Roof Cleaning is a common event in Florida and Roof-A-Cide® was created as a cost-effective and much safer alternative to repetitive roof cleaning in South Florida. Roof-A-Cide® is totally effective on barrel tile, concrete tile, and asphalt / fiberglass shingles. Roof-A-Cide® is now being offered throughout the United States.   
 
BACKGROUND

In Florida, many homeowners’ associations and even some municipalities requiring periodic "roof cleaning", but the damage caused by most traditional methods has become a problem that demands a different alternative. Traditional cleaning typically involves chlorine bleach or pressure cleaning – both of which have been known to cause unnecessary and sometimes extensive damage to the roof and surrounding property. In addition, these methods yield results that typically last only 6-12 months. Many homeowners in Florida now expect to replace their roofs after only 12-15 years rather than 25-30 simply because of the damage caused by repeated cleaning.

THE PROBLEM

The black streaking typically found on homes in areas where moisture settles on shingles is not really caused by dirt, mold, mildew, or fungus; it's primarily roof algae. Mold, mildew, and fungus are terms that most homeowners have come to associate with the discoloration of the roof and so they have now become a much-abused description of what is actually occurring on the roof. Scientists at 3M have identified the most common form of roof algae as Gloeocapsa Magma. These algae spores are carried by the wind, which is why so many houses in the same neighborhood end up with this problem.

During the last 20 years, this particular algae strain has become hardier and has been able to migrate to less humid environments than it has in the past. And in areas where it traditionally has been found, the staining is showing up earlier, is more severe and settles on a greater number of roofs. This is a “growing” problem throughout the United States.

HOW CAN IT BE CLEANED?

A quality roof should last upwards of 25-30 years if cared for and maintained properly. Unfortunately, many roofs here in Florida (and increasingly throughout the US) are replaced prematurely simply because they are discolored, have not been properly maintained, or they have been subjected to unnecessary stress while cleaning that greatly reduces the life expectancy of the roof. Roof cleaning can be done safely and effectively, but it comes with certain pitfalls that every Homeowner, Property Manager, and Professional Roofer should be aware of in order to avoid damage to property, unnecessary repair costs, and the premature replacement of the roof.

Typical methods involve either pressure cleaning or chemicals treatments such as Chlorine Bleach or Sodium Hydroxide. If used properly, these methods will clean the roof with minimum adverse impact – but the effects are very temporary and will have to be repeated every 6-18 months in order to maintain the appearance of the roof.

THESE METHODS ARE NOT A LONG-TERM SOLUTION

While these methods are relatively safe and effective when done properly, repeated "roof cleaning" will lead to premature aging of the roof. The natural erosion that occurs over time from the basic forces of heat, cold, wind, and rain alone are enough to bring most roofs to the point where annual inspections and minor repairs are a necessity to prevent significant repair costs. But when the roof is repeatedly subjected to high pressures or harsh chemicals, the aging of the roof is greatly accelerated.
With repeated cleaning, concrete tiles are more likely to shift, slip, or break and asphalt shingles are more likely to become brittle and crack. When this happens, there is a greater chance of damaging the roof simply by walking on it.

And once gaps are created, by natural means or otherwise, and subsequent pressure cleaning or chemical cleaning is administered to a roof, these gaps provide water or the caustic solutions with a path to the protective roof underlayment, moisture barriers, metal valley underlining, and flashings - increasing the chance of roof leaks and costly repairs.

WHAT ARE THE BEST ALTERNATIVES?

The most effective long-term strategies will minimize the use of high pressures and harsh chemicals by stressing prevention from the start. These strategies should include periodic roof inspections / maintenance and regular applications of algaecide protection to prevent algae discoloration before it begins – and the subsequent need for cleaning.

(For roofs that are currently infested with algae, Roof-A-Cide offers several cleaning solutions that are both Chlorine and Caustic-free and can be used to clean a roof safely and effectively without risking damage to the roof or the surrounding property!)

A proper program of preventative maintenance and algaecide protection will eliminate the the potential for damage – giving the homeowner an aesthetically pleasing roof for the life of the roof. Most quality treatment programs have expected results lasting approximately 6-12 months. Obviously, the longer the time frame, the better your chances are of minimizing any unnecessary damage to the roof.