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Cleaning asphalt shingles is an important part of protecting your roof. To stay safe, suit up in long sleeves, pants, and safety goggles. Fill your low-pressure agricultural sprayer with a specialized asphalt-cleaning agent. Spray it across the shingles you wish to clean, wait about 20 minutes, then rinse them with water.
Steps
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Protect yourself. To stay safe, wear slip-resistant shoes. Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes. Attach yourself to the chimney or another secure point using a safety rope, if necessary. Wear long sleeves and pants to avoid getting the cleaning agent on your skin. [1] X Research source
- Before venturing out onto the roof, let someone know you’ll be doing so. That way, if you suffer an accident or injury on the roof, they’ll be able to find you.
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Remove excess debris. Before using a cleaning agent to clean your asphalt shingles use a leaf blower or broom to sweep the shingles clean. Get rid of leaves, branches, and other debris that that may be on the shingles. This will make your efforts more effective and prevent you from dangerous situations like tripping on branches. [2] X Research source
- When using the leaf blower to clear debris, blow from the ridge toward the edge of the roof. This will prevent branches and other debris from lodging beneath the shingles’ edges. [3] X Research source
- There’s no need to wash the shingles before using the chemical cleaner.
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Clean the asphalt shingles on cloudy days. If you clean your roof on a day that is too hot or sunny, the cleaner will not have much time to work before it evaporates. Plus, it is easier to work outdoors on days that are less hot and humid. Therefore, clean asphalt shingles on cloudy days. [4] X Research source
- Additionally, don’t clean your asphalt tiles on days when the cleaning agent could freeze. In other words, only clean your asphalt shingles on days when the temperature will remain above 32 degrees Fahrenheit (zero degrees Celsius).
- Stay off the roof during very windy days. [5] X Research source
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Protect nearby plant life. Before you get started, place bags over shrubs or plants that might be sprayed indirectly as a result of your cleaning. This will protect them from the potentially lethal chemicals in the cleaning agent. [6] X Research source
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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. Whenever possible, choose a noncorrosive and environmentally friendly cleaning product. [7] X Research source
- Commonly used cleaning agents include Roof Shampoo and Shingle Roof Mold Cleaner OX.
- If you don’t want to buy a commercial cleaner, you can easily make your own by mixing equal amounts of laundry-strength chlorine bleach and water. [8] X Research source
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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. For more information regarding how to pour your cleaning agent into the spraying device, consult manufacturer directions. [9] X Research source
- Generally, you’ll need to unscrew the tops of the spraying device and the cleaning agent, fill the spraying device, then screw the tops of the cleaning agent and the spraying device back on.
- Don’t use a pressure washer to apply the cleaning agent. Doing so can damage your asphalt shingles. Use a low-pressure sprayer rated about 30 PSI. [10] X Research source
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Apply the cleaning agent to the roof. After clambering out onto your roof, spray the asphalt shingles you wish to clean. Generally, you’ll need to point the nozzle of the spraying device toward the shingle you wish to clean, then depress the handle. After applying the cleaning agent, allow it to work its magic for about 20 minutes. [11] X Research source
- The exact method by which you can spray the asphalt shingles varies slightly depending on the type of spraying device you’ve decided to use. Consult manufacturer directions for more information.
- The amount of cleaning agent you’ll need to use depends on the number and size of the asphalt shingles you wish to clean. Generally, the more shingles you want to clean, the more cleaning agent you’ll need.
- You can identify asphalt shingles that need to be cleaned by looking for black, green, or blue stains. This indicates the presence of algae or moss.
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Spray the roof with water. After about 20 minutes, spray the asphalt shingles with water from your garden hose. This will rinse away excess cleaning agent. If it’s more convenient, empty the low-pressure sprayer and fill it with water to rinse your asphalt shingles. [12] X Research source
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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 gentle back-and-forth scraping motion. Don’t use too much force, however, or you could loosen the mineral granule from the shingle. [13] X Research source
- If you’re having a hard time getting your asphalt shingles clean, let the roof dry, then spray it with the cleaning agent and rinse it with water again.
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Use algae-resistant shingles. Some asphalt shingles contain copper. Since copper is toxic to algae, this sort of asphalt shingle will naturally stay free of algae. This sort of shingle is especially preferable if you live in an area prone to algae growth. [14] X Research source
- Alternately, you could affix a strip of zinc or copper just below the ridge of your roof. The zinc or copper particles will trickle down the roof when it rains, inhibiting algae growth.
