eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

How To

How to Clean Asphalt Shingles

Member
By PatrickShane
User-Submitted Article
(6 Ratings)
Clean  Asphalt  Shingles
Clean Asphalt Shingles

The Cleaning and Stain Prevention of Asphalt Shingle Roofs.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Cleaning Solution,Shingle Renew Cleaner,Ladder,Water,
  1. Step 1
    ShingleRenew
    ShingleRenew

    Has the appearance of your roof shingles become stain,moss embedded with lichens? Shingle Renew Cleaner,A cheap effective product removes the worst of stains.I am the owner of Shingle Renew Inc.my free recipe and E-How will provide you the resource to accomplish the success of a clean appearing shingle roof.

  2. Step 2

    With that being said, we are going to share with you a simple solution that will remove the streaks off your roof, and tell you how to apply this roof cleaning solution for the average homeowner.

    You will need the following: a 2 gallon sprayer, a box of Tri Sodium Phosphate (the red box usually bought at Lowes or Home Depot), 10 gallons of sodium hypochlorite, at least fifty feet of garden hose, a garden sprayer, and a protection mask with cartridges to protect your lungs from breathing the solution. You will also need a good sturdy ladder, and also a helper.

    First, you will need to hose off all your plants, and give them a heavy coat of water. This solution can damage and burn bushes, flowers, plants, etc. So make sure you give everything a good coat of water first, and while you are cleaning the roof, your helper will continue rinsing off all plants.

    Second is mixing the solution we talked about above. Dissolve ½ cup of the tsp in hot water. Fill your 2 gallon sprayer with 1 ¼ gallons of water and ¾ of Sodium Hypochlorite. Pour in your tsp solution and mix well. You can add a squirt of household dish soap as well.

    Third, apply this solution to your roof. Make sure you are wearing your protective mask at all times and also protective eyewear. Many times a gust of wind will blow up, blowing the solution into your eyes. You want to always be able to see on the roof. Apply this solution starting at the gutter line, about a ten foot wide section at a time. You will need to coat the entire roof where you have roof stains for the roof to come out even-looking. One 2 gallon container should cover 100-150 sq ft. On a 2000 sq ft. roof you will need several refills to complete the task. Make sure while you are coating the roof your helper continues to water down all plants. You would need your helper to also water down any surface besides the roof this solution comes in contact with.

    Fourth, once you see your stains disappearing or turning brown, it is time to rinse the roof. Using the hose your helper was using and a garden sprayer, rinse your roof really well. The shingles will be extremely wet now, so be very careful in your movements.

  3. Step 3

    Finally, once you have finished rinsing the roof, check to see if you have successfully removed all the stains. If not, repeat the process just for the stained area. If you have removed all the stains, then congratulations, you have successfully removed black stains from your shingled roof.

Tips & Warnings
  • for reference visit http://www.ShingleRenew.com
  • Always use caution on a shingle roof.

Comments  

joanadele said

Flag This Comment

on 10/13/2009 I have a very steep roof that has moss on it. I need a way to spray cleaner on it. I think I need some kind of an extension to put on my hose and a way to feed the roof cleaner through the hose to the extension. I can not afford to have the roof cleaned professionaly

Diane1 said

Flag This Comment

on 12/25/2008 Very nice article,I could never figure out why those dark stains appeared!!!Will visit Shingle Renew for chemical solution details...Thanks Diane

Post a Comment

Post a Comment
  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This

Related Ads

Home & Garden
Ruby Bayan,

Meet Ruby Bayan eHow's Home & Garden Expert.

Get Free Home & Garden Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.

eHow Home and Garden
eHow_eHow Home and Garden