HOW TO PREVENT MOLD ON YOUR ROOF?

Mold spores are everywhere.   While you can’t stop mold spores from landing on your roof, there are things you can do to help prevent damaging mold growth on your roof. 

Preventative Measures to Stop Mold Growth

Because mold can prove to be so damaging to both your home and your health, it is preferable to take reasonable steps aimed at prevention rather than taking action only after mold has become a problem.

Mold needs moisture and organic matter to grow as well as the right temperature. While there is not much that you can do about the temperature, there are things you can do to reduce moisture levels and the availability of organic matter.

Keeping your Roof Free of Debris

Keeping your roof free of debris helps prevent mold in two ways.  First, it allows for clear drainage of water.  Second, it helps deprive mold of the organic matter that it needs in order to grow and thrive. 

If you allow leaves and other debris to build up on your roof then you are creating the perfect conditions for mold to grow including moisture, darkness, warmth, and organic matter.  Therefore, it is a good idea to keep your roof free of accumulating leaves and debris.

Guttering

Keeping your guttering clear of debris and flowing freely is a vital element in your home’s maintenance.  Ideally it is something that should be addressed at least twice a year.

If debris is allowed to build up in gutters, it can cause blockages that lead to standing water and a plentiful supply of organic matter that will serve to feed the growth of mold.  Clogged gutters can also attract pests and cause damage to your roof.  Moreover, malfunctioning guttering can result in water not being properly drained away from the foundation of your home (which, in turn, can lead to numerous structural issues that include the proliferation of mold).

Keep the area around your house clear

It is advisable to keep the area around your house free of overhanging tree limbs that can grow over the roof.  The leaves and twigs of overhanging limbs end up contributing to the accumulation of organic debris on you roof. 

Trimming back surrounding trees also allows more sunlight to get to your roof which, in turn, dries up moisture and helps to prevent mold, mildew, and algae from growing.

Check for Standing Water

Standing water can be a big problem (particularly if you have a flat roof). Standing water on your roof can lead to leaks which, in turn, can result in structural damage as well as mold infestations.  Therefore, if you notice standing water on any part of your roof, you should consider bringing in a professional to inspect the roof and to perform any necessary repairs.

Schedule Regular Roof Inspections

Being proactive and scheduling regular roof inspections is a key way to preventing mold as well as many other roofing issues.  It is a good idea to schedule your roof inspections at the same time that you are having your guttering inspected.  You may also wantYou could schedule these inspections to coincide with gutter maintenance.  You should also consider inspecting your roof after extreme weather events such as thunderstorms, high winds, or ice as these can cause damage to your roof which, if left unattended, can lead to mold as well as other issues.

Install Zinc or Copper Strips

Both copper and zinc strips act as a preventative measure against mold and algae as they contain minerals that inhibit mold growth. When rainwater washes over them these minerals wash down the roof and offer some degree of protection.

If you have suffered from mold in the past or live in an area that is susceptible to mold growth, it might be worth considering this as an option. You can also apply mold-inhibiting sprays or consider using shingles that have copper and zinc incorporated in them. 

Dealing with Mold on Your Roof

If you do discover mold on your roof, you should remove it as quickly as possible.  This can be done using good, old fashioned scrubbing or using special cleaning agents designed to be sprayed on exterior surfaces and simply left to dry.  Pure Air Solutions does not recommenced the use of pressure washers in cleaning either your roof or siding because they can force water into places where it is not intended to be (thereby contributing to structural damage and mold growth).

You should always be careful when using chemicals for cleaning. This includes wearing protective equipment as well as making sure you don’t use chemicals that will damage your roof or harm plants and other wildlife.

While roof cleaning can be done yourself it is usually advisable to get professional advice and assistance. Not only can cleaning a roof be dangerous, it is time-consuming.  Moreover, there is no point in cleaning a roof that actually needs replacing.  Furthermore, you don’t want to end up damaging your roof further in the process of trying to clean it.