Advice for moss and algae on asphalt roof shingles

I had new roofing installed (GAF 50 year asphalt shingles) about 5 years ago. I've noticed that over the past year its started to develop growing moss and algae on certain sections which are located under tall oak trees. The old roof, under the same trees for 30 years had NONE of this growth. I've also noticed that on one side of my house, the same end of the house with the roof moss, has algae growing relatively significantly on my white alum siding. Again, only the past year or so.

This side is south facing and there are no side trees blocking horizontal sun exposure.

So, my questions are:

What might be causing this condition starting only this past year?

What damage is being caused by the moss on the shingles?

What could I do to eliminate and prevent future growth?

Any possible recourse with the shingle manufacturer?

Thanks for any/all advice provided.

B
Reply to
bobm3
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You can't beat this product.

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Reply to
tnom

Very first result from Bing search....

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Brush it off with a stiff bristle brush and add copper strips under the cap with an inch or 2 of copper exposed....

Reply to
benick

I don't trust anything that says it's "eco-friendly".

Jon

Reply to
Jon Danniken

"benick" wrote in news:m8WdnTBRRst0rJLWnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@neonova.net:

Zinc strips are often used. Lot less expensive. Have no knowledge of comparison of effectiveness.

Reply to
Red Green

If you agree to put up with the removal of the particles that make up a shingle and thus shorten its life, then this scrubbing motion will certainly remove the moss and algae and a portion of the shingle..

The smart way to remove algae is to not use any scrubbing motion at all. Just apply a long lasting chemical that will eventually kill the growth. Then with periodic applications of once every two years this same chemical will maintain a algae free roof.

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Reply to
tnom

I don't care if it's eco friendly or not. It works. I had black algae stains all over my white shingled roof. They are gone. Not plants or animals were harmed in the process.

Reply to
tnom

ZINC strips..Google 'zinc roof strips': buy and put them up per instructions

Reply to
Rudy

-snip-

you need to make up your mind-

We know that statement is false. The question now, is 'what else was killed besides the lowly algae.

Jim

Reply to
Jim Elbrecht

Is new roof the same color and texture, I could understand a more agressive texture or style holding tree debris instead of alowing it to wash off since oaks drop sticky sap in early summer, a different color would not heat up the same as the old roof from the sun affecting what lives. I would not scrub the roof. Zinc strips at the peak might help. Contact the roof co, bleach and other "moss" treatments will kill mold and moss but will it ruin the roofs life expectancy? Your store bought moss treatments probably have Sodium Hypochlorate as the main ingrediant, thats just Laundry bleach for 10x the price. Contact GAF.

Reply to
ransley

search....

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I don't know if copper will kill the moss and algae but it will cause green stains on the roof, so there may be no change in appearance. Zinc kills moss and algae and oxidizes as white and may not cause any visible stains on the roof while eliminating the green.

Reply to
EXT

Then hope the do anything. They didn't stop the moss on my neighbor's roof.

Reply to
Bob F

Some roofing material has things added to stop moss growth. Other doesn't.

Reply to
Bob F

I thought copper worked too?

TDD

Reply to
The Daring Dufas

Do you have a bottle of Spray and Forget handy? If so, would you please post the listed active ingredients from the label?

Reply to
Tony Sivori

Considering it recently started on the siding along with the relatively new shingles, I'd say the new shingles has little or nothing to do with the problem.

As your trees grow, the shade becomes denser, which promotes moss, fungus and algae. Temperature, moisture and humidity are also factors. Perhaps this years weather promoted growth more than average.

Over time, plenty. You don't want to let this go unsolved.

There are a variety of chemical treatments, plus the metal strip method.

Trim the trees back so the roof gets more sun.

Maybe. Did they give you an ironclad guarantee against all moss, fungus, algae and mildew growth? If not, I suspect that you're on your own.

I had the same problem on my roof this year, in a shady spot that sounds similar to yours. I had both moss and fungus well established on the roof.

I considered a bleach solution, but I was worried about the affect it might have on the asphalt fiberglass shingles on my roof.

I checked all the products at Lowes, and all I found was siding and deck wash products did not mention use on roofs.

So I took a chance, and sprayed a weed killer on it one afternoon when heavy rain was forecast for that night. It looks to have killed about 90% of it. But since I don't know what that might have done to shorten the life of the shingles, I don't recommend doing what I did.

Reply to
Tony Sivori

You're not nice!

Reply to
Tony Sivori

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Reply to
Tony Sivori

Benzylkonium Chloride

From Wiki:

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It is used in pharmaceuticals such as leave-on skin antiseptics, hygienic towelettes, and wet wipes, Lysol and ethanol-free solutions are often used in preparations used for skin disinfection prior to use of syringes.

Reply to
tnom

I thought you were concerned with Eco-Friendly products? Or is it just a concern when others use them?

Reply to
tnom

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