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South Tampa Tile Roof Cleaned 5-22-2022

Here is a South Tampa Tile Roof cleaned last month inthe 33602 Zip Code. These old South Tampa tile roofs sometimes take 2 or even 3 coats of the expensive tile roof cleaning chemicals, but if that is what it takes to make the tile roof of this customer look like new, then that is what it takes! Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa was not hired because we are the lowest priced tile roof cleaning service in South Tampa. We were hired because we are the very best, most experienced roof cleaning company.

This customer had his tile roof washed previously by some company he found in a Google Search, who said they “specialized” in “all aspects” of Exterior Cleaning. He was not happy with the previous roof cleaning service, so this time, he asked his Tampa Roofing Contractor who he should hire, and we were suggested to him by his Roofer. He told us about how these so called “Exterior Cleaning Experts” he found in a Google Search for “Roof Cleaning Tampa” did a terrible job cleaning his tile roof! This customer is a Doctor who works at Tampa General Hospital. He took off work that day to watch these inexperienced people clean his tile roof. Even though it was not completely cleaned, they demanded full payment from him. He was told “All of our tile roof cleanings do not look their best until it has rained 3 or 4 times” By lying to him, this roof cleaning service he found on Google were able to not only get paid in full, but also were spared the considerable expense of another coat or two of the expensive roof cleaning chemicals! Then, to add insult to injury, when he called these roof cleaners back after 3 or 4 rains, because his tile roof was still not clean, this is what they told him. He was told that they were only sub contractors, hired by the people he found in the Google Search for Tile Roof Cleaning In Tampa! These roof cleaning sub contractors asked him how much he paid, and he said “1,500.00” The roof cleaning subcontractors said they were only paid 500.00 By Tampa Roof Cleaning, and because of that, they could not afford to give his tile roof the necessary 2 or 3 coats of the expensive tile roof cleaning chemicals! The Doctor told us he felt so stupid, because Tampa Roof Cleaning was number one in his Google Search for “Roof Cleaning In Tampa”. He told us he THOUGHT he was dealing with a real tile roof cleaning company, but later found out that this Tampa Roof Cleaning outfit was nothing more than a middleman who got the money and the job from him, then hired another outfit to actually clean the roof!
BEWARE !

roofcleaningtampa.wordpress.com-2022-06-19-17_47_46-anafouluflpdid92fliciv7d89iljfe5

When you hire Apple Roof Cleaning, you are dealing with the best, and most experienced tile roof cleaning company in Tampa. Unlike other roof cleaning services found in a Google Search, when you call us, the people you talk with are the people who are going to actually clean your tile roof! No Middlemen or Sub Contractors here!

When you call Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa, your call will be returned by my Son James Tucker, the owner. Jamie, my Son, is 42 now, and has been cleaning tile and shingle roofs since he was 16! Together, my Son and I have cleaned well over 25,000 roofs in the greater Tampa Bay Area. Because of my Health, I am no longer able to clean roofs, so I turned Apple Roof Cleaning over to my Son. Jamie will take care of all of your roof cleaning needs, now and in the future.

Call us at 813 655 8777 for a free consultation, and to get an idea of your roof cleaning cost

Repeat Tile Roof Cleaning North Tampa Florida

Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa cleaned this customer’s Tile Roof about 6 years ago. He lives up in Tampa Palms in the 33647 Zip Code, and they are deed restricted in there. If his HOA was not so Anal, he could have got a few more years out of his Tile Roof Cleaning, but they want everything Spic and Span, in his section of Tampa Palms! This family is a real pleasure to clean for. She is a Nurse at Tampa General, actually she is a Nurse Practitioner ! And he is an Architect with a well known Tampa area firm. We joke about that building in Downtown Tampa known as “The Beer Can”. He really is a great guy, and a fellow Tampa Bay Buc’s fan, who loves to talk about Football! Everyone here at Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa are big time Tampa Bay Buccaneer Fans, who used to be season ticket holders, until they forced you to buy 2 years of Seats, instead of just one. I guess they are trying to get as much out of Tom Brady before he retires, as they can ? But this will surely be his last year, because he has a 375 million dollar contract with Fox Sports waiting for him!

Tile Roof In North Tampa Before And After Cleaning!
Chamber Of Commerce Small Business Of The Year 2002 !

