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Roof Cleaning – Make sure it’s Phosphate Free
It doesn’t seem like much, but roof cleaning chemicals you use will run off the shingles, down the gutters, downspout and then into the yard. Beyond the yard, the water eventually heads back into the water table, or flows into streams and beyond. This is the reason that any chemicals you choose for roof algae cleaning should be free of phosphates.
Fragile EcoSystems damaged by Phosphates
More and more evidence is points to Phosphates being the cause of algae blooms that suffocate our waterways, and zap the oxygen from that fish and aquatic plants need to survive. This results in increasing numbers of dead zones at the mouths of rivers.
Where do the phosphates come from?
It turns out that the cleaning products containing phosphates have been found to be among the most damaging pollutants to waterways. Resulting in the death of plants and fish, the decaying plants and fish then produce bacteria which further depletes the oxygen, and accelerates the cycle of death caused by phosphates.
What does this have to do with roof cleaning?
A common recommendation for roof cleaning products is Bleach and TSP. TSP stands for TRI – SODIUM – PHOSPHATE!
Many people have written about the danger of cleaning your roof with bleach ( Sodium Hypochlorite Roof Cleaning Chemicals ) but no one seems to mention TSP and the Phosphate danger it represents. One side effect of phosphates is that they accelerate the growth of.. ALGAE. Yes, putting a phosphate cleaner on your algae covered roof, seems like putting out a fire by pouring on more gasoline. Please, let’s all keep our planet livable, and stop the unnecessary use of Phosphates.
Before hurting your roof or your world …
Before undertaking a DIY roof cleaning project, or if hiring a roof cleaning service, make sure you ask if the clean with a Phosphate free roof cleaner. The fish, frogs and water plants will thank you!
When phosphates end up in our lakes and rivers, they accelerate plant and algae growth. When the plant and algae die, the bacteria residue consumes the oxygen leaving less for fish and aquatic life which need the oxygen to survive. If the government steps in to clean the waterways, the costs will most likely be passed onto the taxpayers.
