Living in a climate that gets a lot of rain and plenty of high temperatures can predispose a house or building to algae and moss growth on the roof.
Not only is algae unsightly by creating dark streaks and other marks, it can be very damaging to the roofing material.
Equally as damaging, moss appears as a fuzzy green layer on the roof.
If your roof is growing algae, moss, mold, or any other damaging organism, here are six great tips that roofers recommend for getting it off, and keeping it off!
1. Clean Out The Gutters
As with any other kind of roof maintenance, always start by cleaning out the gutters if they haven’t been cleaned in a while.
Clogged gutters are a source of moisture, microorganisms, and debris, all of which can contribute to many different types of damage to your roofing.
Clean, functioning gutters are the first part of having a roof system that functions properly and remains in great condition up to and beyond its projected life expectancy.
2. Treat The Roof With A Solution
Algae and other living microorganisms growing on your roof can be easily killed and removed in two simple ways.
- The easiest way is to use an algae removal solution purchased from a home or hardware center.
- The second way that roofers recommend is with a simple solution made from water and standard household bleach mixed 1:1.
You can also add ½ cup of trisodium phosphate available at home and hardware centers to every gallon of this mixture for added effectiveness.
3. Apply The Solution
Using either the home bleach mixture or a commercial solution mixed according to the directions, apply the solution onto the affected parts of the roof which can be done by pouring it straight from the bucket or applying it with a sprayer or spray bottle.
In either case, use a ladder that is properly set up so you can reach these spots safely.
If you are unable to safely reach these areas, hire a roofer who can go up on the roof for you and apply the algae removal solution.
Cover flower beds and grass close to the edge of the roof to prevent solution runoff from killing the vegetation.
4. Let It Sit A While
After the stained parts of the roof are saturated with the solution, let it sit for at least thirty minutes or more to kill whatever algae and other organisms are growing on the shingles.
The longer the solution sits without being allowed to dry out, the better the treatment will work and the more grime and staining will be removed.
5. Rinse It Off
After half an hour, use a standard garden hose to rinse off the solution under low pressure to avoid damaging the roofing materials and all the staining and grime should start to rinse right off.
When using a commercial preparation, check the instructions before rinsing it off as some are designed to be left on to dry.
In either case, once the roof has dried off, it should look much better with no signs of algae, mildew, or other organisms.
6. Prevent New Growth
Once the roofing is clean again after algae and other grime has been washed off, take steps to prevent it from coming back.
All of these living organisms take hold after spores blow onto the roof from trees and other vegetation.
You can reduce the incidence of this happening by trimming back trees away from the roof, keeping gutters clean, removing leaves, limbs, standing water, and other debris that falls on the roof, and doing regular cleanings.
Adding It All Up
Algae and other growing organisms can slowly damage your roof, especially if it is made of either asphalt shingles, wood shingles, or shakes.
Protect the roofing on your home or building using these simple steps for cleaning algae away, then keep up with the maintenance to prevent it from coming back.
For a thorough job and to keep up with inspections, cleaning, and regular maintenance, call a reputable local roofer who can safely take care of all of this without you having to climb up that ladder yourself!
