algae on workshop

[devonwoody]

The north side of my workshop (art) as a growth of green algae at the lower 3 boards, (a garden shrub also grows a couple of feet away)

The timber is treated fairly regularly with a cuprinol preservative but I am loathe to paint over it this time with a new coat of preserative (it doesn't need it really, the rest of the side is in good condition).
Can I kill of the algae with bleach or should I only go with warm soapy water and a brush?

 

[OLD]

You could power wash it so no problem with the garden it just water.

 

[llangatwgnedd]

5 liters of bleach from Lidel for 80 odd pence if your posh enough to have a Lidel`s in Devonia

 

[devonwoody]

Both above replies have been under my consideration when I posted the subject.

I am concerned that bleach could damage or kill the timber besides the algae, and therefore be overkill.
Pressure spray I thought my be too powerful and again damage the fabric.

 

[Keith Smith]

You could try nailing some copper wire or tubing (depends how bad the problem) above it so that rain washes over the copper then over the algae. It may take a while but it will ultimately kill the algae

 

[devonwoody]

This is my problem I think it is either splashback or a damp area caused by proximity to hedge and north side.



I like the idea of the copper strip but is it the answer to this situation?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v330/devonwoody/2nd album/algae1.jpg

 

[Keith Smith]

This is my problem I think it is either splashback or a damp area caused by proximity to hedge and north side.

Yes, to all of the above

I like the idea of the copper strip but is it the answer to this situation?

I think its your best bet for a long term solution, chemicals will remove it but it will only come back. You could try using the stick on copper strip normally used to stop slugs, or a piece of 10mm microbore pipe cliped above.

 

[devonwoody]

Thanks for the advice, at the moment I only have some old 12mm copper pipe laying around, most probably put that up until one of my friendly plumber neighbours throws me a 12ft length of that smaller bore.

 

[Nick W]

Errrm, won't the copper pipe produce a different green stain?

 

[Keith Smith]

Errrm, won't the copper pipe produce a different green stain?

No the copper itself may go green but the wood underneath turns erm... back to whatever it was before algae took over :lol:

I mentioned 10mm because I thought it would be less obtrusive.

Telephone overhead wiring used to be copper coated and there was never any algae on the roof beneath it.

 

[devonwoody]

I have got some 10mm electric 3 core cable that has got an heavy earth wire. That would be unobtrusive what do you think about that?

 

[Keith Smith]

I have got some 10mm electric 3 core cable that has got an heavy earth wire. That would be unobtrusive what do you think about that?

The bigger the copper area the quicker and more effect, but the more unsightly. I'd try it and see how you get on, you could always use the 10mm cable rather than just the earth. But there are two things to bear in mind.

1 It won't even start to work until it starts raining. It hasn't rained here for months!!

2 And don't forget to take the insulation off :lol:

Sorry :wink:

Keith

 

[devonwoody]

Thanks for all replies I will report back later in the season.

 

[Vormulac]

If anyone asks what you're doing, tell them it's a conductor for horizontal lightning.

V.

 

[Lord Nibbo]

If anyone asks what you're doing, tell them it's a conductor for horizontal lightning.

V.

Or the building needs earthing :lol: