Fuzzy Green Houses
Have you ever seen the houses with the greenish black roof or siding? Yuck!
The algae that is growing on your roof is slowly deteriorating your roof and can easily be removed. It’s important to maintain your roof to maximize its longevity. The same goes for your siding.
Algae is common in areas of the country that receive high amounts of rainfall and humidity (Indiana for one). It is also common in areas with mature trees. As this moss and algae continue to be fed from the moisture, it will multiply and slowly spread across the area usually starting on the northern side.
The most common answer in the past to ridding the algae was bleach and a power washer. However, recent studies are now showing that the bleach when left on the roof accelerates corrosion of metal gutters and downspouts, kills vegetation, and removes the natural color from wood roofing shakes. Also, the power washer can loosen your shingles or pull them upwards eventually causing them to fall off.
The safest way to clean the moss and algae off your roof is to use non-toxic oxygen bleach. The best use of this product is to mix the powder with water and apply it to a cool roof surface, such as on an overcast day. Keep the roof surface wet with the solution for approximately 20 minutes and then lightly scrub the roofs surface. The algae should come off; however, heavy build up may take multiple applications. You can use this same procedure for your siding.
Most of all…be careful! Moss and algae are very slippery. Make sure your roof is dry when working and wear shoes with durable tracking.
The algae that is growing on your roof is slowly deteriorating your roof and can easily be removed. It’s important to maintain your roof to maximize its longevity. The same goes for your siding.
Algae is common in areas of the country that receive high amounts of rainfall and humidity (Indiana for one). It is also common in areas with mature trees. As this moss and algae continue to be fed from the moisture, it will multiply and slowly spread across the area usually starting on the northern side.
The most common answer in the past to ridding the algae was bleach and a power washer. However, recent studies are now showing that the bleach when left on the roof accelerates corrosion of metal gutters and downspouts, kills vegetation, and removes the natural color from wood roofing shakes. Also, the power washer can loosen your shingles or pull them upwards eventually causing them to fall off.
The safest way to clean the moss and algae off your roof is to use non-toxic oxygen bleach. The best use of this product is to mix the powder with water and apply it to a cool roof surface, such as on an overcast day. Keep the roof surface wet with the solution for approximately 20 minutes and then lightly scrub the roofs surface. The algae should come off; however, heavy build up may take multiple applications. You can use this same procedure for your siding.
Most of all…be careful! Moss and algae are very slippery. Make sure your roof is dry when working and wear shoes with durable tracking.
posted by Christina at 9:23 PM
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