- Choose your cleaning agent. You cannot effectively clean asphalt shingles with just soap and water. Instead, you’ll have to choose a specially-formulated cleaning agent.
- Pour the cleaning agent into a spraying device. Fill a low-pressure agricultural sprayer or a pump-up garden sprayer with the asphalt cleaning agent.
- Apply the cleaning agent to the roof. After clambering out onto your roof, spray the asphalt shingles you wish to clean.
- Spray the roof with water. After about 20 minutes, spray the asphalt shingles with water from your garden hose.
- Scrub tenacious moss or algae. If moss or algae growth on your asphalt shingles is particularly thick, use a medium-stiff bristled broom or brush to loosen it with a ...
How to properly dispose of asphalt roof shingles?
- Spread plastic sheeting on the ground around the house where the asbestos siding or roofing will be removed.
- Wear protective clothing, gloves, goggles, shoe covers, and the proper respirator (N100 or HE) when working with asbestos.
- Keep those not wearing proper safety equipment away from the area where the asbestos material is being removed.
Why you should use asphalt shingles?
Asphalt shingles are easier to install than other types of shingles and therefore will take less time. As the most popular type of shingle in North America, asphalt shingles benefit from lower production costs and lower installation costs, as roofers are more familiar with working with asphalt shingles.
Are asphalt shingles considered hazardous waste?
Top Answer (53% of 76 votes): No. Explanation: Because they break down so slowly in a landfill, but they can be recycled. Explanation: Asphalt shingles are not considered hazardous waste and can be disposed of in a normal manner. Most municipalities have recycling sites.
How to replace asphalt shingles?
How to replace an asphalt roof shingle: Insert a putty knife under and above the damaged shingle to break the seal holding it down. Use a flat bar to pry up the damaged shingle and remove the nails, being careful not to damage the shingle above it. Cut off the damage tab of the shingle with a utility knife, or remove the entire piece.
How do you clean a roof without damaging shingles?
Don't: Use a pressure washer, which can loosen shingles and seriously damage your roof. Do: Use a sprayer attached to garden hose that's filled with equal parts chlorine bleach and water. of laundry strength liquid chlorine bleach and water. This is the best way to clean a roof if you have asphalt shingles.
What is the best cleaner for roof shingles?
They cut through the dirt, grime, and sludge, revealing your roof's true colors.BEST OVERALL: Wet and Forget Moss, Mold and Mildew Stain Remover.BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Mold Armor E-Z House Wash 64 fl. ... BEST BLEACH: MOLD ARMOR CLEANER 1 GAL.BEST CHEMICAL: Spray & Forget Revolutionary Roof Cleaner Concentrate.More items...•
Does bleach damage asphalt shingles?
No, bleach will not cause discoloration in your shingles, or asphalt shingles.
What should you clean shingles with?
A cool, wet compresses on the affected skin. Soothing baths and lotions, such as colloidal oatmeal bath, starch baths, or calamine lotion. Zostrix, a cream that contains capsaicin (an extract of pepper)
What do professionals use to clean roofs?
The most popular chemical used today by roof cleaners is still “bleach” or sodium hypochlorite. It is also the chemical of choice of ARMA, the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association.
Is it OK to power wash shingles?
Never, ever under any circumstances pressure wash your roof shingles on your own or pay a company to do so. Sure, it's tempting to want to get any moss, algae, dirt, etc. off of your roofing shingles. But pressure washing your asphalt roof will do more harm than good.
Will vinegar clean roof shingles?
Vinegar is the best shingle roof cleaner for a few reasons. First, it is cheap and easy to find. Second, you can mix it with dish soap to increase effectiveness. Use a higher concentration of vinegar for more severe damage or less for a quick wash.
Does wet and forget work on shingles?
Wet & Forget Outdoor works with the wind and rain over time to completely wipe out black algae and keep it away for a year or more in most cases. Wet & Forget's gentle, caustic formula is safe for all shingles and won't corrode your downspouts or harm your lawn with runoff.
How do you remove black stains from asphalt shingles?
A mixture of trisodium phosphate (TSP), bleach, and water will also remove stains. Oxygen bleach lightens stains as well and is less harmful to the environment, but it doesn't produce as immediate or dramatic an effect as chlorine bleach.
Can you wash shingles with soap?
