Your roof protects your home all year long from outside factors, so why not do all you can to protect your roof from similar threats? Your roof is exposed to moss and algae spores, which can land upon its surface and grow, causing extensive damage. The following are some recommendations to help you keep your roof protected from adverse effects of roof damage from moss and algae growth.
Clean Off Harmful Growth and Stains
Stains that appear on the surface of your roof are not only ugly but they can also meal trouble and damage to your roofing materials. When your roof is made of asphalt shingles, it can be susceptible to moss and algae growth, especially when the weather is excessively wet and moist and your roof is shaded by trees from the sun's direct rays. So when you notice dark-colored streaks and stains on your shingles you should look into having your roof cleaned to remove them.
You can clean off your roof's stains with a cleaning solution safe for shingles, such as bleach and water. Spray this onto your roof and let it sit for a while, then rinse it off with clean water. Use a garden hose and spray so you don't damage your roof from too much water pressure. And be sure you do the task on a cloudy day so the sunshine isn't going to heat up your roof's shingles, which will cause the cleaner to evaporate before it has a chance to work on the moss and algae.
It is best to act on stains and remove them as soon as possible. The longer you leave moss and algae on your roof, the more damage they will cause. Moss and algae grow into your shingles and eat away at the materials, causing permanent damage. The dark coloring of the growth's stains will heat up your roofing shingles even more, leading to further heat damage.
Protect Your Roof and the Environment
You can take your roof cleaning a step further to help protect your landscaping vegetation below your home. When you use bleach and water solution on your roof, it will kill the moss and algae but also your vegetation below. You can try covering it with a plastic covering, but this also puts your vegetation at risk of heat damage under the plastic.
Instead, you can also hire a professional for roof cleaning services to remove the moss and algae growth. They will use a high-pressure sprayer that is safe for your shingles. Then, they can apply a cleaning solution that is biodegradable and will not harm your vegetation. Applying this cleaning solution will remove your damaging roof growths and will also protect your roof for the next several years from new growth.