough inspection from the ground using binoculars. Look for:
Minor repairs like a cracked or missing shingle may be easy for you to handle yourself. However, you may want to leave larger or more complicated issues for a professional roofer. Either way, make sure you review the manufacturers warranty before you have any roof work done , to keep your roof under warranty
Unclog Your Gutters
Gutters guard the structural integrity of your house by channeling water away from its foundation, but they also protect your roof. Gutters keep water away from roof shingles and prevent ice dams, which form when snow melts on higher levels of your roof and freezes as it runs down the colder shingles an issue thats as bad as having standing water on your roof.
Proper gutter maintenance is one of the most important ways to prevent serious water damage to your home. Fortunately, most homeowners can fix gutter clogs the most common gutter problem themselves. If your gutter is clogged, water may sit on your roof and cause leaks. Its a good idea to check gutters twice per year and after big storms.
Roof Cleaning
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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Increase The Lifespan And Property Value Of Your Roof Simply By Cleaning It
Cleaning your roof can give your house a polished look that doesnt cost as much as getting a new one. Not every roof needs cleaned every year, but with Ohios high summer humidity and unpredictable weather, mold and mildew can build up quickly. We highly recommend that homeowners call a roofing professional when cleaning, since any time spent on the roof is a high-risk situation. And, typically a professional roof cleaning isnt as expensive as homeowners think. If you do decide that a DIY method is best for you, here are some things you should know:
Remove Debris
Clean Streaking and Algae
Dark streaks are a type of algae that live off the minerals in your roof shingles. Algae thrives in moisture and is commonly found when roofing is in shaded areas. To remove staining you will need to apply a cleaning solution to your roof. There are two main ways to clean streaking off a roof pressure washing and chemical cleaning. Pressure washing uses highly pressurized water to remove mold, grime and algae. This method is only acceptable for metal or concrete roofs because the water pressure can damage shingles. Chemical cleaning is also an option to remove streaking and algae, but make sure that you take into consideration chemical runoff and potential residue damages.
Get Rid of Moss
Roofing Experts
Pressure Washing A Dirty Surface Can Be Satisfying To Watch But That Doesn’t Mean It’s Good For Your Roof
Pressure washers are a versatile tool in any homeowners arsenal. They can be used to prep home exteriors for painting, clean driveways and sidewalks, and even peel potatoes. But if youre looking up at a dirty roof and wondering if you can just blast the grime away with your handy pressure washer, be warned thats probably not a good idea.
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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.
Things You Need To Know About Residential Roof Cleaning
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Regular roof cleaning preserves the life of a roof’s shingles and tiles, removing damaging algae, grit, grime, moss, and soot, and restoring the color of the roof as well. Roof washing is especially vital for homes in tropical areas or those located near any large beachfront or waterfront property, as sand and grit from a nearby beach can settle into the nooks and crannies of a roof, causing severe damage.
Here are five things every homeowner should know about residential roof washing:
To ensure you are doing everything possible to protect your home’s appearance and condition, note five things you need to know about residential roof cleaning in Sarasota and beyond, as well as some general but vital information about power washing your home’s exterior overall. Be sure to discuss this information with professional roof cleaning contractors, so you know how to best care for your house and all the exterior surfaces of your property.
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How To Clean Creosote From An Asphalt Shingle Roof
Creosote is a flammable compound that normally builds up on the interior of a chimney from wood-burning stove and fireplace use. However, as ash flies out into the air, it can settle on the roof and stain the asphalt shingles, as well. A variety of black roof stains — also caused by mold, mildew and algae — can be removed with an asphalt “wash” available at home improvement stores, or with simple household bleach and water inexpensively removing discoloration and restoring a roof to a lighter color.
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Place drop cloths over any landscaping in the vicinity where the bleach mixture can be poured onto the roof, as it could drip on bushes, trees or perennials and kill them.
2
Wear protective gear — a face mask, gloves and goggles — to prohibit contact with the bleach on both the skin or in the eyes, as it can burn. Additionally, the face mask protects bleach users from inhaling harmful fumes while working with the chemical.
3
Pour 2 1/2 cups of water into the bucket, add 2 1/2 cups of bleach. Stir the liquid with a wooden spoon or paint stirrer.
4
Position the ladder so it is firmly secured under the portion of roofing that needs to be cleaned. If possible, have a second individual on hand to provide additional safety by holding the ladder in place while the roof is being cleaned.
5
Pour the bleach mixture into the hand-pumped garden sprayer replace the lid on the sprayer, securing the liquid.
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References
Roof Cleaning With A Pressure Washer
Some may believe that you can clean your roof simply with a pressure washer, and while that would probably work theoretically, using a pressure washer for roof cleaning is the kiss of death for the integrity of that roof. Especially if you are trying to clean an asphalt shingle roof. The granules will start to come off and will end up in the gutters, which can and does happen normally with age, but speeding up the aging process for the roof, is not the best idea and is something we avoid.
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Black Roof Stains Gone
In case you didn’t know, those black or green roof stains are actually a byproduct of algae. The stains happen after algae digest the limestone in the asphalt for food. So wherever you see those black roof stains, the asphalt shingles are getting damaged.
The stains will expand until it completely covers the roof in the shaded areas if it isn’t cleaned off. Moss does the same damage to asphalt shingles. A seasonal roof cleaning service keeps the destructive algae and moss off the roof of your home. Plus, it really makes your home look great.