Keep the area clean with mild soap and water. Application of petroleum jelly can aid in healing. Wear loose clothing to avoid extra pain from clothing rubbing against the rash.
Can you use 30 second cleaner on roof shingles?
0:001:2930 Seconds - How to clean your Roof - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf your roofer awning is looking a bit under the weather give it a refresh with 30 seconds roofMoreIf your roofer awning is looking a bit under the weather give it a refresh with 30 seconds roof treatments or the new roof.
How do you remove mold and mildew from roof shingles?
The most effective method of cleaning algae and moss from a roof is with a 50:50 mix of laundry strength liquid chlorine bleach and water. Apply with a sprayer and allow the solution to dwell on the roof surface for 15 to 20 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with low pressure water.
Can you use 30 second cleaner on roof shingles?
0:001:2930 Seconds - How to clean your Roof - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf your roofer awning is looking a bit under the weather give it a refresh with 30 seconds roofMoreIf your roofer awning is looking a bit under the weather give it a refresh with 30 seconds roof treatments or the new roof.
How do you remove black stains from shingles?
A mixture of trisodium phosphate (TSP), bleach, and water will also remove stains. Oxygen bleach lightens stains as well and is less harmful to the environment, but it doesn't produce as immediate or dramatic an effect as chlorine bleach.
What chemical is used to soft wash roofs?
sodium hypochloriteWhen professionals think of soft washing roofs and siding, the top cleaning chemical used is a professional-grade 12.5% sodium hypochlorite, or bleach, mixed with water.
How to clean asphalt with bleach?
Combine 1 part laundry detergent with 3 parts water and 1 part bleach. Make sure the combination is mixed thoroughly. Work the cleaner into the asphalt. Pour some of the cleaner onto a section of the asphalt, and then use the hand brush to work the product into the asphalt.
How to clean oil stains off asphalt?
Pre-treat oil stains and tire marks before attempting to clean the entire surface. Accomplish this by coating the heavier stained areas with laundry detergent. Pour a generous amount of the powdered detergent directly onto oil and similar stains. Allow the detergent to set for several minutes, soaking into the wet surface and beginning the task of lifting oil and other stains from the top layer of the asphalt.
How to clean asphalt with a hand brush?
Work the cleaner into the asphalt. Pour some of the cleaner onto a section of the asphalt, and then use the hand brush to work the product into the asphalt. Use a combination of clockwise, counter-clockwise and back and forth movements to work the bristles into the surface of the asphalt.
Can you use a power washer to clean asphalt?
When cleaning asphalt driveways, using a power washer is often a great way to get the job done quickly. However, a power washer is not a good idea for cleaning asphalt shing les, since the water pressure can actually damage the shingles and ruin the roof. Thanks! Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
What detergents are used on asphalt shingles?
We use sodium hypochlorite, non-phosphate detergents, and so dium metasilicate combination on asphalt shingles. The concentration depends on how stained the roof is, the pitch of the roof, and the time of year (temperature). Never let anyone use high pressure on your roof.
What causes black spots on asphalt shingles?
Find out how to remove unsightly black stains from asphalt shingle roofs caused by an algae known as Gloeocapsa Magma that is spread by airborne spores.
How to remove algae from roof?
There are several products on the market specifically designed to remove algae stains from roofs, such as Wet & Forget Outdoor. A mixture of trisodium phosphate (TSP), bleach, and water will also remove stains. Oxygen bleach lightens stains as well and is less harmful to the environment, but it doesn’t produce as immediate or dramatic an effect as chlorine bleach.
What is the best cleaner to use with bleach?
1/4 cup TSP (trisodium phosphate) or other heavy duty cleaner (don’t use a cleaner that contains ammonia or is not recommended for mixing with bleach, as it can result in poisonous chlorine gas)
How long does it take for a hail shingle to be loosened?
Adjusters know it can take 2-3 years for hail damage to become appearant so usually honor the claim.
Why is my asphalt roof black?
Black stains on an asphalt roof caused by algae.
Can you clean algae off of asphalt?
Algae stains can be removed by cleaning, though they usually return. While an occasional cleaning might not harm your roof, repeated use of harsh chemicals, or the erosive effects of pressure washing, can damage or shorten the life of asphalt shingles.
How to prevent algae from growing on roof?
