How To Kill Algae On Roof Shingles

How to safely remove algae moss from roof shingles.

How to kill algae on roof shingles.

Although some similarities exist algae and moss are very different and require slightly different procedures to prevent or to remove. Living in a humid area of the country like florida you ve probably seen your asphalt shingle roofs with unsightly dark streaks on them. Fortunately there are ways to safely remove these organisms without further damaging your shingles. Shingle roofs are prone to moss and algae growth which causes discoloration and damage.

The roof algae is doesn t harm the shingles but looks bad. The only way to take care of it is to use a high base chemical solution like zinc sulfate. To remove roof algae and moss you ll probably end up using a solution of household bleach. The most effective method of cleaning algae and moss from a roof is w ith a 50 50 mix of laundry strength liquid chlorine bleach and w ater.

To remove roof algae a solution of oxygen bleach can be applied to the roof shingles and then rinsed off. Often mistaken as mold or mildew the black discoloration and streaks visible on many roofs across the united states and canada are actually algae. Also see warranties for roof shingles. Roof shingle algae stains and roof warranties.

Roof lichen is a combination of both algae and fungus. Thousands of roof on homes and other buildings suffer from black streaks. The ugly black red green or brown stains on your roof are likely algae or moss. 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.

The organisms use your roof shingles as food which slowly deteriorates the materials. 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. Simple cover your plants just as painters do. If left untreated lichen can eventually take off the top layer of your shingle leaving a permanent scar on your roof.

When these two depend on each other they can grow living organisms. To remove and prevent black algae stains on roofs see black stain removal prevention. Using bleach is recommended by most shingle roof manufactures and the arma asphalt roofing manufactures association. The algae can form w here moisture tends to dwell on roof surfaces.

How to remove roof algae and moss. Lichens will use roots to attach securely to your shingles making them difficult to remove. Algae resistance provisions of asphalt roof shingle warranties are limited in coverage and scope. Here are some major roofing manufacturer s warranty statements.