HOW TO PREVENT MOLD ON YOUR ROOF?

Mold spores are everywhere and they’re hard to avoid either inside or outside our homes and buildings. However, while you can’t stop mold spores from landing on your roof there are plenty of things you can do to prevent mold from growing there and the subsequent damage mold growth can do to your roof and the rest of your building.

The roof is an integral part of any building and your first line of defense against the elements. Roofs require maintenance, like any other part of your building, and taking preventative measures to prevent mold and algae as well as dealing with any growth that does arise is an important part of looking after your building or home in Spring Lake.

Preventing the problem should always be your first priority, especially when it comes to mold as mold remediation can be both expensive and time-consuming. But don’t panic if you do find mold. So long as you tackle the problem as quickly as possible you should be able to prevent any major damage to your roof or the rest of your building.

Preventative Measures to Stop Mold Growth

As in so many situations prevention is better than cure when it comes to mold, especially as mold can do a lot of damage structurally, cosmetically and to your health. Mold also likes to grow out of sight and so by the time you notice it you may have a bigger problem than you first imagined.

Mold needs moisture and organic matter to grow as well as the right temperature. There’s often not much you can do about the temperature but 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. Firstly, it allows for clear drainage of water and secondly, it takes away the organic matter that mold needs to 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, dark, warmth and organic matter. You can clear debris by hand or with a leaf blower and should probably aim to do so at the same time as clearing your gutters.

Guttering

Keeping your guttering clear of debris and flowing freely is a vital element of your home maintenance and something that should be given attention at least twice a year.

If debris is allowed to build up it can cause a number of issues including blockages that lead to standing water and a plentiful supply of organic matter that mold needs to grow. Clogged gutters can also attract pests and cause damage to your roof not to mention issues in the rest of your home if the rainwater isn’t being drained away from the foundations as it should be.

Keep the area around your property clear

It is advisable to keep the area around your property as clear as possible in particular cutting back any overhanging trees. Overhanging trees can not only be a way for mold spores to spread but their twigs and leaves provide a plentiful supply of organic matter for mold to feed on.

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

Check for Standing Water

Standing water can be a big problem and a likely cause of mold particularly if you have a flat roof. If you find standing water it shows that your drainage system isn’t working as it should be and this will need professional attention.

Standing water can also lead to leaks which can result in mold in other areas of your building, particularly hidden areas. So if you discover a problem it’s worth doing a thorough investigation to make sure you don’t have a damp problem that could lead to mold.

Schedule Regular Roof Inspections

Being proactive and scheduling regular roof inspections is a key way to prevent mold as well as many other roof issues. You could schedule these inspections to coincide with gutter maintenance and inspection and get whoever is checking the gutters to check the rest of the roof for damage, cracks, standing water, missing tiles or other issues at the same time.

You may also wish to inspect the roof after extreme weather such as storms, high winds, or ice as these can cause damage to your roof which if left unattended could 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 protection.

If you have suffered from mold in the past or live in an area that is susceptible to mold growth then it might be worth considering this as an option. You can also get preventative sprays and even replace shingles with ones that include copper or zinc which you may wish to do if your roof needs replacing.

Dealing with Mold on Your Roof

If you do discover mold on your roof you want to remove it as quickly as possible either by good old fashioned scrubbing or using special cleaning solutions that you can simply spray on the roof and leave or a call to Pure Maintenance of Central Jersey in New Jersey.

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, not to mention time-consuming, but there is no point cleaning a roof that actually needs replacing and you don’t want to end up damaging your roof further in the process of trying to fix it.