4 Tips on How To Remove Mould From Your Roof

You want to maintain your roof as long as possible, as a good roof can last on average around 25 years. Some roofs are able to last up to 50 years, depending on the roofing material that is used. Common roof types such as wood or shingles can possibly start to grow mould without the proper care. You want to take care of that as soon as possible.

DIY solution

The first tip to help you remove your mould is using a water and bleach solution on the affected area. If the mould is primarily algae, then this solution will work well. Spray it on the affected area and wait around 30 minutes to an hour for the bleach to do its business.

Always make sure to wear a properly ventilator style mask and protective gloves when handling bleach or any type of removal. Combine this with trisodium phosphate (about a teaspoon per litre of solution) to help with those extra-tough mould growths.

Professional cleaners

If the bleach solution isn't working after a few rinses, then you need to get something stronger from the DIY store. If you have a bitumen roof, you want to avoid bleach and anything with sodium as these salts can actually harm the bitumen itself while killing the mould. You will need to check the labels to ensure your roof can handle them, but most over the counter cleaning solutions can help with cleaning and removing all types of mould from your roof.

Using a roofing company or professional cleaning company

The final tip is simply hiring a professional to do it. Previous tips didn't mention the use of a power washer, because, in the hands of an amateur, more damage will be done to the roof, than trying to remove the mould.

These professional cleaning companies know exactly how to spot the mould, and use the best course of action to remove it. Whether it's a power washing/cleaning solution or simply a replacement of the roof area if the damage is too far gone, they will be able to offer you the best solution available.

Consider a preventative measure

Maybe you don't have mould on your roof currently, but that doesn't mean you can't take action to prevent future outbreaks. A great and cost effective way to either prevent or reduce the spread of mould is to apply zinc or copper stripes throughout the roof.

It's an easy installation for a roofing contractor and they are applied just underneath the roofing, but still can be seen. This and some preventative topical treatments can be placed on your roof periodically to help with mould prevention going forward.

You want to make sure you're as thorough as possible when it comes to handling mould removal on your roof. If you leave even a small portion unchecked, it can rapidly grow and damage your roof permanently, requiring expensive repairs that could have been avoided with some simple roof maintenance and cleaning.