Removing Algae From Slate Roof

Also slate is slippery when wet.

Removing algae from slate roof. Moss is a thick organic growth. Wet forget is a safe roof cleaner that will remove lichen without any scrubbing or scraping. Step 2 use a stiff brush such as a pushbroom to scrape away any stubborn mold or lichen patches still remaining. In addition to rotting and possibly damaging your roof organic material is one of the chief growing places of both moss and lichen.

Lichen can be a tough growth to remove due to the symbiotic relationship between the fungus and algae. Algae stains don t show up below the metal flashing around chimneys or roof vents because the copper and the zinc coating on galvanized sheet metal are toxic to algae. What you do is put it into a pump sprayer spray it on the roof and you need to keep the roof wet. The way to clean off roof algae is to go ahead and mix up some oxygen bleach with water.

Scrub the slate vigorously to remove the algae. Roof moss removal and algae tips. Fortunately removing algae from slate is fairly straightforward. Start at the top of.

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. If your household water pressure isn t enough to generate the proper nozzle pressure at the jets the manufacturer recommends boosting it. Copper strips prevent the growth of moss and algae. Whenever it rains trace amounts of metals are washed down the roof inhibiting algae growth.

Many people try to remove lichen by brushing and scraping it off with abrasive tools. Clean up any organic matter on the roof such as twigs leaves or other debris. Roofs generally have a lot of metal in the form of vents gutters drains nails and cables so this can be a plus for most types of roof. Lichen and green moss growth on a slate roof.

Step 2 dip a nylon scrub brush in the soapy water. Roof moss removal usually requires a broom or heavy stream of water. Use a mild dishwashing soap that does not contain acids such as lemon or lime. The best access for most homeowners comes in positioning a long extension ladder from the ground to the roof at the same pitch as the roof.

Algae is just a thin film of organic growth that can be removed by washing the roof with certified organic oxygen bleach. 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. If necessary dip a toothbrush in the soapy water. The upper part of the ladder will lie flat against the.

Often the damage is hidden under overlapping slate courses and becomes apparent only when the roof starts to leak. Moss is thick algae is paper thin. It does not take the color out of the shingles and it does not hurt the shingles or vegetation or anything else near your home.