How to Permanently Remove Roof Mold

The roof of the home is exposed to all sorts of elements that want to destroy it. In addition to the dangers of sun, hail and rain, a common enemy is mold. Mold often grows on the roofs of homes located in highly humid areas or those where there is a lot of sleet or rain. Roof mold loves to grow in damp and dark areas, so it grows more rapidly in the areas of your home or patio roof that are shaded. If not taken care of, mold can give the roof a dull and old look that lowers the resale value of the home. While the damage from mold does not instantly ruin the roof, it can quickly spread and give the structure an unsightly look in a relatively short period pf time.

When learning how to clean roof shingles, you’ll soon find it can be done in a variety of ways, some more effective than others. If the stains are localized to just one area of the roof they can be repaired easily. However, when the structure is covered in black streaks caused by mold or algae, it is going to need a much more thorough cleaning. Roof mold removal can be a dangerous task and quite strenuous. In many cases the homeowner should contact experts in cleaning the roof who are able to renew the look of the roof.

How to Permanently Remove Roof Mold

For those who feel they must complete the task themselves, there are some options from which to choose. While it may be cheaper to do the job yourself, the homeowner should be cautious as improper cleaning can damage the roof permanently or lead to an accident. The power washer is one option for cleaning the roof. This is the tool used by most cleaning experts, however, most have many years of practice. Inexperienced use of the power washer may damage the existing roof. Successful cleaning should keep the mold away for at least another year. Always wash the roof from the peak toward the ground as reversing the direction can allow water to leak under the shingles. The minimum space between the end of the power nozzle and the roof is six inches.

Those individuals nervous about using a power washer might settle for using a normal garden hose. This is often a safe method for persons that are inexperienced at removing roof mold. The garden hose is lower in pressure and easier to control. Because of the lower pressure, effective cleaning will depend on use of chemicals that can be purchased or mixed to remove stains from the roof. Since we are often dealing with harsh chemicals, make sure that you follow all package directions for any of the products used.

How to Permanently Remove Roof Mold

In general commercially prepared roof cleaners are based on sodium hydroxide or chlorine bleach. Either type can offer an effective solution to remove roof mold from the roots. Chlorine bleach based solutions can be harmful to the human body however, so exercise care when using these products. After use, the mold should rinse off with a gentle stream of water from the garden hose.

For those that prefer to mix their own cleaner, an effective one can be made using TSP, chlorine bleach and water. The mixture consists of one quart bleach, one quarter cup of TSP and one gallon of water. Never mix chemicals containing ammonia with those containing bleach as deadly chlorine gas is released. The solution can be applied with a spray bottle for small areas or a pump sprayer if the entire roof needs cleaning. Allow the solution to stand for fifteen minutes before rinsing off the roof for best results. Regardless of which method is selected, it is definitely possible to remove roof mold with the appropriate chemicals. Just don’t get into anything you can’t handle yourself; if in doubt, call an roof cleaning expert.

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