This Tile Roof cleaned right up, just like it did the first time we cleaned it. These customers should be good to go for another 6 years, and our Invoice for the Tile Roof Cleaning got the Tampa Palms Homeowners Association off their back.

If you are thinking about getting your tile roof cleaned, and want to get an idea of your roof cleaning cost, call Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa at 813-655-8777. Most of the time, we can provide a free estimate by telephone w/o actually coming out to see the roof.

What Are Those Black Stains On Your Roof ?


Black Stains and streaks on your roof are a form of algae commonly known as Gloeocapsa Magma. Once attached to the roof, this fungus feeds on the dead organic matter of the asphalt shingle or tile. As the fungus breaks down the asphalt shingle, the ceramic granules protecting the surface of the shingle are loosened and begin to fall off. This causes the roof to deteriorate prematurely and diminishes the roof’s abilities to reflect heat rays. If not treated, the Black Stains will reduce the life of your roof, diminish your home’s curb appeal and increase your home cooling expenses. Black Stained roofs are unsightly and make homes look prematurely old. This appearance can reduce property values, which should be a concern to anyone wanting to sell a home. Tile and asphalt shingle roofs are restored to their natural color with the use of our custom blend of chemicals. Our roof cleaning system is deep yet gentle to the roof surface and guaranteed safe not to harm the integrity of the roof.  The roof cleaning system is required for removing the resin of the dead algae, and is followed by our treatment.

Contributing Factors



Black Stains requires three things to grow: heat, moisture, and a nutrient. Nutrients can be found within the shingle themselves while other variables contribute to and hasten fungus growth. The north side of the roof is usually first to exhibit staining here in the Tampa area because moisture is there longer. Add to that, the type, grade and manufacturer of the shingle, the age of the roof, the close proximity of trees, pool, or lake, how hot and humid the weather is here in the Tampa area, and if there are any leaves accumulating on the roof. Now you have most of the answers to the question why your roof has black streaks.

Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa 813-655-8777 does it safely!
Roof Cleaning Training

A big misconception is that the only way to clean a black stained roof is to use high pressure. This is the worst way to clean any type of roof. This can cause damage to the asphalt shingle or tile.  High pressure removes the ceramic granules from the asphalt shingles and damages clay tile.

Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa does it differently!

Our roof cleaning company is in compliance with the Asphalt Roofing manufacture guidelines. Our first step is to give you a thorough detailed roof inspection.  We then apply a custom blend of chemicals specifically made by our company. We also have a custom blend of chemicals designed for clay tile roofs.  Standard Cleaning of gutters, chimneys and facia of the roof edges are included to insure the finished appeal and longevity to your roof at no extra charge for the consumer. 

Ways To Save Your Money!
Those ugly BLACK STAINS  on your roof are STEALING YOUR MONEY !
HIGHER UNDER ROOF TEMPERATURES – Increase air conditioning cost.
HEAVIER AIR CONDITIONER USE – Shortens your air conditioners life.
UNSIGHTLY APPEARNCE – Decreases property value of the home possibly by thousands of dollars! Avoid the wrath of your homeowners association.
SHORTENED ROOF LIFE – Because of the increased granule loss from thermal expansions/contractions.


UNHEALTHY FUNGUS SPORES AND MOLD – Can be tracked into your home; especially unhealthy for those suffering from colds and allergies.

SAVE YOUR MONEY!
Preserve your investment with work performed by experienced, trained technicians who adhere to standards of quality and customer satisfaction. All jobs completed in a first-class professional on time, workmanlike manner, priced as quoted.

Guaranteed safe not to harm the integrity of the roof.
REDUCED UNDER-ROOF TEMPERATURES
Reduction as much as 31%
LESS AIR CONDITIONING RUN TIMES
It’s our goal to save you money by cutting back A/C running time as much as possible.
SAFER AND CLEANER LIVING AREAS
No more unhealthy fungus spores and mold tracked into your home
EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR ROOF!
If you do nothing about the Black Stains, your 25-year roof will most likely last less than 15 years and your home will remain an unhealthy eyesore or expense of roof replacement. It is our experience that most roofs under 10-15 years can be cleaned of all Black Stains, and will look like new again!

