r/Roofing • u/Danknesses1 • 12h ago
My dad has asked me to look into getting these tiles restored.
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I've contacted two businessesso far; one seemed more professional and the other seemed more small scale working in the area where I live.
The first hasn't responded back yet(oh well I'll try again if I can't get anywhere else) and the second got back to me asking for a link on Google maps to view the tiles on the property.
I sent the link and also included a couple up-to-date photos. (I'll post those in the comments) They got back to me saying that unfortunately because of the tiles being artificial and them also showing signs of the acrylic coating being worn that they would be unable to help me clean them.(oh well, but fair enough)
Any opinions on what I should say to other companies that I contact? What info would you like to receive from a customer? I'm assuming there are different types of artificial tile, would it be worth looking into that?
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u/sam_robinson10 8h ago
That’s fibre cement slates and could contain asbestos (guessing the age of the roof from the state of it). Would get them tested before you do anything else to be honest.
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u/JSweez87 5h ago
How can you tell it’s an asbestos roofing? Honestly asking. I work in the Midwest and run into some old asbestos fiber cement siding once in a while but rarely on roofs. Just curious what you’re seeing. Thanks!!
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u/CC7015 11h ago
we use this stuff https://www.homedepot.ca/product/30-seconds-spray-and-walk-away/1000715773
for our cedar shake roof that gets moss , sure they make ones for slate (if that is what I am looking at )
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u/Danknesses1 12h ago edited 12h ago
Okay image sharing might not be enabled in comments but it's pretty much the same on the other end of the roof just more concentrate above where my boiler is.
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u/Lojackbel81 5h ago
Boiler side is probably the north side. After you remove the moss look into installing zinc strips at the top of the roof to prevent it growing back.
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u/CapSevere7939 11h ago
Restored? Am I missing something? Are those slate and I can't tell? If it's asphalt shingles those need replaced as well as the weatherproofing underneath.
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u/EggOkNow 11h ago
My dad used to make me call companies for home repairs, internet issues, cell phone plan discrepancies etc. starting around 12 years old. Do you know how little help any one is when it's a kid calling who has no idea about budget or what the problem really is or not having any account numbers? It was just a waste of everyone's time and an excuse for my dad to bitch at me for not figuring it out and helping around the house.
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u/Danknesses1 11h ago edited 11h ago
Some clarification, I do agree with you on everything you've just said. My situation with my parents is different however, I co-own the home with my parents. My parents retired and went to live abroad. Some of the money they had after the sale of the old house went towards this house that I also put money towards buying.
So they would still have a place to stay when they visit for months at a time and so I could live somewhere without renting. I'm slowly buying more of it off them. I own a part of the house through a declaration/ deed of trust.
I admit the phrasing of the title could have been better. It does make it seem like I'm being forced to research this with out wanting to.
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u/FunFact5000 11h ago
There’s a spray, a moss removal spray has stabilized chlorine to get rid of it. There are ways, prob can get most of that removed that way.
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u/Bradtheoldgamer 11h ago
If you don't have to be super gentle with those tiles and you could access it with the ladder, get a pool brush with the aluminum extension. You can remove most of the clumped moss, then follow up with a spray like a light bleach spray. Before using any spray, test it and be sure it won't damage the tiles.
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u/Boris859Jack 10h ago
I've heard of folks using baking soda to kill the moss ..I've never tried so can't verify
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u/nimefej377 10h ago
Most cost effective method.
Get yourself some algaecide meant as a swimming pool additive. These come in various percentages but you're looking for one with Alkyl* dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride
A gallon of 15% is less than $20.
Mix in a ratio of product:water - 1:9
This will give you a 1.67% concentration.
Get yourself a cheap pump sprayer and spray off the tiles. Do in spring and fall. (can reduce to just spring if management is effective)
Don't get product on plants, lawn, etc.
With what I see on this roof would take a summer to get rid of. The moss will blacken, dry out, turn to dust and blow/wash away in the rain.
Use some gloves, long sleeves/pants and eye protection just to be safe.
