Cleaning Algae Off Roof Shingles

While an occasional cleaning might not harm your roof repeated use of harsh chemicals or the erosive effects of pressure washing can damage or shorten the life of asphalt shingles.

Cleaning algae off roof shingles.

Algae and moss tend to grow roof surfaces that are shaded and retain moisture. To learn how to prevent moss and algae from getting on your shingles keep reading. The organisms use your roof shingles as food which slowly deteriorates the materials. But once the algicide wears off your roof hosts an all you can eat buffet for the neighborhood algae spores.

After 15 to 20 minutes rinse the solution off with a sprayer that has enough force to dislodge algae and moss without damaging the shingles. A blue green algae known as gloeocapsa magma could be the reason you have the algae which is spread by airborne spores. Apply with a sprayer and allow the solution to dwell on the roof surface for 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with low pressure water. Further climbing on your roof frequently to clean off growth can damage your roof and shorten its lifespan by loosening the granules on your shingles.

Algae stains can be removed by cleaning though they usually return. How to clean algae or mold off your roof shingles living in a humid area of the country like florida you ve probably seen your asphalt shingle roofs with unsightly dark streaks on them. For deep stains let the roof dry then reapply the cleaning solution and rinse it off again after no more than 30 minutes. How to prevent algae and moss stains from recurring.

The most effective method of cleaning algae and moss from a roof is with a 50 50 mix of laundry strength liquid chlorine bleach and water. So it s a good idea to cut away tree branches that overhang the roof and block sunlight. To keep the algae from coming back insert 6 inch wide strips of zinc or copper under the row of shingling closest to the roof peak leaving an inch or two of the lower edge exposed to the weather. That way whenever it rains some of the metal molecules will wash down the roof and kill any algae trying to regain a foothold on your shingles.

Getting rid of the problem is important but how do you safely remove algae and moss from roof shingles. A contractor on the other hand can detect these issues and recommend a solution. You should never use home remedies or store bought chemical products to clean algae. So it pays to clean your shingles as soon as you spot algae growth.

Using shingles that have been treated with algicide keeps the growth at bay for about 10 years thus the 10 year algae warranty. While algae doesn t actually harm your roof it can impact its aesthetic appeal. So it s best to know how to clean your roof properly so that you ensure you don t have to do it too often. Do it yourself and save big bucks.

You may need either algae cleaning shingle repair individual shingle replacement or a completely new roof depending on the extent of the damage.