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Trim tree growth that hangs over the asphalt shingles. If your asphalt shingles are beneath tree cover, algae is more likely to grow. Trim back tree branches to let the sunlight naturally discourage the growth of algae. [15] X Research source
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Clear your roof of debris. Even when you aren’t preparing to clean your asphalt shingles, it’s a good idea to venture out onto your roof semi-regularly to keep it clear of branches, leaves, and other plant matter. Doing so will discourage algae and moss growth. [16] X Research source
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Community Q&A
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QuestionI have an old evap cooler on the roof to be removed, and it has a lot of calcium deposits below. What is the best and most effective cleaner to remove this calcium?Lina DaSilvaTop AnswererMix white vinegar with water in equal parts. Vinegar is a natural descaler, great for calcium deposits. Use a soft-bristle brush. Avoid hard brushes, as they can damage shingles. Gently apply the vinegar solution to the affected area. Let it sit for 15 or 20 minutes. This helps break down the calcium. Scrub the area with your soft brush. Work in sections, reapplying the solution as needed. Use a garden hose to rinse off the solution. Avoid high-pressure washers, as they can harm the shingles.
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QuestionShould I rinse off the cleaner soon after it is applied, or is it best to let rain wash it off over the next few days?Lina DaSilvaTop AnswererIt's best to rinse off the cleaner soon after applying it, rather than waiting for rain. Allowing the vinegar solution to sit for 15 or 20 minutes helps break down the calcium deposits, but leaving it on for days could possibly damage the shingles. After scrubbing gently, rinse thoroughly with a garden hose. This ensures that the acid in the vinegar doesn't linger and weaken the asphalt shingles. Quick rinsing helps maintain the integrity of your roof while effectively removing the deposits.
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Tips
- If the edges of your asphalt shingles are curling, or if they show cracks along their surface, it might be time to remove the old shingles and put in new ones.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.todayshomeowner.com/remove-prevent-algae-stains-asphalt-shingle/
- ↑ https://www.asphaltroofing.org/press-room/press-releases/algae-moss-prevention-and-cleaning-asphalt-roofing-systems
- ↑ https://www.asphaltroofing.org/press-room/press-releases/algae-moss-prevention-and-cleaning-asphalt-roofing-systems
- ↑ https://www.todayshomeowner.com/remove-prevent-algae-stains-asphalt-shingle/
- ↑ https://www.nachi.org/home-depot-clean-algae-off-asphalt.htm
- ↑ https://www.angieslist.com/articles/3-roof-cleaning-methods-ugly-stains.htm
- ↑ http://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/cleaning-services/clean-a-roof/
- ↑ https://www.asphaltroofing.org/press-room/press-releases/algae-moss-prevention-and-cleaning-asphalt-roofing-systems
- ↑ https://www.asphaltroofing.org/press-room/press-releases/algae-moss-prevention-and-cleaning-asphalt-roofing-systems
- ↑ http://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/cleaning-services/clean-a-roof/
- ↑ https://www.todayshomeowner.com/remove-prevent-algae-stains-asphalt-shingle/
- ↑ https://www.nachi.org/home-depot-clean-algae-off-asphalt.htm
- ↑ https://www.nachi.org/home-depot-clean-algae-off-asphalt.htm
- ↑ https://www.todayshomeowner.com/remove-prevent-algae-stains-asphalt-shingle/
- ↑ https://www.asphaltroofing.org/press-room/press-releases/algae-moss-prevention-and-cleaning-asphalt-roofing-systems
- ↑ https://www.nachi.org/home-depot-clean-algae-off-asphalt.htm
About This Article
Article Summary
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To clean asphalt shingles, start by filling a garden sprayer with your chosen cleaning solution, such as Roof Shampoo. If you'd rather make your own, combine equal amounts of laundry bleach and water. Then, when you're on the roof, spray the cleaner on the asphalt shingles and let it sit for 20 minutes before removing it with water from your hose. To get rid of any remaining moss, scrub the area with a medium-stiff bristled brush, but take care not to scrub too hard as this could dislodge your asphalt shingles. For safety tips when cleaning your roof, including what to wear and how to guard against falling, read on!
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