The Effects Of Mold On Your Roof — And How To Remove It

Over time, as a result of exposure to moisture, our roofing can experience mold growth.

This not only ruins the aesthetics of your home, but this can cause several medical conditions. These conditions can include allergies, irritation or infections.

How Is The Roof Affected?

A moist and humid environment is ideal for the growth of mold. Algae, lichens and mold can eat through the shingles in the roof, causing the wood to rot.

Once the wood rots, moisture can easily seep through the cracks and make its way into your home. This will not only damage your roof, but can weaken the structure of your home once the moisture seeps into the walls. You will begin to see cracks in the walls; the shingles on the roof will be covered in stains.

Mold stains form on the roof shingles because of being in permanent shade. If there is a tree providing shade to your roof, you are creating the perfect conditions for mold growth. The stains caused by mold discolor the roof and weakens the shingles.

How To Clean The Roof

If you are experiencing problems with mold growth, here is a way you can use household cleaning supplies to get rid of this issue.

First, you the need to make sure that all the plants near the sides of your house are well protected.

The bleach solution you are going to use can damage the plants. You can splash water on the plants or cover them with plastic sheeting.

Before using the bleach solution, wear gloves and a breathing mask. The solution you make must contain ½ parts of chlorine bleach and ¾ parts water. Add one tablespoon of trisodium phosphate (TSP). Now that your mixture is ready, pour it into a pump sprayer to apply it easily.

Spray it all over the shingles and let the solution soak into the shingles for about 15 minutes. This time will depend on how much mold there is. Then using a garden hose, rinse the entire roof. Start from the top and make your way to the bottom shingles. This way you will be able to prevent seepage in the roof.

Remember to never use a pressure washer for this cleaning it can corrode the shingles, which will further weaken the roofing.

When you are consistently facing problems with mold, it is a sign that you need to contact a professional roofing company. Your roof might need to be replaced.

Haralson Roofing can help to make the necessary repairs you might need, or in the case of severe mold, they can install a new one. Take their online mold quiz to find out the next step in roof repairs.