How To Remove Lichen From Roof Shingles

Hopefully the shingles will last another 15 years but the lichens and moss may have shortened the shingle life by 5 years or more.

How to remove lichen from roof shingles.

Lichen is a hardy growth known to firmly. Lichen accumulation on roofs is really a minor problem that will not hurt the roof. Moss itself is a plant while lichen conisist of a fungus and a photosyntheizing plant living together. So if you attempt to remove it with a hand tool you may accidentally remove the protective top layer of your roof shingles as well.

I ve used the same products on the roof of my in laws house in florida and my mother s patio pavers also in florida to clean algae stains and three years later the roof and pavers are still stain free. Removing shingles one of the first steps to installing a new roof involves removing the nails or staples securing the shingles in place along with tarpaper and any valley or ridge shingles. Removing lichen fully using this method is nearly impossible not to mention time consuming especially if you are dealing with a large surface like a roof. When leaves and other material collect on your roof a perfect bed is formed for moss and lichens to grow.

An application of vinegar kills lichen. You also risk the potential of accidentally damaging the protective top layer of your roof shingles while trying to remove it with this method. Lichen avoids galvanized steel copper and zinc because these metals work as a natural biocide. How to remove lichens moss from asphalt roof shingles.

Lichen can be really tricky to remove because it grips strongly onto the surface.