If you want a free estimate to get an exact roof cleaning cost, simply call Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa 813-655-8777. We can give you an immediate no obligation roof cleaning cost analysis, all by telephone!

Can You Pressure Wash A Shingle Roof ?

We often are asked “Can you pressure wash a shingle roof” ? The answer is yes, if you don’t care about ruining your shingle roof! Another question we get asked is “If I pressure wash a shingle roof, will it be clean” ? The answer is Yes, and 1/2 of it will be on the ground!

Dirty Shingle Roof in Tampa
Tampa Shingle Roof Cleaned Properly

So, if pressure washing will ruin a shingle roof, why do some roof cleaning companies in Tampa still use this method to wash a roof. The answer is ignorance and/or greed! Let us say a shingle roof cleaning costs 500.00. If we were to use a pressure washer to clean your roof, we could keep every dime of that 500.00 Roof Cleaning Chemicals are not cheap, and like everything lately, their prices have gone up considerably! WE only clean roofs chemically, w/o the use of any pressure at all! Though it costs us more than if we were to use a pressure washer, it is the right way to clean a roof.

Your shingle roof is basically a piece of either asphalt or fiberglass, that has ceramic granules glued to it. Some shingle roofs are what are called algae resistant. They use the 3M Algae Block System that has copper granules mixed in with the ceramic granules to help prevent the dreaded roof algae. The idea is, every time it rains, the water washes the copper sulfate released by these granules. Copper Sulfate is a natural algaecide, and it does help to keep the roof clean. However, here in the Tampa Florida area, the heat and humidity overwhelms even these algae resistant shingles, and as the result, the roofs get dirty despite the 3M Algae Block system! We clean so called “algae resistant” shingle roofs every week, so we know!

Never ever allow any roof cleaning company to use a pressure washer to clean your shingle roof, under any circumstances! Call Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa if you want your shingle roof cleaned the right way, at 813 655 8777

Asphalt Shingle Roof Cleaning Tampa

Asphalt Shingle Roof in North Tampa Before Cleaning
Asphalt Shingle Roof in North Tampa 33647 after we cleaned it

We do quite a lot of Asphalt Shingle Roof Cleaning in the Tampa Florida area. This customer was up in Tampa Palms in the 33647 Zip Code. Usually the Tampa Palms Homeowners Association will not let an asphalt shingle roof get this dirty, but it does not matter to us how dirty a roof is! As long as the roof was never improperly cleaned, we can usually make it look almost brand new again. In fact, several of the neighbors were so impressed by our work, they asked us for a business card! They plan to use us, when the time comes for them to clean their roofs.

This customer just bought this home, and moved here from Indiana. We were talking about those great Pork Cutlet Sandwiches, and that awesome Skyline Chili they have up there! He is a Notre Dame Football Fan, and I have been to South Bend Indiana to watch them play Michigan one year. We referred him to a good pressure washing company, because as you can see, his sidewalks looked terrible. We are a roof cleaning company, and we do not even own, or want to own a pressure washing machine! Back in the early days of our company, we used to have pressure washing machines on our trucks, but found that they scared our customers! Several times we heard “You guys do not plan on using that pressure washing machine on our asphalt shingle roof, do you” ? So we removed the pressure washers from our trucks. A Pressure Washing Machine has no place in a roof cleaning company. They ruin peoples roofs! If you have any type of roof that needs cleaned, call us at 813 655 8777 to get an idea of your roof cleaning cost.

Tampa Barrel Tile Roof Cleaned

This is a Barrel Tile roof we recently cleaned, that is located here in the Tampa area. We cleaned the tile roof next door to this customer, and when he saw how good his roof could look, he gave us a call.

This Barrel Tile roof was not filthy, like some we clean, but this customer, and his neighbor live in what is called a deed restricted subdivision who will send out a roof cleaning letter if the roofs are not spotless. LOL, this particular homeowners association are known as one of the worst property managers in the entire Tampa Florida area!

Everyone here at Apple Roof Cleaning are animal lovers, and this customer had the cutest pair of Pugs, who somehow kept getting out, during this Barrel tile roof cleaning. Of course, protecting any Animal from getting the roof cleaning chemicals on them is always Job One. It seems our customers actually breed Pugs, and they have a breeding pair. Their Puppies start at 2500.00, because both Dogs are AKC Champions! LOL, yes, they are Champions all right, Champions at getting outside, when we are trying to clean their barrel tile roof!