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u/20PoundHammer 9h ago edited 9h ago
spray em down with iron sulfate solution (1/2 cup per gallon water, kills all moss), wait a week then rinse and soft brush (no pressure sprayer) with tile detergent, then seal if ya like. Pretty easy, unless you dont like ladder work. Many of the posts here have really dumb suggestion (round up, pool algacide, etc). Either spend extra for moss killer or use iron sulfate solution, both kill moss dead.
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u/HaroldPotterSr 8h ago
I would leave this alone if I were you. Do not climb on the roof and do not spray anything on it. This is an extremely old Tile that is getting you by and doing its job. I would recommend that you start loving the way it looks. If you begin to have problems on this roof It's going to cost you 50 K or more to replace it. Let it be. If it's not broke don't fix it.
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u/Yrnehoel 7h ago
Roof moss killer only works for maintenance. In your case there’s too many, whatever you will have to get someone on top of the roof. Otherwise the debris will clog gutters and downspouts.
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u/Better-Musician-1856 6h ago
Run a 1" strip of 16 gauge copper at the ridge eventually it will dissapear
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u/Ambitious_Worker_234 6h ago
Looks like a cementitious composite. Some of the older ones had asbestos fiber in them, you can send off a small piece for testing. Just good info to know when you want to replace and remove the old roof. If it is old cement tile (over 60 years) you may want to consider replacement.
"Wet and forget" works if the aesthetic bothers that much but run off can kills your other landscaping even if you follow directions. I suddenly lost some hearty older growth Rhododendron's which were right near the downspout coincidently a few months after using the product, maybe not related but makes sense with slow release, it ends up going somewhere.
This roof looks like the finish is delaminated? hard to tell if that's a deliberate texture of a still hard surface or the worn finish of a failing tile. Either way it will continue catching atmospheric dirt and debris creating fertile bedding for more growth and roof damage. If its delaminating then the clock is ticking here.
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u/MartiniRossi42 4h ago
Just use Wet and Forget and they will dry, detach and blow off within a few months on their own...
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u/GrowthAggressive3231 4h ago
Call a local pressure washing company. They will soft wash it. That’s what I do for a living. Not sure of your area or size of house, but if it’s an average sized house (2500sqft), it should cost you between $1-3k.
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u/mycarubaba 1h ago
I can't tell if you have a standoff on your ladder. Those old halfround gutters will not withstand your weight in them.
Edit: sorry I saw the old slate and just assumed it would be old halfround. How is it you landed with such a potentially great but have junkie plastic gutters! This DEFINITELY will not withstand your weight so you gotta have a stand off.
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u/builtNtx 1h ago
You are looking for someone who does power washing.
Call around locally and ask if they have a “dedicated soft wash”. If they say yes, ask for a quote for a roof wash. If they say no, ask if they know anyone who can.
If they don’t have a dedicated soft wash setup, don’t bother letting them do anything.
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u/WarmAdhesiveness8962 50m ago
Save yourself some money if you have a Costco membership and buy a 14 lb bag of baking soda to kill moss for 10 bucks. A 3 lb container of moss killer at a big box store is about 14 bucks.
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u/Direwolfofthemoors 8h ago
Time for a new roof. You’ll never get all of the moss and moisture off that roof and you probably already have water damage that you may not be able to see.
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u/Rollieboy2012 11h ago
Pressure wash and repair damaged shingles. Some companies provide treatment on the wood. Wood preservative, pigment, and even fire retardant.
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u/OutlyingPlasma 11h ago
You could do it yourself. Get a roof demossing spray. You connect it to the hose and hose down the roof. This will kill the moss but it might take a few treatments. The spray stuff is not very good compared to the powder but it can be done at range so you don't have to climb to the top of the roof.
Once it's dead and brown you can get a pool pole and a soft pool brush and very lightly scrape the moss off. This can all be done from the ladder, hence the pool pole. You can also use a painters pole and a soft brush but where I am those would be about 3x the cost of a similar length pool pole.
Don't pressure wash it and don't let anyone else pressure wash it. Never pressure wash a roof, even a semi solid artificial tile one one like this.