If you're reading this, chances are you're looking for roof-cleaning tips because your shingles are no longer looking new and attractive. If your roof appears nighttime and discolored in some areas, you may think that mold has adult on the surfaces of the shingles. However, the black streaks you're seeing are really colonies of blue-green algae. If yous're noticing thick, light-green patches on your roof instead, then you've got a moss problem, The north, westward, and shady areas of your roof are near susceptible to these wet-loving nuisances.

black streaks on roof

Moss and algae spores are carried by the wind or animals from rooftop to rooftop, which is why unabridged neighborhoods are often afflicted. Moss can seriously bear on asphalt shingle performance by causing them to ringlet up and blow off, eventually resulting in leaks. While algae doesn't actually damage your roof, it can impact its aesthetic appeal. Further, climbing on your roof frequently to clean off growth Can damage your roof and shorten its lifespan by loosening the granules on your shingles. And so, it'due south all-time to know how to clean your roof properly and then that you ensure you don't have to practise information technology too often.

Knowing this, what are the all-time means to clean a roof of algae and moss growth? Read on for our best roof-cleaning tips!

Don't: Use a pressure washer, which can loosen shingles and seriously impairment your roof.
Practice: Apply a sprayer fastened to garden hose that'due south filled with equal parts chlorine bleach and h2o. of laundry force liquid chlorine bleach and h2o. This is the best mode to make clean a roof if you lot have asphalt shingles. After spraying the roof with the mixture, let information technology to sit on the surface for fifteen to twenty minutes before rinsing thoroughly with clean h2o.

Don't: Ignore your landscape and surrounding areas, which can be harmed by the bleach solution
Exercise: Wet plants and shrubbery thoroughly with manifestly h2o before covering them with plastic, so rinse them once again subsequently using the bleach solution on your roof.

Don't: Assume the solution will immediately remove the growth from your roof and utilise the solution again.
Do: Accept patience. The algae will wash away during subsequent rainstorms, and moss will eventually loosen to the point where it can be removed with a leaf blower.

Don't: Make clean your roof on a sunny day, which will crusade the bleach solution to evaporate too quickly, limiting its cleansing effects.
Do: Make clean your roof on a cloudy, calm day when the wind isn't blowing and there's no threat of atmospheric precipitation.

Don't: Clean your roof without taking proper safety precautions.
Exercise: clean your roof but after determining that you can safely walk its surface. If the slope is too steep to easily traverse or if your firm is more 1 story, you should hire a pro. If you do get up on your roof, article of clothing well-fitting shoes with slip-resistant rubber soles and be sure to don centre and peel protection.

Don't: Wait until your roof is covered in algae or moss to take action.
Do: trim back overhanging branches to betrayal the roof to sunlight, and clear droppings such as branches and leaves, from its surfaces with a leaf blower if needed. Keep gutters make clean to ensure roofs remain equally dry as possible.

At present that you know the best ways to clean a roof, be sure to follow these guidelines advisedly. Note that our roof-cleaning tips merely apply for asphalt shingles. If you lot have another type of roof, it's important to check with your manufacturer to observe out how to make clean your roof. In fact, it's wise to consult your manufacturer for roof-cleaning tips regardless of what blazon of shingles you have in lodge to avoid inadvertent impairment.

Sometimes roofs are beyond cleaning or the cleaning reveals other, more than serious, issues. If that's your situation give the roofing experts at George J. Keller and Sons a call today at 973-927-0963 and we'll inspect your roof for complimentary and hash out your options.