Take preventive action so that algae, moss or lichens don't regain control. Roofing experts note that the copper salts produced when rain washes over flashing prevents algae and other growth in the runoff areas. Add flashing strips at the ridgepole and other defined roof angles where runoff can keep the roof clean.
How to make a grease cutter?
Dilute trisodium phosphate with water in the bucket. Mix with bleach in the sprayer reservoir. If package directions aren't clear, professionals suggest the following: dilute 1 1/4 gallons water, 3/4 gallon sodium hypochlorite and 1/2 cup of trisodium phosphate in 2 cups of water in the bucket, then put it in a 2-gallon sprayer. Add a small amount of dishwashing liquid to the mixture to increase the mixture's grease-cutting capability.
Is it dangerous to clean a roof?
Wet surfaces present challenges at any level, but combined with roof height, sloping surfaces, and ladders, wet surfaces can be dangerous. Ask someone to be your helper, which will reduce your chances of an accident and prevent you from having to go up and down the ladder. Cleaning a roof is heavy work; a helper may assist you in maintaining your stamina during this long job.
Can you clean asphalt shingles?
Asphalt shingles provide secure, long-lasting roofing coverage. Basically care-free, asphalt roofing can be susceptible to staining from moss, mildew, algae and other moisture-related organisms. In addition to leaving unattractive dark stains, growth of moss or lichens can loosen the firm adhesion of shingle edges, creating potential areas of leakage. Both do-it-yourself experts and commercial cleaners recommend good planning and caution when taking on the job of cleaning an asphalt roof. Know the products and procedures involved to clean your roof safely.
What is the best way to clean a shingle roof?
Citrus Acid. A more eco-friendly cleaning solution for shingle roofs is a cleaning product that contains high levels of citrus acid. This will work much in the same way as bleach, although you will need to use a little more on the stain.
What is the best shingle cleaner?
Another great roof shingle cleaner is sodium hydroxide, or better known as lye. This chemical is commonly used in products like drain cleaner and oven cleaner. Sodium hydroxide must be used carefully in order to not damage the roof or be harmful to any surrounding plants.
How much does a roof shingle cleaner save?
20-30 . A good roof shingle cleaner can save you thousands of dollars in unwarranted replacement costs. Many times homeowners will believe that when there is a buildup of algae or green growth on the roof shingles, it is time to replace them.
Can you use a pressure washer to clean shingles?
Pressure Washer. Roof shingles may also be cleaned through the use of a pressure washer. Depending on the condition of the roof you may have to use lower pressure. However, the jet stream of the water can remove algae and dried on droppings.
How to speed up roof cleaning?
Pour in the concentrated cleaner. The special sprayer dilutes the cleaner as you spray, eliminating the need to continually pump and refill a traditional garden sprayer.
How to protect your roof from algae?
The second method is to spray on a coating of stain-blocking solution (Defy Stain Blocker for Roofs is one product, but there are other brands as well.) A stain-blocking product can buy you up to three years of protection from algae. If you decide to try it, apply it shortly after you’ve cleaned the roof.
What does a black streak on a roof look like?
The roof streaks look like mold, but they’re actually algae colonies that form in your shingles and feed on moisture and the limestone filler agents in the shingles.
Does bleach kill algae?
Bleach may kill the top layer of algae and lighten the stains, but it doesn’t kill the underlying algae. So the algae colony gets right back to work. Sodium hydroxide (lye) products, on the other hand, work better than bleach and are less harmful to vegetation.
Can you spray algae on shingles?
Check the weather forecast and choose a cool or overcast day with little to no wind so the spray hits your shingles, not the neighbors’. Those conditions allow the cleaning solution to soak deep into the algae colonies without evaporating too quickly.
Can you use a garden hose to clean a roof?
If you don’t, you’ll wind up with clean patches that were rinsed properly alongside dirty patches that you skipped over too quickly. For severely stained roofs, a garden nozzle won’t exert enough pressure to dislodge the stains. In that case, you’ll want to invest in a specialized rinsing tool (Photo 2; also see “Tools That Make the Job Easier”).
Can metallic strips be used on roofs?
Whether you install the metallic strips or apply the stain-blocking solutions, you’re still going to experience algae regrowth sometime down the road. Get back up on your roof and clean it early, so the stains don’t set in permanently.
