Methods and apparatus for inhibiting growth on roofs and other structures

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for inhibiting growth of moss, fungus, algae, and other vegetation on roofs and other housing structures include a metallic strip mounted to the structure by non-intrusive mounting elements, as for example, adhesive, to avoid permanent damage to the structure to which the strip is mounted. The metallic strip, preferably formed from zinc or a zinc alloy, reacts with water, preferably rain water, to form a growth inhibiting solution which flows down the roof or other structure to which the strip is mounted. The strip defines a reservoir for increasing the contact time between water and the strip to increase the metallic content of the solution for more effectively inhibiting growth on the structure to which the strip is mounted.

1 . A metallic element for reacting with water flowing over said metallic element to form a solution for inhibiting growth on an outdoor structure, said metallic element comprising: 
 at least one reservoir defined in said metallic element, said reservoir adapted to at least partially impede the flow of water over said metallic element so as to increase the time in which said water remains in contact with said metallic element.    
   
   
       2 . The metallic element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one reservoir comprises a channel defined in said metallic element.  
   
   
       3 . The metallic element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said metallic element is a strip.  
   
   
       4 . The metallic element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said metallic element is formed from pure metal.  
   
   
       5 . The metallic element as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said metal is zinc.  
   
   
       6 . The metallic element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said metallic element is formed from a metal alloy.  
   
   
       7 . The metallic element as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said metallic element is formed from a zinc alloy.  
   
   
       8 . The metallic element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said metallic element comprises a first planar portion extending from a first side of said at least one reservoir.  
   
   
       9 . The metallic element as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said: first planar portion of said metallic element includes non-invasive means for mounting said metallic element to said outdoor structure.  
   
   
       10 . The metallic element as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said means for mounting includes an adhesive material applied to at least a part of said first planar portion of said metallic element.  
   
   
       11 . The metallic element as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said metallic element comprises a second planar portion extending from a second side of said reservoir.  
   
   
       12 . The metallic element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of a surface of said metallic element over which said water flows is roughened.  
   
   
       13 . The metallic element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein metallic element is adapted to be mounted to a roof.  
   
   
       14 . A metallic element for reacting with water flowing over said metallic element to form a solution for inhibiting growth on an outdoor structure, said metallic element comprising: 
 non-invasive means for mounting said metallic element to any selected position on said outdoor -structure.    
   
   
       15 . The metallic element as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said non-invasive means comprises an adhesive material.  
   
   
       16 . The metallic element as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said non-invasive means is adapted to removably mount said metallic element to said outdoor structure.  
   
   
       17 . The metallic element as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said metallic element comprises at least one reservoir and at least a first planar portion extending from a first side of said at least one reservoir, said non-invasive means for mounting said metallic element applied, at least in part, to said first planar portion.  
   
   
       18 . The metallic element as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said metallic element comprises a second planar portion extending from a second side of said at least one reservoir.  
   
   
       19 . A method of inhibiting growth on an outdoor structure, said method comprising the steps of: 
 mounting an element to said outdoor structure for reacting with water flowing over said element to form a solution for inhibiting growth on said outdoor structure, and    increasing the time in which said element remains in contact with said water flowing over said element by impeding the flow of said water over said element by at least one reservoir formed in said element.    
   
   
       20 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , further including the step of: 
 mounting said element to any selected location on said outdoor structure by non-invasive mounting means.