We are big time Tampa Bay Buc’s Fans, and so is this customer! They are Season Ticket Holders like us, and we talked for a long time about the loss of Tom Brady! Well, we tried to talk, because a couple of very loveable little Dogs would not stop licking us!

We really enjoyed doing this job, and feel we made a new friend! We Love what we do, and in a humble way, we are very good at it too. So, if you would like to see what your Barrel Tile Roof Cleaning Cost would be, feel free to call us at 813-655-8777 for your free, no obligation estimate!

Repeat Tile Roof Cleaning in Tampa Florida

We cleaned the tile roof of this home nearly 5 years ago. Our customer got a promotion requiring a move away from the Tampa Florida area, but still in Florida. He wanted to put his home for sale, and is asking top dollar for it, so he wanted to get his tile roof cleaned again, so everything was perfect. Homes here in the Tampa Florida are selling for an all time high, but to get top dollar requires a home that shows and photographs well, and that simply is not possible with a dirty roof! As you can see by the before the tile roof cleaning picture, this roof had got quite dirty since we last cleaned it, almost 5 years ago. Now, the tile roof looks almost brand new!

Tile Roof In Tampa Cleaned

If you are considering having your shingle, metal, or tile roof cleaned safely, we offer free estimates. 90% of the time, we can give you your roof cleaning cost by telephone, w/o having to actually come out and see the roof. Unlike some of our so called “Competitors” we are a real roof cleaning company. In fact, 90% of our business is cleaning roofs only! We are full time roof cleaners, not painters in between jobs, yard guys who have no grass to cut, or Pressure Washing Companies who clean a roof, every now and then. Many of these inexperienced people will tell you they need to see the roof, before they give you an estimate. What they are really doing is hoping you will wait for them to come to your home, so they can see IF they can even clean your roof at all! Call Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa at 813 655 877 for your free estimate.

Safe Roof Cleaning Riverview Florida

If you are looking for Roof Cleaning Riverview Florida, please read this, and watch our roof cleaning video. Riverview is a special place in Hillsborough County Florida, because it is our home! LOL, we moved our family to Riverview, before all the traffic! Even with the traffic, this is a great place to live, in our opinion.

Many communities here in the Riverview Florida area are deed restricted, including the one we live in. They require you to have a clean roof, and if your roof gets dirty, they will send you a nasty letter, ordering you to clean it. One reason the HOA will make you clean your roof is this. Just like you would not send a sick child to school, because the sick child can spread his illness, a dirty roof can and will cause your neighbors roof to get dirty sooner. This is because those black streaks on the roof are not dirt, nor are they debris from the TECO Smokestacks, in Apollo Beach! The black streaks you see on your roof are a type of Algae, that spreads itself by microscopic airborne spores that are blown by the wind, from roof to roof. Those smokestacks south of us are another story, but suffice to say that they DO effect the cleaning of some of the roofs down in Apollo Beach! But we are far enough away here in Riverview, that they are not the problem we run into when cleaning roofs in Apollo Beach.

Here is a video we put together showing a very small percentage of the over 18,000 shingle and tile roofs we have safely cleaned. LOL, we clean roofs a lot better than we make videos, but we think after watching this video, you will get the idea that we know what we are doing, and are very good at it

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=954793044551671

If you live in the Riverview Florida area, and are looking for the best roof cleaning company you can find to safely clean your roof w/o using any pressure, give is a call at 813-655-8777. Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa | 25 + Years In Business | 18,000 + Shingle and Tile Roofs Safely Cleaned !

ALL ABOUT ROOF CLEANING

ALL ABOUT ROOF CLEANING

by Dr. Victor H. Morgenroth
Dr. Morgenroth is a Keys Gate Florida resident who is a semi-retired, adjunct professor of neurology at UM. He was a principal administrator in the Environment Health and Safety Division of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for 20 years; prior to that I was a Group Leader in the Toxicology Division at the Center for Food Safety and Nutrition in the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Previously, he was on the faculty of several medical schools in neurology, pharmacology and psychiatry.

