Roofing Questions and Answers

Roof Stains, Roof Mold, and Roof Cleaning

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The following article will attempt to explain a few issues you may have with your Roof. The Roof of your Home is one of the most important parts of your home- it keeps everything Dry and Comfortable.

• If you are having a Roofing Issue and you are unable to Repair it yourself.

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These article that I found at : www.merchantcircle.com- they are provided in whole and Point out some very interesting points of view and solutions

Though those ugly black streaks and stains on your shingles might appear to be some sort of roof mold, a more accurate description would be to call it roof algae. This is a hardy species of algae called Gloeocapsa Magma, and if you aren't using the right chemicals or methods it can be extremely difficult to remove. Call it roof mold, roof algae, roof mildew, or whatever else you want, but just be sure to clean it off in a timely and safe manner.

Just to be thorough, there are other types of organic growth that can form on a roof other than roof algae (or mold). There's also the possibility of lichen or moss growth. Lichen is usually a whitish color, but it can also have tones of green, yellow, and brown. It often forms in patches of individual circles, each averaging about the size of a dime. It's also noticeably raised from the surface, unlike the black algae stains.

Moss, on the other hand, almost always has a green color and if left untreated for several years will become so thick as to be noticeable from the ground. I've seen some situations where it's been ignored for so long that it literally looks like a roof is covered with green carpet. Honestly I don't know what people are thinking when they allow this to happen to their home.

So how does one go about treating a roof with lichen and/or moss? Well, in most cases it should be handled in the same manner as the black algae roof stains (or "roof mold"), which has already been described in length on this site. In a nutshell, a bleach or chlorine-based solution applied with non-pressure methods will kill lichen and moderate moss growth almost instantly. It should turn a whitish color within minutes, which tells you that it's dead. Unlike black algae stains which come off immediately with the rinse phase of the cleaning, dead lichen and moss will require a few heavy rains to finish rinsing off the roof. It could take awhile but rest assured that lichen and most moss situations, once dead, will eventually dislodge and rinse off the roof thanks to mother nature.

If you are the impatient type and want the lichen and moss removed immediately, you'll have to use a pressure washer, but as you should know by now I highly discourage the use of high pressure on a roof. In those rare cases where the moss is extremely thick and out of control (this is more common in the northwest) your only choice might be to use a pressure washer, but even in these extreme scenarios you should dial down the pressure and use extreme caution.

In summation, black roof "mold" stains (algae) should come off immediately if using the proper methods. Roof mold removal doesn't have to be rocket science, people. White or green lichen and moss, on the other hand, will be killed with the same chemicals but will need a few heavy rains to finish rinsing away. If this all just sounds like too much of a hassle and you'd rather keep your feet safely on the ground (good idea) then do take a look at our directory of non-pressure roof cleaning services. There's more than likely a company in your area that knows how to remove your roof algae in a professional and safe manner.

There's a lot of false information about roof algae cleaning floating around right now, and I guess this is to be expected because it's still a relatively new industry and most homeowners still aren't that familiar with it. But I'm tired of seeing all the confusion and decided that it's time to set the record straight. It's time to blast some common roof cleaning myths out of the water once and for all. So, without further ado, I give you the top ten myths about roof stain removal. Myth #1: Black roof stains are caused by tar, acid, dirt, or jet fuel. Roof stains are caused by a hardy type of blue-green algae called Gloeocapsa Magma. All it takes is for one algae spore to land on your shingles and take hold and then it's off to the races. The algae will continue to multiply and spread, its growth fed by the limestone filler in the shingles and moisture.

Myth #2: Algae on roof shingles is really a signal that it's time for a new roof. Simply the presence of algae stains does not necessarily equate with needing a new roof. In many cases all a roof needs is a good professional cleaning to restore its original look and health. You might notice that roofers don't like roof cleaners very much, and this is because we keep them honest. If a roofer tells you that you need a whole new roof just because of some algae staining tell him to take a walk and look up your local non-pressure roof cleaning company instead. You'll save a huge amount of money.

Myth #3: Roof algae removal will have no real impact on a home's curb appeal. Most people are shocked when they see how much better their home looks after a roof cleaning. I think this is because most homeowners have gotten so used to seeing the stains on their roof that they've completely forgotten how good it once looked. I've lost count of how many times I've cleaned the roof of a house that had been on the market for months with virtually no activity and within days of the cleaning it finally started getting serious offers. I've said it before and I'll say it again that no matter how beautiful your landscaping, no matter how clean your windows, no matter how precise the painted trim, if your roof is covered in filthy algae stains then it will still ruin your curb appeal, if not in your eyes then in the eyes of your family, friends, neighbors, and potential buyers.

Myth #4: Roof algae is only a cosmetic issue so it can be ignored for now. If not cleaned off and kept at bay roof algae has the ability to shave years off the life of your shingles. It's important to remember that roof algae is a living organism that needs food to continue to grow. Guess what the favorite food of roof algae is? That's right – your shingles! Shingle makers now use limestone filler in the manufacturing process which the algae just loves to chew on. This will result in premature loss of shingle granules and general deterioration. Shingle granules are vital to the health of your roof and home because they work to deflect UV rays and heat away from your roof surface. If they are gone or covered with algae then you will have a hotter attic and higher AC bills. You'll also have to replace the roof a lot sooner, and with the average new roof these days topping $10,000 it's just a no-brainer to keep your shingles clean and functional for a fraction of the cost. Myth #5: The best way to go about removing roof algae is with high pressure. I've beaten this one to death on this site but it bears repeating that, next to positioning your home in the path of a tornado, power washing your roof to remove algae stains is the worst thing you could possibly do to it. Just because your concrete, deck, and brick siding were pressure cleaned doesn't mean you should do it to your shingles. Don't you have any idea how flimsy and fragile your shingles are? Don't you realize how many thousand or tens of thousands of shingle granules will pop right off with the use of a power washing wand? It just always blows my mind that people think this is a good idea. Yes, blasting your roof with 2000 PSI will remove some of the stains, but if it removes some of your actual roof in the process then what the heck is the point? If you bought a roof algae remover and somewhere in the instructions it says that you should walk up on your roof with a power washing wand in hand and unleash hell on your shingles then it's safe to say that you purchased the wrong product. Myth #6: Chemical roof cleaning will damage shingles, gutters, and landscaping. If you're using the right chemicals with the proper procedures and rinsing techniques then you have nothing to fear. I've cleaned hundreds of roofs with non-pressure chemical methods and have never once seen a situation where we caused damage to someone's home. I also only clean roofs with a helper present who's sole responsibility is to rinse the heck out of the grass, bushes, and perimeter landscaping so that there's absolutely no chance of plant damage. We usually do such a good job of rinsing that homeowners notice that their landscaping actually looks especially healthy and vibrant in the days following the cleaning. ARMA (the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association) and GAF (North America's largest shingle maker) both recommend that shingles be cleaned with non-pressure, chemical methods, and any home inspector worth his salt would also concur. Myth #7: It's only necessary to clean the sections of the roof that have visible stains. Just because you can't see algae stains on certain parts of the roof doesn't mean that it's not already there and beginning to develop. Keep in mind that in its early stages roof algae is completely invisible to the naked eye. It's not until the more advanced stages that it actually turns black and becomes visible. So if you can see algae on even one section of your roof that means that it's probably already taking hold on your entire roof. I always try to explain this to my customers but occasionally I still get people who don't believe it and demand that I only do a spot-clean to remove visible stains. I reluctantly oblige their demands but am never surprised when I drive by a year later to see the untreated areas now completely covered in black algae! Then they usually call me back with the standard, "You were right. Can you please come back and clean the whole roof as you originally recommended?" Myth #8: Ambient temperature has no effect on the effectiveness of a roof algae cleaner. If you're using the correct chemical mixture then it will be most effective when the temperature is above 50 degrees. Below 50 and the power of the solution drops off rapidly. If you absolutely must have the roof cleaned on a day when it's right around 50 or a little bit lower just keep in mind that the chemicals will need to sit for a little bit longer on the roof to be effective. So instead of giving it five minutes to kill the algae give it 15. Then reapply if necessary. On the flip side, if it's an extremely hot day you may find that your chemical is evaporating before it even has a chance to kill the algae. In this situation you can simply soak the roof with water to cool it down before applying the chemicals. Myth #9: Roof cleaning is an easy DIY project that any homeowner can do in an afternoon. There's nothing easy or quick about roof cleaning. In fact, if you approach it with a cavalier attitude you run a good chance of injuring yourself. If you want to have any chance of cleaning your roof safely and effectively then you need to set out a clear plan of attack, have safety procedures in place, and, above all, take your time. Rushing through a roof cleaning only leads to trouble. Unless you're one of these guys that absolutely has to do every home improvement job on his own I would highly recommend that you just find a qualified, non-pressure roof cleaning company in your area. Either you can hire somebody who has the equipment and experience to clean your roof in a few hours or you can spend an entire weekend doing it yourself and risking your life. Your choice. Myth #10: Roof cleaning companies tend to overprice their work and take advantage of consumers. I guess I'm always a little disappointed when I tell someone that it will cost $300-$500 to clean their roof and they give me attitude and insinuate that I'm somehow ripping them off. I think people hear that word "cleaning" and they think it should be cheap like carpet cleaning or house cleaning. Think about it. Does a carpet cleaner spend three hours at your house sweating his butt off and getting sunburned? No. Does a carpet cleaner run the possibility of paralysis or death by simply doing his job? No. Does a carpet cleaner spend $100 on chemicals for every single job? No. Can a carpet cleaner offer you a guarantee that the treated surface will stay clean for years to come? No. There's so much more that goes into a professional roof cleaning than for any other kind of residential cleaning service that it's really not even fair to lump them into the same category. As a matter of fact, I actually think that most roof cleaning companies come in too low with their prices when you consider all the variables involved. I also challenge you to name me one other home improvement service that can instantly transform a home's curb appeal in a single afternoon for under $500. Can't be done. And when you consider that it not only makes your home more beautiful but also extends the life of your expensive roof by a matter of years I think that having a roof cleaned is one of the smartest and most cost-effective things that a homeowner could possibly do to protect their biggest investment. So now that I've cleared the air and educated you about the myths that surround the roof cleaning industry I hope you'll take these words of advice to heart because they represent the straightest talk about this topic that you're going to find. I'm not here to serve up a load of BS just because I'm trying to sell a product. I'm telling you like it is because there are too many lies flying around. Either you can buy into one of the myths and be disappointed with the results or you can clean your shingles the right way and be satisfied with your new-looking, beautiful home that is free of roof algae.

