Algae On Roof Tiles Uk
Algae stains don t show up below the metal flashing around chimneys or roof vents because the copper and the zinc coating on galvanized sheet metal are toxic to algae.
Algae on roof tiles uk. Algae grow most often on wood and asphalt shingles or concrete tiles especially if they do not get a lot of sunlight. Moss can grow quite quickly and it will grow in between roof tiles filling in the voids and lifting up roof tiles and slates. Fast acting high performance roof tile cleaner quickly removes all forms of organic growth from any type of roof tile contains 4 powerful active cleaning ingredients and a biocide to inhibit further growth removes black and white spot algae lichen 5 litres of product will clean and treat approximately 40 m. The moss remover is supplied in 5 litre containers and diluted down to 25 litres.
A north facing roof usually has little sunlight which enables moss to buildup on the roof. Can you guess what the favorite food of roof moss is. Moss remover for roofs easily applied by sprayer will quickly start to kill of moss and algae. Roof algae generally have a black green hue.
Both moss and lichen like a slightly alkaline to an acidic surface as the combination of acid rain and alkaline tile concrete produces a very weak salt solution which it likes. If left will offer effective moss removal without extreme pressure cleaning. In september 2012 the national federation of roofing contractors nfrc went so far as to say that moss on roof tiles is rarely a problem adding that it only need to be removed if it starts blocking gutters and other drainage points. Depending on who you talk to roof moss or algae is either a serious problem for uk roofs or absolutely nothing to worry about.
Stop roof algae from coming back. It is really important to remember roof algae is a living organism and needs food to stay alive. These strips contain chemicals that are poisonous to plant life and when it rains the water absorbs these chemicals washing away any existing intruders and preventing new moss or algae. To keep the algae from coming back insert 6 inch wide strips of zinc or copper under the row of shingling closest to the roof peak leaving an inch or two of the lower edge exposed to the weather.
If you experience serious levels of moss algae or lichen build up on your roof tiles you could consider installing copper or zinc strips along your roof. That way whenever it rains some of the metal molecules will wash down the roof and kill any algae trying to. If your roof is not kept clean and well maintained roof moss and algae can shave years off the life of your roof. Whenever it rains trace amounts of metals are washed down the roof inhibiting algae growth.
You may think you have roof algae when really you have moss mildew or mold. The most common class of roof algae is gloeocapsa magma a bacterium that eats water and expels oxygen. Moss growing under roof slate and tiles can push the slate out of position allowing rainwater to seep into the roof structure.