Getting Algae Off My Roof
Getting Algae Off My Roof
The roof of your home or business is a critical piece of infrastructure when it comes to protecting everything underneath. Once the integrity of your roof is compromised, you risk causing considerable damage elsewhere in your building. Small problems can spiral out of control quickly, and it is crucial to keep a pulse on the condition of your roof to prevent major issues from arising. Thankfully, roof experts like those at West Coast Moss Removal are here to help with roof consultation, maintenance, and repair.
Here in the Pacific Northwest, home and business owners need to be especially attuned to moss and algae growth on rooftops. When you notice black streaks and stains growing on your roof, you are likely witnessing the start of a blue-green algae problem and it is time to consider roof algae removal. Not only does algae look bad, but it can also compromise the structural integrity of your roof, cause shingles to detach, and reduce its ability to reflect sunlight. When you notice those pesky black streaks on top of your house or business, it’s too late for roof algae prevention. It is time to act.
Depending on the severity of the algae growth and the age of your shingles, this could be the excuse you need to replace your roof altogether. That said, this can be an expensive and lengthy project and should only be done if absolutely necessary.
The cheaper and easier solution is to start the roof algae removal process. The experts at our roof cleaning company have done enough algae removal to have identified the safest and most efficient ways to go about it. A simple 50-50 mix of bleach water is typically strong enough to remove most algae growth. Use this solution with a spray washer to coat your roof. Avoid using a pressure washer, as the extremely high pressure can and will damage your roof and shingles. After spraying your shingles with this solution and letting it sit for 20 – 30 minutes, rinse your roof with clean water.
Depending on the size and pitch of your roof this can be a considerably dangerous and lengthy task. If you are at all uncomfortable, it is best to leave this to the professionals.
Rather than having to replace your roof or conduct a deep clean with a bleach solution, there are some steps you can take to promote roof algae prevention. Regular, less intense bleach washes can keep algae and moss growth at bay. If that is still something you would like to avoid, consider installing strips of copper or zinc stripping under the shingles near the top of your roof. If you leave a few centimetres exposed on the bottom of this stripping, the exposed edge will shed metal molecules down the rest of your roof when it rains – helping to prevent further algae growth.
Not only is roof algae unsightly, but if left to its own devices it can truly cause some significant damage to your home. Instead of letting it get out of hand, give the experts at West Coast Moss Removal a call. Our team is always happy to help – whether that is through consultation, scheduled roof maintenance, or algae and moss removal. No project is too small or too large, and our team is always here for you.
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