GB2360046A

GB2360046A - Ridge tile including substance to prevent moss and lichen growth

Info

Publication number: GB2360046A
Application number: GB0005738A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Gordon Mackay
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-03-10
Filing date: 2000-03-10
Publication date: 2001-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 2020-03-10
Also published as: GB2360046B; GB0005738D0

Abstract

A hollow ridge tile having a plurality of holes (5) in its lower edges (4) and means for admitting water to its interior, preferably in the form of perforated upper surfaces (2), contains a substance (6) which is toxic to moss and lichen. In use, rain passes through the perforations in the tiles, contacting the substance contained within and transporting it, in solution, down the roof thus discouraging the growth of materials on the roof. The tile may also include a means for discouraging birds from landing on it.

Description

1 ROOF CLEANING MEANS 2360046 The present invention relates to the removal

or the prevention of the formation of, moss and lichen on roofs.

The growth of moss and lichen on roof tiles or slates, although picturesque, is undesirable because such growths attack the surfaces of the tiles, or slates, upon which they grow, leading ultimately, particularly in the case of io clay tiles, to the failure of the tiles or slates.

It has been proposed that such growths should be prevented, or removed by trickling materials such as copper sulphate, or ferrous sulphate, which are toxic to moss and lichen, from pipes laid, or traversed, over a roof surface, see, for example specifications EP 0681072 and WO 9801637.

However, such systems can be unsightly and relatively complicated.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, self-acting and unobtrusive device for preventing the growth of, moss and lichen on roof surfaces.

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for discouraging the growth of moss and lichen on roofs, comprising a hollow ridge tile containing a source of material which is toxic to moss and/or lichen, the lower edges of the ridge tile being provided with a plurality of holes, and means for admitting water to the interior of the tile thereby to cause streams of the said material to flow over the roof surface.

2 Preferably, the upper surfaces of the ridge tiles are perforated to enable rain to enter the ridge tile to provide the said water.

The term "ridge tile" is used in the present specification because the invention has the same shape as a conventional ridge tile and may be used as direct replacements for existing roof ridge tiles.

The ridge tiles of the present invention may be made of clay or coloured concrete so that they match existing roof materials, or they may be made of io metal, or even coloured plastics materials.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, a form of ridge tile embodying the invention comprises two hollow leaves 1 joined together at an angle, which, in the case of a conventional ridge tile, is related to the pitch of a roof with which the ridge tile is to be used. The upper surfaces 2 of the leaves 1 are perforated with an array of holes 3 and the lower edges 4 of the leaves 1 are provided with holes 5. Inside each leaf 1 there is a sheet 6 of copper, which is perforated so as to increase the surface area of the sheets 6. In use, rain, which normally tends to be slightly acidic, penetrates through the holes 3 in the leaves 1, passes over and through the sheet 6 of copper and issues through the holes 5 as a weak solifflon of copper salts which are toxic to moss and lichen, so discouraging the growth of such materials on a roof with which the invention is used. The sheets 6 of copper can be replaced with other slow-release bio-to-.cc materials such as those used in marine antifouling coatings.

3 If the invention is used in conjunction with a roof upon which growths of moss and/or lichen already exist, then over a period of time these growths will be killed and can be removed by power washing.

An ornamental cresting may be added along the apex of the ridge tile.

If the invention is to be used in an area where bird fouling is a problem, io then the end ridge tiles of a run can be modified to receive a vertical member to which a wire can be attached.

The ridge tiles of the present invention can be made of clay or concrete, as in conventional ridge tiles, of suitably coloured plastics materials, or even of metal- A preferred method of manufacture is by extrusion.

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Claims

L4CLAIMS

An apparatus for discouraging the growth of moss or lichen on a roof, comprising a hollow ridge tile containing a source of material which is toxic to moss and/or lichen, the lower edges of the ridge tile being provided with a plurality of holes, and means for admitting water to the interior of the tile thereby to cause streams of the said material to flow over the roof surface.
2. An apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the upper surface of the ridge tile is perforated to enable rain to enter the ridge tile to provide the said water.
3. An apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the ridge tile is adapted to incorporate means for discouraging birds from alighting on the apex of the ridge tile.

An apparatus for discouraging the growth of moss or lichen on a roof substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawing.