Cleaning Mildew from roof shingles ???

[James Nipper]

My roof shingles are about five years old. They have black stains on them,
and I am pretty sure that it is mildew.

What is the best way to clean them ? Would light pressure-washing be a
good idea ? My painter recommends this, but I am fearful that it will
damage the shingles.

Is there a better approach, and a recommended solvent or other liquid that
would be better than pressure washing ?

Thanks for any helpful advice !!

--James--

[William W. Plummer]

James Nipper wrote:
>
> My roof shingles are about five years old. They have black stains on them,
> and I am pretty sure that it is mildew.
>
> What is the best way to clean them ? Would light pressure-washing be a
> good idea ? My painter recommends this, but I am fearful that it will
> damage the shingles.
>
> Is there a better approach, and a recommended solvent or other liquid that
> would be better than pressure washing ?
>
> Thanks for any helpful advice !!
>
> --James--
>
Note: You can no longer have just simple "mildew". Now, it is mold,
and in fact TOXIC MOLD. You must use the word "toxic".

[Bert]

A widley-used test by painters to determine mildew from dirt is to
apply a few drops of bleach to the stain, mildew will be removed but
dirt will remain

Bert

[thestaffords@earthlink.net]

http://www.sprayandforget.com/products1.asp

[Phisherman]

Bleach will work, but the stains will return in a few months. Your
better off in the long run, not doing anything to your roof. When it
comes time to replace the roof, consider mold-mildew resistant
shingles or install zinc strips near the peak.

On Wed, 19 Jan 2005 18:55:37 -0500, "James Nipper"
<jnipper@nospam.fdn.com> wrote:

>
>
>My roof shingles are about five years old. They have black stains on them,
>and I am pretty sure that it is mildew.
>
>What is the best way to clean them ? Would light pressure-washing be a
>good idea ? My painter recommends this, but I am fearful that it will
>damage the shingles.
>
>Is there a better approach, and a recommended solvent or other liquid that
>would be better than pressure washing ?
>
>Thanks for any helpful advice !!
>
>--James--

[tbasc@bellsouth.net]

A strip of zinc at the ridge will do away with most mildew.
The condition you describe is common in the Charleston SC area.
One can see areas free of the discoloration down slope from metal roof
accessories.
Zinc strips for incorporation in shingle roofs are available.
TB

[John Weiss]

<tbasc@bellsouth.net> wrote...
>A strip of zinc at the ridge will do away with most mildew.
> The condition you describe is common in the Charleston SC area.
> One can see areas free of the discoloration down slope from metal roof
> accessories.
> Zinc strips for incorporation in shingle roofs are available.

Mildew?!?

I thought zinc was for moss... How does mildew grow where there is free airflow
and sunlight?

[DOUGLAS]

"William W. Plummer" <William.Plummer-NO-SPAM-@alum.mit.edu> wrote in
message news:A6idnaz7KNkFkXLcRVn-tA@comcast.com...
> James Nipper wrote:
>>
>> My roof shingles are about five years old. They have black stains on
>> them,
>> and I am pretty sure that it is mildew.
>>
>> What is the best way to clean them ? Would light pressure-washing be a
>> good idea ? My painter recommends this, but I am fearful that it will
>> damage the shingles.
>>
>> Is there a better approach, and a recommended solvent or other liquid
>> that
>> would be better than pressure washing ?
>>
>> Thanks for any helpful advice !!
>>
>> --James--
>>
> Note: You can no longer have just simple "mildew". Now, it is mold, and
> in fact TOXIC MOLD. You must use the word "toxic".

Yep, and the sky is falling too!!!

In any event, how would you know that the species of mold or mildew that he
has is toxic?
There are hundreds of species - most of them not toxic.

Doug