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#1
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Removing black algae stains from roof shingles
When a roof has copper or galvanized items (vent pipes, exhaust fans,
etc.) protruding from it, shingles below these items will be free of algae stains because rain washes copper or zinc from the galvanized items off and kills the algae. Has anyone heard of using a copper or zinc solution in a hose end sprayer to clean remove the stains? If so, which chemical, what concentration, and what coverage? I'm experimenting with more conventional approaches (oxygen bleach, laundry detergent, and a produce called KrudKutter). All require multiple applications, "scrubbing" with a broom, and generous rinsing. There may be other proprietary (expensive) items that are more effective and easier to use, but for now I'm looking for shortcuts. Thanks, Ray |
#2
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Removing black algae stains from roof shingles
On Jun 24, 9:37 am, Ray K wrote:
When a roof has copper or galvanized items (vent pipes, exhaust fans, etc.) protruding from it, shingles below these items will be free of algae stains because rain washes copper or zinc from the galvanized items off and kills the algae. Has anyone heard of using a copper or zinc solution in a hose end sprayer to clean remove the stains? If so, which chemical, what concentration, and what coverage? I'm experimenting with more conventional approaches (oxygen bleach, laundry detergent, and a produce called KrudKutter). All require multiple applications, "scrubbing" with a broom, and generous rinsing. There may be other proprietary (expensive) items that are more effective and easier to use, but for now I'm looking for shortcuts. Thanks, Ray Roof zinc strip? Just install, let the rain do the work. Don't know how fast the stains will fade, though. Dave |
#3
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Removing black algae stains from roof shingles
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#5
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Removing black algae stains from roof shingles
On Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:20:30 -0400, Ray K
wrote: snip The problem with adding zinc strips is that they will take too long to work. That's why I was wondering if there is a zinc (or copper) solution I could just spray on the roof to remove the stains fast. All the zinc does is kill (or prevent from starting to grow) the algae and/or moss. It doesn't remove the stains. If you already have algae and stains, adding zinc strips will eventually slowly kill it, but it will take a long time for the stains to weather off. Best bet is to clean the roof (bleach and TSP substitute worked for me, but did require scrubbing with a soft brush), and then add the zinc strips to stop or at least slow the return of the algae and/or moss. Also, the zinc strips don't seem to work very well on shallow-pitch roofs, although you can add a second or third row of the strips lower down on the roof to help. But then they can be kind of ugly. HTH, Paul F. |
#6
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Removing black algae stains from roof shingles
On Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:37:20 -0400, Ray K
wrote: When a roof has copper or galvanized items (vent pipes, exhaust fans, etc.) protruding from it, shingles below these items will be free of algae stains because rain washes copper or zinc from the galvanized items off and kills the algae. Has anyone heard of using a copper or zinc solution in a hose end sprayer to clean remove the stains? If so, which chemical, what concentration, and what coverage? I'm experimenting with more conventional approaches (oxygen bleach, laundry detergent, and a produce called KrudKutter). All require multiple applications, "scrubbing" with a broom, and generous rinsing. There may be other proprietary (expensive) items that are more effective and easier to use, but for now I'm looking for shortcuts. Thanks, Ray A year ago I asked the same question that you are asking now. I had very noticeable black algae streaks on the north facing slopes of my white shingled roof. A reply directed me to http://www.sprayandforget.com/ I tried this product and now I have no black streaks at all. This after just one application last fall. No scrubbing. Just spray and forget. It does take time to work. The product stays in place up to a year and every time it rains it releases more algae killer. I believe the formula calls for a 9:1 ratio of water to chemical. Because of this I would suggest buying their low ratio sprayer also. |
#7
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Removing black algae stains from roof shingles
Paul Franklin wrote:
On Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:20:30 -0400, Ray K wrote: snip The problem with adding zinc strips is that they will take too long to work. That's why I was wondering if there is a zinc (or copper) solution I could just spray on the roof to remove the stains fast. All the zinc does is kill (or prevent from starting to grow) the algae and/or moss. It doesn't remove the stains. If you already have algae and stains, adding zinc strips will eventually slowly kill it, but it will take a long time for the stains to weather off. Best bet is to clean the roof (bleach and TSP substitute worked for me, but did require scrubbing with a soft brush), and then add the zinc strips to stop or at least slow the return of the algae and/or moss. Also, the zinc strips don't seem to work very well on shallow-pitch roofs, although you can add a second or third row of the strips lower down on the roof to help. But then they can be kind of ugly. HTH, Paul F. Thanks, Paul. That's the kind of feedback I was looking for. My house is a ranch, so your comment about shallow-pitch roofs applies to me. Do you remember your concentrations of bleach and TSP? Why did you use TSP substitute? Ray |
#8
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Removing black algae stains from roof shingles
wrote:
On Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:37:20 -0400, Ray K wrote: When a roof has copper or galvanized items (vent pipes, exhaust fans, etc.) protruding from it, shingles below these items will be free of algae stains because rain washes copper or zinc from the galvanized items off and kills the algae. Has anyone heard of using a copper or zinc solution in a hose end sprayer to clean remove the stains? If so, which chemical, what concentration, and what coverage? I'm experimenting with more conventional approaches (oxygen bleach, laundry detergent, and a produce called KrudKutter). All require multiple applications, "scrubbing" with a broom, and generous rinsing. There may be other proprietary (expensive) items that are more effective and easier to use, but for now I'm looking for shortcuts. Thanks, Ray A year ago I asked the same question that you are asking now. I had very noticeable black algae streaks on the north facing slopes of my white shingled roof. A reply directed me to http://www.sprayandforget.com/ I tried this product and now I have no black streaks at all. This after just one application last fall. No scrubbing. Just spray and forget. It does take time to work. The product stays in place up to a year and every time it rains it releases more algae killer. I believe the formula calls for a 9:1 ratio of water to chemical. Because of this I would suggest buying their low ratio sprayer also. Thanks for the lead; it's one I hadn't come across before posting. I may try it after I removed the bulk of the stains using other faster methods. Some of their prices seem extremely high, like $52 for a low-ratio hose end sprayer. Ortho makes one for about $10; unfortunately its lowest ratio is 8 oz/gal or 1:16. Ratio depends on hole size, a simple thing to change during initial design. That's why I can't understand Spray and Forget's high price. (No competition = high price.) Ray |
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