Contrary to popular belief, roof cleaning is about more than just having a nice-looking house. It's also about attending to the overall health of your roof and home. The black streaks that you're seeing on your roof consist of Gloeocapsa Magma, which is a hardy type of blue-green algae that if left to its own devices will eventually start to compromise the integrity of your shingles.

Usually the process begins when an algae spore lands on and attaches to your roof. It then begins to consume the limestone filler in your shingles' granules. The limestone acts as a food source for the algae and allows it to grow and eventually cover larger and larger portions of your roof's surface. So as the algae grows across your roof it is literally eating the shingles! If the growth goes unchecked it will eventually cause loss of roof granules, which are vital to the reflective properties of your roof. When these granules are lost it leads to greater heat build-up which leads to higher energy costs for you, especially on those hot summer days when the AC is blasting!

Loss of granules and the further deterioration of your shingles could very well shave years off the life of your roof, and with new roofs running between $5,000 and $15,000 these days for average homes, why wouldn't you do everything in your power to max out its lifespan? Take my advice to have your roof cleaned as needed and you'll not only enjoy a nicer-looking home but you'll be protecting probably your biggest investment: your home! To learn more about what qualities to look for in a service provider please read this post about roof cleaners.

For Assistance with your Next Roofing Project Let the Guys at Scotts Contracting Protect the Roof over your Head.

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