How To Remove Algae From Your Roof

Ask the average person about algae and they’ll typically associate it with large bodies of water. However, in reality, algae can appear almost anywhere. And the chances of it appearing on one’s roof is far higher than most people would ever assume.

The key to understanding the relationship between algae and roofs comes back to the water. A roof protects the rest of a house from rain, sleet and snow. But all of this moisture can linger on for a considerable amount of time on a roof’s surface.

Even a small pocket of moisture sitting under the sun can serve as a perfect habitat for algae. Things get even worse if the house is located in an area with significant humidity. A combination of standing water on the roof and moisture in the air is perfect for algae. But what’s good for algae is often very bad for a homeowner.

As algae grow it will become more obvious to the unaided eye. Eventually, a beautiful roof will be marred by the dark stains, spots and streaks of algae. However, by the time this has happened the algae colony will typically have been growing for months.

This means that it’s had significant time to spread spores all over the roof as a whole. If a roof has some visible algae then it’s almost certain that it also harbors smaller algae colonies which simply haven’t become obvious yet.

The fact that algae are something of an invisible threat is also why it’s important to deal with it as soon as possible. The first sign of algae is usually just the tip of the iceberg when looking at what’s to come. But how can one fully remove algae from a roof?

Thankfully the removal process is fairly straightforward. To begin, one should take adequate precautions when stepping out onto a roof. It’s important to ensure the roof isn’t slippery, that ladders are firmly in place and that protective gear is properly prepared.

The cleaning process should begin with a mixture consisting of equal parts chlorine bleach and water. One should spread this solution over both areas which show algae growth and the immediate area around it. This wider range should destroy any algae which is growing but which hasn’t become visible to the unaided eye yet.

The solution will need some time to fully destroy the algae. It’s usually best to wait about twenty to thirty minutes before proceeding. After that time has passed one should proceed to rinse off the solution with standard water. It’s usually best to use a lower pressure spray in order to avoid potential damage to the roof.

This is the end of the algae but not the end of the procedure. It’s important to take some final steps to minimize the chances of the algae coming back again later. One should begin by carefully examining the roof’s drain gutters. Algae often begin due to accumulated moisture from clogged gutters.

If any tree branches are hanging over the roof then they need to be trimmed. A tree’s limb can often block sunlight and act as a source of water that’ll drip onto one’s roof. Both of these factors can work together to increase the chances of algae growth. Finally, it’s a good idea to end the procedure by carefully examining the roof for any sign of blockage or debris. Nothing on the roof should allow water to collect or pool.

Dixon Pressure Washing can help to remove algae from your roof.