They are exposed to wind rain and other weather elements that not only cause dirt to form on the shingles but also mold and mildew.
How to clean roof shingles mildew.
Roof shingles become dirty over time.
If it s dirt the dark stain will remain but if it s mildew the stain will go away.
But once the algicide wears off your roof hosts an all you can eat buffet for the neighborhood algae spores.
Then use a long handled brush to scour the surface of the shingles and loosen stuck on mold while it s dry and brittle.
While an occasional cleaning might not harm your roof repeated use of harsh chemicals or the erosive effects of pressure washing can damage or shorten the life of asphalt shingles.
One way to determine if it s mildew is to put a few drops of chlorine bleach on to the black mark.
How to clean roof shingles.
Sometimes it can also be caused by an accumulation of mildew mold dirt or defective shingles.
One day you may notice that your roof is turning black or fungus is spreading across of it.
A few years ago commercial roof cleaning products containing hydrogen peroxide lye were commonly recommended to remove mildew.
This discoloring can hurt the beauty of your home s curb appeal and the resale value of your home if you have it up for sale.
Using shingles that have been treated with algicide keeps the growth at bay for about 10 years thus the 10 year algae warranty.
Proper cleaning is an important step in roof maintenance.
Jan 12 2019 how to clean algae or mold off your roof shingles.
Extensive mold growth can also expose the interior of your attic or crawlspace to mold spores carrying the problem over to the inside not to worry though because you can clean the mold off with basic household bleach and save.
You can successfully clean shingles by using oxygen bleach.
Mold stains can form on roof shingles that are in permanent shade.
While an occasional cleaning might not harm your roof repeated use of harsh chemicals or the erosive effects of pressure washing can damage or shorten the life of asphalt shingles.
There are several products on the market specifically designed to remove algae stains from roofs such as wet forget outdoor.
These stains will discolor your roof and damage the shingles over a period of time if left alone.
Do it yourself and save big bucks.
To clean mold off a roof start by putting on rubber gloves a breathing mask and goggles to protect yourself from the harsh cleaning chemicals.
Stained shingles take away from the overall neat appearance of the exterior of the home.