Mold exposure causes and aggravates the symptoms of various medical conditions such as allergies, tissue irritation from inhalation or ingestion, and infections. Mold contains mycotoxins which can be very dangerous. However, mold that grows on the roofs of houses is usually not toxic and is not harmful to the roof itself, it is simply unpleasant to the eye. In any case, too much mold present in or around the environments in which you live can have negative effects on you and your family.
Steps
Step 1. Remove the mold from the roof before washing it
To do this, brush the area to be treated vigorously using a broom or a short-bristled brush. You can find brushes with long handles, which will give you a wider range of action, in most hardware stores.
Step 2. Use a specific mold remover chemical or a mixture of equal parts bleach and water to saturate the spore-attacked roof surface
The easiest way to apply this treatment over a large area is to use a garden spray dispenser filled with the bleach solution.
Step 3. Rub the treated area again using the brush or broom
Then treat the surface again with the bleach and water mixture.
Step 4. Wait for the bleach solution to dry naturally, without rinsing it off
Advice
- When it comes time to replace your roof tiles, consider choosing tiles that incorporate copper granules, which inhibits mold growth.
- Prevent future roof mold growth by installing zinc or copper plates in the affected area. Place metal plates measuring 15x20 cm under the first row of tiles where the greatest amount of mold occurs. Whenever it rains, the metal molecules will wash the roof preventing the spores from growing.
- Mold usually grows on the side of the roof that is not exposed to direct sunlight. Trees and other plants that grow around your home, as well as proximity to water sources or frequent rains, can promote mold growth.
Warnings
- Before starting to clean the roof, water abundantly with water all the plants present within a few meters of the foundation of the house. If the plants are well wet, they will absorb a minimal amount of bleach or the chemical you have chosen to use for cleaning the roof. After finishing the roof treatment, water the area again to eliminate and dilute any traces of toxic product in the earth.
- It is advisable to wear sturdy shoes or boots with a lug sole in case you have to go to the roof of the house to reach the area to be treated. Mold is removed by wetting the surface to be treated, which makes it very slippery. If possible, wash the roof while standing on a ladder.
- Wear rubber gloves when working with mold. Also always use a mask to avoid breathing the spores that are released into the air.
