hi everyone I have an issue with green moss growing on my garage roof , i know its getting close to the time for new roof not to mention the big black streaks . this seems like it has occured over the last 2 years i was thinking of spraying the moss with roundup . i am also afraid to use bleech ANY COMMENTS ???
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Look here:
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/asktoh/question/0,,401167,00.html
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
Everything fits, until you put glue on it.
I also have moss on my roof. And yeah, I'm just about due for a new roof too. I've tried round-up and it kinda, sorta works, but the moss seems to bounce back pretty quickly. I checked at a garden center and they sell a product specifically for moss and algae, but I haven't tried it. I doubt that I will. A new roof (one of these days) will take care of it.
One thing that I wouldn't do is remove it with any mechanical means (scraper, broom, power washer, etc.) because that just remove the granules that protect the shingles themselves.
A strip of copper, zinc, lead, or any other metal near exposed near the ridge will wash ions down the roof when it rains and kills any growth.
>>...strip of copper, zinc, ..... exposed near the ridge will wash ions down the roof when it rains and kills any growth.<<
I know the copper, zinc strips will prevent algae / moss / mold growth on a new roof, but will they kill an already established moss patch? What happens to the dead moss?
Copper and zinc strips both readily available here at roofing supply houses.
Inquiring minds want to know!
Thanks,
JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
Can't say that I have first hand experience, but I would think that after a few rainstorms the "legs" of the moss would be killed, then the "body" could be washed or brushed off the roof. Just a guess though.
I was hoping for that first hand experience as I have a customer in mind with this problem.
His roof is getting "tired", so maybe will just suggest the strips as a preventative measure on the new roof.
JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
How does one then get the ions off the roof?Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
"If Brains was lard, you couldn't grease much of a pan"Jed Clampitt
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You want the ions to stay. Be nice to them.:)
Wayne
A good ionic breeze should blow them off....
I thought you'd ask your cousin, Ionosphere.
Not in Florida they won't. As a matter of fact they kill so little moss that you'd be hard put to know the strips were there at all. I put down several thousand feet of zinc strips before I discovered that they didn't make any difference.
Have you tried copper or lead?
To be honest, I don't think lead will do it. Lead does not "give up" it's particles as freely as copper and zinc. It turns into lead oxide, and stays pretty much on the surface, else wise it would wear out faster than it does.
Copper abrades with rainfall, and zinc as well, hence the shorter life over lead. It's the oxidation that preserves the metallic "Ions" and when it washes away, gives the desired effect on the roofeture.
Lead don't do that, it sits there, like....lead.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
"If Brains was lard, you couldn't grease much of a pan"Jed Clampitt
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Lead don't do that, it sits there, like....lead.
Actually, it works pretty well. There's no moss or algae growing downhill from the lead WV boots here abouts.http://www.quittintime.com/ View Image
Well, yeah, that's how I found you, looking for MY lead.
But not for algae control, just best for my app.
I'll never forget when I said "I'll solder it"
And you said " you ever do that?"
Yeah, mitered pipe organ pipes, 80% lead, 20% zinc..and every comination there of.
Small pic, new rules
View ImageSpheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
"If Brains was lard, you couldn't grease much of a pan"Jed Clampitt
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Lead don't do that, it sits there, like....lead.
That's what I would have thought too, if I hain't seen it with my own two eyes. We use more lead than we probably should. Maybe it does to moss what it does to kids' brains?
when I worked in FL, nothing grew downhill of the lead boots and chimney flashings.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Are you ready for me to take my time and show you the benefits of the various metals, in various conditions?
The benefits of lead, Vs. copper Vs. in salt spray?
In regard to MOSS or algenate in shingles?
Wide open. Paul....Copper aresnate is the algecide, not lead oxide.
Oxygenation of Cu and Pl and it's / thier oxides are apples and ....
Add a catlyst like a flux, zinc chloride and it's an electrolytic reaction, no longer chemical or heat..thus the pipe conumdrum that posters here see.
Lets dance.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
"If Brains was lard, you couldn't grease much of a pan"Jed Clampitt
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Not sure what you meant by all that, but you seemed to imply that other metals were present which was not the case. A lead boot completely covered the pipe and that was plastic anyways. No copper or zinc present.lead is toxic to micro-organisms - one reason why the old wood painted with lead paints didn't rot like todays woods do.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Last night I was working in the garden and looked up to see my worn-out, 30 year old moss- and lichen-covered ashpalt roof, clear of growth downhill of the 30 year old lead flashed chimney.
Down near the eave the growth started up again so it isn't a perfect solution by any means. From what I understand copper is the additive in new shingles, and obviously the main ingredient in treated lumber. I wonder if they ever tried to make PT lumber using lead?
No, I've bought the rolls of zinc and used them.
http://www.sprayandforget.com/
I have had good results with this. The moss came off by just bumping it with my foot. It did not appear to take any granuals off. It did work great on vinyl siding on a shaded exposure that had green gunk growing on it. It will get the black off the roof.
I had a similar problem in spite of zinc strips and was successful in eliminating it by using a low power pressure wash to remove as much of the moss as possible followed by spraying with a garden sprayer a solution of 1 part household bleach to two parts water. Runoff was minimal since I required only 5 or 6 gallons of the solution to do about 600 ft. sq. of roof and no harm came to any vegetation or creature.
Do a thorough job and you won't get fast regrowth from dormant spores.
If you check many shingle manufacturers websites you'll find they recommend Tide with Bleach, and I have had very good results with it. We get moss build up on all north facing or shaded roofs within a couple of years here. Putting the Tide on is an annual job. You need three or four days with no rain or wind so that it has time to kill the moss. After several weeks you can rub off any stubborn dead bits that are still adhered to the shingles with a leather glove.
On old roofs that are going to replaced anyway I an much more aggressive. I don't see why people worry about about losing a bit of the aggregate, when leaving the moss is liable to cause leaks and quicker deterioration of the shingle than a bit of wear due to brushing.