Cleaning off roof??

[noelle]

Okay...here's my problem. The Cape style home I currently live in has a problem with the roof facing the road. It doesn't get nearly as much sun as the back part of the roof and this green Lichen has grown on there. I've been advised by my Realtor (will be selling this spring and am currently looking at cottages in MA) to somehow remove this growth as it can be seen from the road. I purchased a mold remover and followed the directions..."some" of the Lichen came off...the rest really looks like it's almost sunk into the shingles. Has anyone else experienced this problem and successfully removed the growth?

[Chyna]

I think you have to scrub it too with a stiff bristle brush. I would give a roofer a call and ask them what they suggest. Maybe the stuff you bought isn't the best out there.;)

[Catsmeow]

I have succesfully removed lichen from an outdoor concrete bench. Lichen is a living organism that needs light to survive. If you cut off the light supply it will die in about 2 weeks and become much easier to remove. I covered the bench in black plastic then removed the plastic after 2 weeks and scrubbed it with a brush and Simple Green cleaner, so as not to kill my garden plants. Not sure how you can cover the lichen? Plastic or sand, or how about loose shingles the same color as your roof, so no one could tell you were covering it up?

[noelle]

Hi guys, thanks for the suggestions. I'm not sure I'd be able to cover the roof...it's almost the whole front section and I'm doing things w/out the help of anyone else...the brush idea is a good one, however I don't think I can reach all the areas. The pitch of the roof is so steep...I did get a broom out there this past weekend and some of it did come off. The rest of it looks like it needs a good whacking! I'll keep experimenting...thanks!

[Chyna]

How about just spraying it with bleach and water? Bet the neighbors think you've lost it with spraying your roof and all. Oh wait it is the in-laws, who cares what they think. hehehehe:)

[noelle]

Yeah, you know I hadn't even thought of the bleach and water...Went to Lowes and got this stuff you attach to your hose. Of course, it was a bit windy when I decided to get out there and ended up wearing 1/2 of it...was petrified I'd lose my sight or my skin! Did it as fast as possible and then jumped into the shower. That could have been one of the reasons why it only worked part way...also, it rained that evening, so it didn't have tons of time to sit and soak...might try another application before it gets too cold!
And as for the in-laws? Huh...don't even care what they think!!! I'm just trying to get the best $$ amount for my house!!! Then it's addios amigos!

[Chyna]

That could be the problem is that the rain washed most of it off, well the part that actually made it onto the roof that is. :) I wonder if you're going to have to do this again next spring when things start warming up too. You'll be the queen of lichen killers. :eek:

[noelle]

Actually, I should have tried it again yesterday, but it was so BEAUTIFUL out, a girlfriend and me drove all the way down to Provincetown...I "think" we may have a few nice days in us still...maybe I'll run down to the local Lowes and get one more bottle to try before the cold weather decends upon us!!!

[Chyna]

I'm torn on if I was happy that it rained all weekend or depressed. :rolleyes: We have 2 large fires in the area burning so the moisture was very welcome however I got nothing done outside. I still have roses to plant ( I did plant 3 in the rain over the weekend) and need to get my porch painted so we can refinish the floor (by we I mean me, myself and I along with my 4yr old supervisor) and then get it sealed up for the winter.

I'd get on it before the fall sets in or do you still have awhile there? I kind of figured that your weather patterns are pretty close to mine except yours are ocean driven and mine are mountain driven.

Maybe you should just spray the holy heck outta it every chance you get. And pray it doesn't show up when you put it on the market. ;)

[noelle]

Yeah...we're running out of time here...today (this morning) it's cold! I've got to get my butt in gear! I'd like to try at least one more time!

[Chyna]

If you can get your hands on the newest issue of This Old House they addressed this very problem. I immediately thought of you and couldn't wait to get in here and make my grand discovery known. :D

Maybe run down to the library or bookstore and take a look. Sounds pretty much like what you've been doing but they had another suggestion about a piece of metal that goes along the ridge (copper or some other type, can't remember the other one:rolleyes: ). Anyhow once you've got the algae gone you put this up there and when it rains the metal strips release ions that naturally curb/kill the algae. Nifty huh?:cool: