A standard roof lasts between two to five decades. However, the lifespan also depends on other factors like care and maintenance of the shingles. Unfortunately, mold growth is one of the fasteners of your roof deterioration.
It is easy to remove and clean mold from the roof, and homeowners can DIY the process. You only need the correct gear for climbing the roof for safety and suitable cleaning detergents. However, if you are unsure about DIY, hire a professional roofer from this page to clean the roof.
Before removing the mold from the roof, homeowners first need to know how to check the signs of mold growth and its effects. Once you confirm there is mold on the ceiling, you can follow the steps later in the article to remove it.
Let us get into it.
Signs Of Mold Growth on The Roof
Mold grows mainly on the roofs that are under a shade. When it rains, the roof does not get direct sunlight to dry fast. Moisture on the shingles provides a good breeding area for mold, spreading fast. Some signs of mold growth on the roof are;
1. Leaking Roof
There are many causes of a leaking roof, including mold growth. It happens when mold covers the shingles because they take longer to dry. The wood shingles absorb the moisture slowly. With time, the ceiling saturates and begins to leak.
Cutting down all the branches around the roof ensures the shingles are directly exposed to sunlight and dry immediately after rain. You should also ensure the gutters are working correctly for proper drainage.
2. Odor
Another sign of mold on your roof is odor, which may occur before you notice the mold. If you discover a terrible odor in the rooms, inspect the roof shingles, attic, and ceiling. You can also treat them to kill any mold that may have grown on them.
3. Brown And Green Spots on The Roof
The most noticeable sign of mold growth is the shingles’ brown, black or green spots. If you have been experiencing water problems with your roof and spot these signs, clean the shingles right away. It prevents the mold from spreading.
Effects Of Roof Mold on The House
Some homeowners see the signs of mold growth and postpone the cleaning. Although reducing your home’s curb appeal is the main effect of mold on the roof, it causes other serious problems affecting your entire home and family. Some effects of mold are;
1. Reduced Aesthetics
Mold covers the entire roof with black and brown spots, reducing its aesthetics. Besides, the mold can damage the shingles by causing permanent stains, which are visible by people driving down the road.
Cleaning the mold during the early stages prevents these permanent problems. It also keeps the shingles in good shape and maintains their original color. You will also get homebuyers faster because of the beautiful roof.
2. Spreading To Other Rooms
When it rains and water leaks into the rooms, it could spread mold particles. With time, you will begin to notice the brown and green spots on your walls. Moreover, the mold could also extend to your bedroom and get to the clothes, causing stains.
Mold in the house causes respiratory problems to family members, and those with asthma will get more attacks. Washing the shingles keeps your family comfortable and your clothes safe.
3. Lead To Roof Replacement
Failure to clean the mold from the roof could cause more problems that require entire roof replacement. For example, when the stains on the roof are permanent, the only other way to improve your home’s aesthetics is by replacing the expensive roof.
Besides, mold feeds on wooden roof shingles, weakening the entire structure. Weak roofs can easily fall and damage the whole house, and worst of all, cause fatal accidents to the family.
How To Remove Mold from The Roof
Mold causes a lot of damage to the roof. To prevent roof damage and health effects, follow these steps to remove the mold from the roof.
Step 1: Make A Bleach Solution
The best mold removing detergent is a mixture of bleach, water, and trisodium phosphate. Since handling chemicals with your bare hands irritates, ensure you wear gloves and a breathing mask before mixing them.
To make the detergent, mix ¼ part of chlorine and ¾ part of the water in a bucket. Add a tablespoon of trisodium phosphate and stir. Lastly, pour the solution into a pump sprayer ready to spray the roof.
Step 2: Clean the Shingles
Sweep any loose particles of the mold off of the shingles before spraying. But before climbing the roof to sweep, put on the correct climbing gear and use a sturdy ladder for safety. You should also cover the plants next to the roof.
When scrubbing, use a long-handled brush with moderately tough bristles to lose the mold particles. You should sweep the mold particles in the slope direction to prevent them from getting stuck in between the shingles.
Step 3: Spray the Roof
Once you’ve gathered all of the loose mold particles, take your spray bottle up to the roof and spray it. To prevent the solution from draining, work from the bottom to the top of the roof. Avoid using a pressure washer when spraying because the high pressure damages the shingles. Also, clean the shingles when cool and cloudy to ensure the solution does not evaporate before killing the mold.
Step 4: Rinse the Solution
Fill the sprayer with clean water or use a garden hose to clean the roof. When rinsing, pass the water on every part of the roof touched by the chemical and remove all the remaining mold particles.
Failure to thoroughly cleanse the chemicals could cause permanent bleaching on the shingles, leading to discoloration. You can also use the same mixture to treat your roof yearly and prevent mold growth.
Final Words
Mold growth on roof shingles leads to reduced aesthetics and health problems, but it is easy to clean. Besides, although it is easy to DIY, you can also call a professional roofer to do it for you to avoid complications. Hopefully, these simple steps will help you.