Shingle Insert Strips And Method For Eliminating and Prevent Growth of Algae, Moss, or Lichens on a Roof

Abstract

A shingle insert strip and method for eliminating and preventing growths on a shingled roof in which porous copper strips are installed with upper edges beneath the bottom edges course of shingles with the remaining portions exposed. A confined space is defined beneath a lengthwise hump in the exposed portions which is filled with a material, preferably in granular form which releases a substance toxic to the growths when rainwater runoff passes into the confined space and material and thereafter flows out.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61 / 424,892 filed on Dec. 20, 2010, incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention concerns treating shingled roofs for deterring the growth of algae, moss, lichens or fungus. Such growths can be unsightly and also damage asphalt shingles by loosening the granules embedded therein.[0003]Also water is retained by such growths delaying complete dry out of the roof after a rain and such, the prolonged contact with moisture also contributing to wear out of the roof covering.[0004]It has long been known that copper strips installed on the roof will deter such growths.[0005]Spraying algaecides on the roof shingles can quickly kill those growths which have built up over a period of years.[0006]Copper or zinc strips have long been used to inhibit such growths on roof coverings. These strips act slowly and cannot quickly eliminate are exi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The shingle insert strips are perforated or otherwise configured to have slots or holes to allow free penetration through the strip by rainwater runoff. The shingle insert strips may be constructed of a copper mesh to maximize penetration of rainwater and to provide increased contact area with the rainwater runoff.

[0011]A bottom layer of copper mesh is attached to underlie and close off the space defined by hump, creating a confined space to retain granules or algaecide during handling and installation while allowing through flow of rainwater and easing the installation of the strips, as well as adding to the extent and duration of rainwater contact with the copper metal and the algaecide.

Problems solved by technology

Such growths can be unsightly and also damage asphalt shingles by loosening the granules embedded therein.

Also water is retained by such growths delaying complete dry out of the roof after a rain and such, the prolonged contact with moisture also contributing to wear out of the roof covering.

Spraying algaecides on the roof shingles can quickly kill those growths which have built up over a period of years.

These strips act slowly and cannot quickly eliminate are existing buildup of such growths if the strips are installed later after the roof itself has been installed.

Images