Having your roof cleaned can actually can be beneficial, view the article at Roofing Marketing Pro and understand the reasons. I know most of us were slightly put out by receiving a roof cleaning notice from the Keys Gate Homeowners Association. Although it read a little like an ultimatum and you probably wondered who the inspector of your roof was and what their qualifications were, it turns out that roof cleaning in Florida is not a bad idea at all.

It isn’t just aesthetics. While people like to say that dirty roofs lower a property’s value and may make it hard to sell, the “dirt” on a roof actually shortens its life span and can even present a health hazard. Furthermore, the “dark stains” on a roof act as a sponge to absorb the sun’s heat, which causes a rise in the temperature inside a home or building creating higher air conditioning bills. That’s why it’s important to get your roof clean or maybe even a roofing repair so you don’t have any of these issues in your home.

According to the ARMA the dirt isn’t just dust – It’s alive. The roof cleaner says that some of the black or very dark roof stains are caused by a resilient type of algae, Gloeocapsa magma (a type of blue-green algae commonly found in climates like Tampa with warm, humid summers). The algae grow in standing water, as well as in our lakes and ponds. The algal spores are carried to our roofs from the water sources by the wind and birds, and then from roof to roof where it grows and feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles and the real dirt on tile roofs maybe in some cases the tiles themselves. Worse still, as the algae grow, they retain water and foster the growth of other roof inhabitants.

The black stains are also very likely to harbor a number of molds or fungi. Unlike algae the fungi on our roofs lacks chlorophyll. They are unable to manufacture food from raw materials. So, it must get nutrition from some form of organic matter. To thrive, these heterotrophs, who used to be called saprophytes, also require a warm, humid environment, like we have here in Tampa Florida.

Fungi normally begin their life cycle as an airborne spore that settles on Florida roofs, especially the asphalt-shingle ones. The spores on the northern exposure of the roof stand a better chance of survival because that portion of the roof is the last part to dry after a rain or morning dew. This raises the humidity on the surface of the shingle, thus creating a perfect feeding and breeding ground.

The tar used in roofing is fossilized, dead organic matter — and an important food source for fungi. Asphalt, at the granule base, is normally consumed first. Once these granules dislodge, accelerated deterioration will occur. Ceramic granules represent the outer hard shell that protects against hail and other falling debris. Ceramic granules protect against damaging UV radiation and insulate the roof against extreme Tampa Florida area heat. So you can understand that their dislodgement by the growing fungal colonies can be detrimental to our roofs’ longevity. Surprisingly, the blue-green algae are also food for the fungi.

While not all mold (fungi) and algae pose a health danger, some are harmful, especially for us older folks, younger children and people who suffer from asthma, COPD, and other respiratory problems. Their spores, which are on your roof, can get inside your home because they end up on the driveway and walkways from rain, and are easily tracked inside. They can even be drawn into our air conditioning systems and eventually populate our ducts.

Different mold species can have varying health effects, but it is important to remember that any excessive mold growth needs to be taken care of, regardless of the species. Any excessive mold growth can lead to increased allergies, toxicity, and house/building structural problems.

For those interested, this box describes some of the most common fungi likely to be found on our roofs and their possible health effects. While “sick building syndrome” has been talked about frequently in the Tampa media, it isn’t always reported that this syndrome is often caused by faulty or leaking roof assemblies that result in fungal infestations. It isn’t, as reported, always due to chemicals in carpeting.

Don’t Panic!

Most of us have immune systems that are fully capable of resisting the effects of fungi described below. As a result it would be highly unlikely for any of us to suffer any of the ill effects described. But if fungal colonies are allowed to persist and multiply then the high concentrations of the molds and their volatile organic chemical metabolites might be sufficient to increase the risks from our exposure to them.

Stachybotrys chartarum (atra) molds can thrive on water damaged, cellulose-rich material in buildings such as sheet rock, paper, ceiling tiles, insulation backing, wallpaper, etc. In the majority of cases where Stachybotrys is found indoors in Tampa, water damage has gone unnoticed or ignored since it requires extended periods of time with increased levels of moisture for growth to occur. Stachybotrys is usually black and slimy in appearance. Events of water intrusion that are not addressed quickly tends to support the growth of more xerophilic fungi such as Pencillium and Aspergillus.

Stachybotrys is another fungi we see in Tampa that has the ability to produce mycotoxins, ones that are toxic and can be immunosuppressive. Exposure to these mycotoxins can result through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal exposure. Symptoms of exposure include dermatitis, cough, rhinitis, nose bleeds, cold and flu-like symptoms, headache, general malaise, and fever.

The Cladosporium genera of mold seen here in Tampa are pigmented dark green to black in the front, and black on the reverse with a velvety to powdery texture. One of the most commonly isolated from indoor and outdoor air, Cladosporium spp. are found on decaying plants, woody plants, food, straw, soil, paint textiles, and the surface of fiberglass duct liner in the interior of supply ducts.

There are over 30 species in the Cladosporium genus. The most common are C. elatum, C. herbarum, C. sphaerospermum, and C. cladosporioides. These fungi are the causative agents of skin lesions, keratitis, nail fungus, sinusitis, asthma, and pulmonary infections. Acute symptoms of exposure to Cladosporium are edema and bronchiospasm, and chronic exposure may lead to pulmonary emphysema.

Aspergillus is the most common genus of fungi in our Tampa environment (it especially likes to grow on corn plants) with more than 160 different species of mold. Sixteen of these species have been documented as causing human disease. Aspergillosis is now the 2nd most common fungal infection requiring hospitalization in the United States.

Aspergillus fumigatus. The most encountered species causing infection. It is seen abundantly in decomposing organic material, such as self-heating compost piles, since it readily grows at temperatures up to 55 C. People who handle contaminated material often develop hypersensitivity to the spores of Aspergillus and may suffer severe allergic reactions upon exposure.

Aspergillus flavus. The 2nd most encountered fungi in cases of Aspergillus infection. It is also known to produce the mycotoxin aflatoxin, one of the most potent carcinogens known to man. In the 1960s, 100,000 turkey poults in Great Britain died from ingesting contaminated feed. Most countries have established levels for aflatoxin in food. However, the risks associated with airborne exposure are not adequately studied and no exposure standards exist.

Aspergillus niger. The 3rd most common Aspergillus fungi associated with disease and the most common of any Aspergillus species in nature due to its ability to grow on a wide variety of substrates. This species may cause a “fungal ball”, which is a condition where the fungus actively proliferates in the human lung, forming a ball. It does so without invading the lung tissue.

Fusarium spp.,common soil fungus and inhabitant on a wide array of plants, this fungi is often found in humidifiers and has been isolated from water-damaged carpets and a variety of other building materials. Human exposure may occur through ingestion of contaminated grains and possibly through the inhalation of spores. Fusarium spp. is frequently involved with eye, skin, and nail infections.

Several species can produce the trichothecene toxins which target the circulatory, alimentary, skin, and nervous systems. Vomitoxin is one such tricothecene mycotoxin that has been associated with outbreaks of acute gastrointestinal illness in humans. Zearalenone is another mycotoxin produced by Fusarium. It is similar in structure to the female sex hormone estrogen and targets the reproductive organs.

Penicillium fungi are commonly found in soil, food, cellulose, grains, paint, carpet, wallpaper, interior fiberglass duct insulation, and decaying vegetation. Penicillium may cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis, asthma, and allergic alveolitis in susceptible individuals.

The genus Penicillium has several species. The most common ones include Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium janthinellum, Penicillium marneffei, and Penicillium purpurogenum.

These fungi have been isolated from patients with keratitis, ear infections, pneumonia, endocarditis, peritonitis, and urinary tract infections. Penicillium infections are most commonly exhibited in immunosuppressed individuals.

In conclusion, during the digestion of substrates, fungi secrete enzymes into nutrients in order to break down complex compounds into simpler compounds that can be taken up by the roof fungi and used as nutrition. These digested nutrients produce secondary metabolic byproducts called mycotoxins that are released to give the fungi a competitive edge over other microorganisms and fungi. Unfortunately, mycotoxins found on roofs can also be toxic to humans causing a variety of responses including cold/flu-like symptoms, sore throats, headaches, nose bleeds, fatigue, diarrhea, dermatitis, and immune suppression. Some mycotoxins may also be carcinogenic and teratogenic. Roof Molds that have been known to potentially produce these toxins are Acremonium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys.

Even though these roof molds may potentially produce mycotoxins, they will not do so unless specific environmental conditions exist. Currently, it is unknown exactly what conditions promote the growth of mycotoxin production and more scientific research needs to be conducted on this topic for it to be fully understood.

