New England is known for being rainy and humid for a good portion of the year, and those conditions tend to cause damage over time. While your roof is designed to withstand rain and moisture, over time, a constant exposure to moisture, without ample time to dry, can cause your shingle system to begin to grow mold, mildew, or algae. If you’ve noticed that your shingles are grown a layer of mold, and you’re curious about how to safely remove the mold and protect your shingle system, keep reading below for more information!
What Is Roof Algae & How Does It Form
The most common roof algae, which resembles dirt to many homeowners, is Gloeocapsa Magma. This algae forms on your roof due to a combination of moisture in the form of humidity, mixed with sample sunlight. The algae will eat away at the limestone filler in your shingles and spread across the entirety of your roof over time. While generally, this is relatively harmless, over time, it has the potential to wear away at the integrity of your shingles, giving water an opportunity to seep into your roof deck and cause damage to your home.
Often even more concerning is the mold and mildew that follows. Algae begins to hold moisture to your roof, and this provides the perfect opportunity for mold & mildew to follow, eventually causing far more significant damage than the algae would have. This means it is important to deal with roof algae before it has the chance to develop into a more significant issue.
How To Remove Roof Algae
There are really two different routes to take in this case; preventive maintenance, or removal. If you’re interested in preventing the algae from growing in the first place, try installing zinc strips on your roof, which should prevent the growth before it can begin.
However, if you need to remove algae that has already formed, the process is relatively straightforward. You will need to make a mixture of bleach, water, and a heavy duty cleaner like Tri-sodium phosphate, which will help break the algae down. Mix this together and spray it over your shingles. It will make the shingles slippery, so be very careful when performing this maintenance. If possible, its better to call a professional!
Contact Us Today
If you’re interested in replacing your home’s roof this fall, our team at Rhode Island Slate Roofing is ready to assist! Reach out to our team today to learn more about our services by calling us at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our team’s online contact form! We look forward to assisting with your roofing needs!