ctgo4it Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 This moss-like substance was covering most of the deck and parts of the roof. There happened to have been a light rain falling all day, so I don't know if the air is wet there usually (there was a pool in the backyard, don't know if it means anything) Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Image Insert: 32.88 KB Image Insert: 49.46 KB Image Insert: 41.24 KB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homnspector Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 Its algae on the deck and lichen on the roof. The deck looks pretty much shot and not too long for the roof. I would call both "symtoms of advanced age". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 The deck looks shot. The roof doesn't look all that bad. I find lichen on roofing all the time. Heck, I've got lichen on my current roof; it's been there for about 10 years. I brush it off from time to time. I'm not saying lichen is good, but it's mere presence doesn't necessarily indicate a roof that's about to die. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homnspector Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 I was looking more at the curling shingle tabs in pic #3. I agree, lichen probably doesn't hurt much. I guess technically it is breaking down the mineral, but very slowly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terence McCann Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 Isn't lichen due to moisture and not enough sun to dry things up? Like what you might find on the North side of a tree? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 Originally posted by Terence McCann Isn't lichen due to moisture and not enough sun to dry things up? Like what you might find on the North side of a tree? Yup, mainly a result of a moist shady enviroment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenT Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 I've seen stuff like that growing on trees. I'm not a hornyculturist, but I remember being told that it is some type of disease that will spread to all the nearby trees. The only way to kill it is to remove the tree. Is there anything that looks like this on the surrounding trees? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghentjr Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 Sprinkle powdered tide detergent on the lichen (lightly) before a rain. After a few treatments it may be gone. But then again, it may not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctgo4it Posted July 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 Honestly, I thought the roof was in decent condition. There was a pool in the backyard, but I don't think that creates the moisture to cause this (probably on the deck it did). This part of the roof was under trees though Image Insert: 19.7 KB Image Insert: 16.29 KB Image Insert: 17.52 KB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenT Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 Is any of the "lichen" on the trees? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homnspector Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 The roof does look pretty good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctgo4it Posted July 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2007 Originally posted by StevenT Is any of the "lichen" on the trees? I didn't notice any. What does it come from and what can I recommend to my client? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted July 27, 2007 Report Share Posted July 27, 2007 It's just a fungus. Get some moss kill, apply it to the roof on an overcast day, let it work and then rinse it off with a garden hose. If it's stubborn, use a soft-bristled brush along with the hose to work it loose. It usually grows on organic material around here - even in bright sunlight. I almost never see it on a roof unless there's a lot of bird crap for it to eat. I don't see any bird crap there, so I don't know why it would be growing there. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted July 27, 2007 Report Share Posted July 27, 2007 It's not a disease that spreads and it's not a parasite. Lichen is a mutually dependent marriage of fungus & algae. It reproduces by spores that become airborne and attach to surfaces with the right texture for it to grab hold. It doesn't feed on organic material or even roof coverings. It gets its food from natural airborne dust, rain and primarily, photosynthesis. It grows very, very slowly -- that's why I see it covering much more surface area on very old slate roofs. It only causes very minor damage to materials from its waste, that is slightly acidic, and it retains moisture. It doesn't really want to destroy its host. To get rid of it, bring in some reindeer or caribou, that survive on it in extreme arctic climates. Any treatment that kills algae, fungus or other plants would probably do it in, but physically removing it would probably do more damage to an asphalt roof than leaving it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctgo4it Posted July 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2007 So I ended up sending the client the report without mentioning the Lichen. Was that a bad idea? Should I write an addendum? Thank You Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homnspector Posted July 31, 2007 Report Share Posted July 31, 2007 Might be good to mention it so some roofer doesn't convince him it is a major problem. I think I would just send a quick e-mail explaining lichen. It is so common you don't usually mention it but later realized he may not be familiar with it, and may be concerned when he sees it on the roof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctgo4it Posted August 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2007 send him an email, gave him some links. Thanks for the idea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Baird Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Around here there's a game similar to "snipe hunting" called "lichen lookin'". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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