Reviewing some approaches to roof cleaning: the good, bad and really bad.

From here on I’ll use mold to describe the lively residents of our roofs. Most of us have had some experience with cleaning (removing) mold (mildew from some where in or on our houses. Often we just use chlorine or oxygen-based bleach products and they work. But out of doors and with the resistance of the mold infestations, bleach alone might not be sufficient. Mixtures of bleach and trisodium phosphate (a product used in many detergent mixtures in the past) are sometimes recommended. However,

Bleach mixtures can injure sensitive plants. Because it is difficult to totally protect them from the mix, spray them down with clean water before applying the mix and immediately after, whether you cover them or not!
Though power washing was recommended for years, the roof cleaning industry has moved towards very low-pressure cleaning because high-pressure power washing causes permanent damage to asphalt shingles and even tiles in certain circumstances.
High-pressure washing is also not recommended for those of us with tile roofs. The high-pressure can aerosolize mold spores and just like the wind and birds it can carry the spores to our neighbor clean roofs and re-infect them. [We should also suggest to Homeowners Associations that they send out their roof cleaning notices in a more systematic manner to limit re-infestation from molds mobilized during cleaning from one roof to another. It is unfortunate that their “inspectors were not sufficiently knowledgeable about what they were inspecting to have not recognized this in the beginning.]
Roof Algae happen to be phosphate-loving and will flourish if not completely killed by the bleach.
Long term exposure to bleach can damage most any surface, and your roof is no exception.
There are some other concerns regarding the use of chlorine-based products on asphalt roofs. Household bleach can damage asphalt due to its high sodium content. Apparently, the sodium causes an electrochemical reaction that reduces the elasticity of the asphalt leading to stiffness, brittleness and curling of the shingles.

Some alternatives to bleach such as lye are not recommended for roof cleaning either. A chemical alternative to bleach uses the antifungal agent sodium hydroxide… also known as lye. Lye-based products appeared on the market a few years ago, but turned out to be even more dangerous to use than bleach! Even at low concentrations, permanent damage can be done to the roofing, possibly even dissolving the roofing nails! Fortunately, most lye-based products have been removed from the market.

Spray and Forget is a new product that offers a long-term solution to mold problems . It is sprayed on and allowed to dry without rinsing. Though it is slow-acting when compared to bleach solutions, it can prevent mildew growth for years! The makers suggest that if you want to see quick results, you can do a one-shot bleach cleaning, but for me patience is better, I don’t like the use of bleach for the reasons mentioned above and its possible effect on plants. Even covering them and rinses afterwards don’t always help. Rinse thoroughly, allow to dry and then apply Spray and Forget according to the instructions.

Moss Out! comes in a number of formulations, one specifically for roofs and others designed to remove and/or inhibit moss and fungus growth on siding, masonry surfaces and even lawns. That’s why we prefer to get residential siding installed right so they are much easier to clean.

If you wish to prevent re infestation of the roof mold, there are a few options. Zinc strips have been used for many years as an algae preventative. Zinc strips can be attached near the peak of the roof so that when it rains, a slight amount of zinc dissolves from the strips and coats the roof, inhibiting algae and fungus growth.

Other companies offer long-term protection against the return of mildew once the cleaning is done . Unlike the other products mentioned on this page, Anti-Growth can even be used for interior applications.

3M have even developed an additive for asphalt roofing services shingles using copper granules. This unique advance in shingle technology gives long-term fungus protection for the entire roof. They call it the Algae Block system. You can find more information on these special roofing shingles at HUhttp://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/IMPD/Roofing-Solutions/?WT.mc_id=www.3m.com/algaeblockUH .

In closing, you can buy roof cleaning products and “do it yourself” or you can hire a roofing contractor to do it for you. But I hope this review can help provide you with some information that will be of use to you in your efforts to get a clean roof report with damaging not only the things you are trying to get clean, but also help protect your health and the home you live in.

Roof Cleaning Recommendations

What you should know about cleaning your roof.
DON’T REPLACE IT..CLEAN IT!!

Dirty Roof Vs Clean Roof!
No beginners here! Only fully trained and certified roof cleaners!

Your house is most likely your biggest investment. According to a roofing contractor, your roof is one of the most expensive parts of your house, so if it gets damage it could become a serious problem. If it happens contact the roof replacement service to handle the problem. It is extremely important to have the utmost in confidence in your decision before hiring a qualified residential roofing contractor. According to a commercial roofing contractor, getting roof repair is an essential part of preventing water damage. Looking for a Chesapeake siding and roofing company?

Certified Roof Cleaning Institute of America contractors only use chemicals approved by the ARMA* Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association and do not use any pressure washing on your shingles, if some depp cleaning sounds interesting for your home we invite you can find out more here. RCIA roof cleaning contractors also provide our customers with technical bulletins directly from Asphaltroofing.org and shingle manufacturers to prove that our procedures and chemicals are properly formulated for roof cleaning, they even do roof repair if need it. Our chemicals provide enough cleaning power to remove all mold, mildew, and streaks…without any pressure washing or heavy rinsing.

We 100% guarantee your roof will look brand new!

Pressure washing is never recommended because it will remove a large amount of the ceramic coated granules from your shingles, which will void the warranty. Even low pressure will cause granule loss and shorten the life of your shingles; if this happens you will need to hire the best roof repair company to fix the damage. If you have ever cleaned out the inside of your gutters you will notice granules in them just from the rain taking them off.

Think what any additional pressure would do to your roof. For instance, you see someone cleaning a roof with pressure and it appears they have done a good job just because the streaks and discoloration are gone, but guess what? So is a large amount of the protective ceramic coated granules which insure your shingle’s warranty. Nobody wants to replace a prematurely failed roof due to an incompetent roof cleaning contractor, and you shouldn’t have to.

Apple Roof Cleaning offer an unconditional warranty against any streaks reappearing on your shingles.

You should always use a ‘chemical only’ cleaning process for your roof. Roof cleaning is a completely different trade from pressure washing requiring different pumps, plumbing, hoses, nozzles, valves, chemicals, caution, knowledge, experience and skills. Our certified RCIA roof cleaners have all of the necessary tools, and have learned from the best roof cleaning professionals in the country, plus we also work with the best bumping professionals to determine if there is an issue with your plumbing vent pipes.

Make sure you know what kind of chemicals are being applied on your property. Do not accept “it’s biodegradable” for an answer. Even uranium is biodegradable over 50,000 years or so.

Because many “competitors” lack our roof cleaning equipment, knowledge, training, and experience, they sometimes apply a dangerously strong chemical solution. Sodium Hydroxide and Potassium Hydroxide will dissolve the asphalt and tar on your roof, shortening the life of your shingles and voiding the roof’s warranty. Even sodium metasilicate is too corrosive.

Our chemicals do all of the work to remove streaks and discoloration from your roof and require no pressure or heavy rinsing. Because we do not have to rinse, your roof will stay cleaner longer than our competitors. Leaving the chemicals on the roof creates a roof treatment or a hostile environment for future algae growth. Each time it rains, a small amount of chemical is washed off to help re-clean your roof over and over again.

Concerned about your plants, pets, and landscaping?

We only spray the roof, not your plants. We always bag the ends of your downspouts, collect all the chemical run-off from the roof and dispose of them away from your landscaping. If the roof does not have gutters we will thoroughly dilute the chemical down to safe levels by spraying the landscaping with water before, during, and after applying chemical. After the chemical biodegrades and evaporates from the roof, the dried crystals and surfactant act as a roof treatment to keep the roof cleaner longer as it rains.

We have had to go behind many competitors who pressure wash or rinse their customers roofs, which start growing mold and streaks after only 1 year.

We guarantee our roof cleaning will outlast our competitors!

The price of cleaning your roof vs. replacing it, averages 1/10 the cost!

IT DOESN’T COST, IT PAYS TO CLEAN YOUR ROOF!

SAVE YOURSELF $$ THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS $$ !!!

Call us or visit the RCIA activeboard online if you have more questions.

Or, simply call us at 813-655-8777 for an immediate estimate on your roof cleaning cost.

http://roof-cleaning-institute.activeboard.com/index.spark

ARMA Technical bulletin – http://www.asphaltroofing.org/pdf/tb_217.pdf

GAF Technical bulletin – http://www.gaf.com/Content/Documents