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Uncontrolled mold growth can cause homeowners persistent inconvenience. It can increase in any part of your house, including the roof, and deteriorate the roof surface and its building material. The nuisance can ultimately affect the interior of your home as well. So being a homeowner, you should pay attention to mold remediation. You can take some basic steps yourself, however procuring the services of roofing contractors can be quite helpful in this regard. Let’s gear up and explore the signs of mold intervention and strategies for mold remediation in this article.
Apart from mold, several other organisms can inhabit your roof, such as:
Before eradicating mold, you must be able to identify it. Based on these characteristics, you can differentiate mold from other damaging agents like mildew, algae, and moss.
The green specks appearing on your roof may not necessarily be mold. Algae appear as brown discoloration and typically forms a slippery layer over the roof. Moss forms a green mat on your roof, whereas mildew is a type of mold that appears in gray or white patches. You can identify mold as velvety patches of brownish-green or black color.
Mold can be easily identified due to its distinctive stale and musty odor. The persisting, unpleasant, earthy smell comparable to that of rotten wood or wet socks is an indicator of mold infestation on your roof. While mildew may smell similar to mold, algae and mosses, do not have a strong smell.
Algae usually grow in areas of your roof that lack sunlight, whereas moss thrives in damp, shady areas with overhanging trees. Mold and mildew, on the other hand, appear in highly moist areas of the roof with poor drainage, debris build-up, and inadequate sunlight.
Mold infestation not only damages your roof, but it can also be devastating to the integrity of your entire home. Some hazards associated with mold growth include:
Mold infestation associated with consistent dampness can damage roofing material over time. It can result in:
As the mold thrives on various roofing materials like shingles and wood, it deteriorates the surface of the roof by causing:
Mold proliferates in areas that have already been exposed to water seepage and improper drainage. As the mold grows further, it only exaggerates the damage by increasing the entry points of water. It leads to increased water intrusion that can damage the interior of your home.
Untreated roof mold can trigger some serious health problems among the house residents, for instance:
Weakened roofing materials and deteriorated roof surfaces can reduce the lifespan of your roof. A roof exposed to moisture and mold infestation is prone to undergo:
A plausible solution is to ask roofing contractors to suggest a roofing material ideal for preventing mold growth, given the potential risks of mold infestation.
A metallic roof, usually fabricated from aluminum or steel, prevents mold infestation due to its non-porous structure. Metallic roofing sheds away the accumulating water, thereby getting rid of the main culprit of mold infestation. Metal roofs are highly durable, long-lasting, and resistant to:
Concrete tiles, again, are non-porous, and that is why they contain no room for water intrusion. Ultimately, the mold and mildew do not find this roofing material favorable for growth. The fire and resistance to harsh climate adds to the durability of these roofs.
The smooth surface of slate tiles effectively sheds the accumulating water, which means no water accumulation means no mold infestation. The durability and curb appeal of these tiles make them an ideal choice for mold remediation.
A synthetic roof, also called a composition roof, is made up of materials like:
Synthetic roofing shingles, which are made of polymer-based shingles, are specially designed to minimize water accumulation and resist mold infestation. They are highly durable and require minimal maintenance.
Roofing contractors usually manufacture asphalt shingles incorporated with mold-resistant materials called “mold inhibitors.” These materials restrain the infestation and proliferation of mold.
If you have been neglecting your roof for quite a long and just noticed a heavy mold infestation, it's time to take action!
It is better to be cautious beforehand than to investigate a situation once it gets out of control. Therefore, we are suggesting some simple tips that might be of great help.
Inspect your roof thoroughly at least twice a year and look for potential signs of infestation, such as debris build-up and water seeping and pooling.
Trees provide shade, lower the temperature of your home, and improve ventilation around the roofing of your home. However, they can cause:
All these conditions are quite favorable for mold growth. Therefore, regularly prune and trim the trees to keep them away from your roof.
Clogged gutters and inadequate drainage means the accumulation of stagnant water and organic waste. It sounds like a perfect breeding ground for mold. Prevent gutter clogs to ensure effective water removal from your roof.
If you notice any mold-infested materials like:
Instantly remove these materials from your roof to avoid further damage. Be careful while handling such objects to avoid the release of mold spores sticking to them.
Make sure to disinfect the mold-infested areas using a bleaching solution. Follow these steps for disinfection:
Caution: Bleach is harmful to the skin. Handle it carefully.
Mold remediation ensures the longevity and durability of your roof. Mold infestation can cause serious damage to the roofing materials. Therefore, roofing contractors should use a smooth, non-porous and mold resistant for manufacturing roofs. Mold-proof roofing can be made of asphalt, slate, concrete, or metals like aluminium or steel. You should conduct thorough inspections twice a year, prune overhanging trees, and avoid clogged gutters to keep your roof mold-free.
