Removing Algae From Slate Roof

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Removing algae from slate roof.

Step 1 fill a bucket with with warm soapy water. Replacing the shingles on your roof just because you have black stains is not necessary however and you should be suspicious of any roofer that suggests roof shingle replacement as the only solution to your algae problem. Lichen can be a tough growth to remove due to the symbiotic relationship between the fungus and algae. It is a powder.

The way to clean off roof algae is to go ahead and mix up some oxygen bleach with water. Use a mild dishwashing soap that does not contain acids such as lemon or lime. Clean up any organic matter on the roof such as twigs leaves or other debris. Algae is just a thin film of organic growth that can be removed by washing the roof with certified organic oxygen bleach.

The upper part of the ladder will lie flat against the. Fortunately removing algae from slate is fairly straightforward. Moss is a thick organic growth. Roof moss removal and algae tips.

If necessary dip a toothbrush in the soapy water. 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. Lichen and green moss growth on a slate roof. 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.

Step 2 dip a nylon scrub brush in the soapy water. Moss is thick algae is paper thin. Step 2 use a stiff brush such as a pushbroom to scrape away any stubborn mold or lichen patches still remaining. 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.

Roof moss removal usually requires a broom or heavy stream of water. Scrub the slate vigorously to remove the algae. 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. 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.

Wet forget is a safe roof cleaner that will remove lichen without any scrubbing or scraping. Also slate is slippery when wet. Roofing manufacturers have tackled the problem of roof algae by creating shingles containing copper which is deadly to algae. If your household water pressure isn t enough to generate the proper nozzle pressure at the jets the manufacturer recommends boosting it.

Bayer 2 in 1 moss algae s spray nozzle creates a flat stream that is easy to apply. What you do is put it into a pump sprayer spray it on the roof and you need to keep the roof wet. Many people try to remove lichen by brushing and scraping it off with abrasive tools.