Algae On Roof Shingles

Today s homeowner states that algae stains can be removed by cleaning though they usually return.

Algae on roof shingles. While an occasional cleaning might not harm your roof repeated use of harsh. The tiny spores of bacteria that grow into algae mold and moss are blown onto the roof from nearby trees or carried by the wind through the air from plants and bushes on the ground up to your rooftop. It can develop over time as it flourishes on calcium carbonate and moisture. Commonly found in climates with warm humid summers it does no damage to the roofing but it certainly does looks bad.

That moss then collects rainwater like a sponge. The black mold like stains and streaks that appear on roofs particularly light colored asphalt shingles is actually a blue green algae gloeocapsa magma. Algae is just a thin film of organic growth that can be removed by washing the roof with certified organic oxygen bleach. The algae that form on your roof are not dangerous or harmful to you or your family but it causes the granules on the shingles to fall off.

If you have noticed black spots or streaks on your roof you ve got algae on your roof. Copper strips prevent the growth of moss and algae. If you live in an area susceptible to algae growth be sure to specify this type of shingle when replacing your roof reports today s homeowner. In recent years roofing manufacturers have begun mixing copper granules into roofing products to produce algae resistant shingles.

What happens is the algae grows and becomes food for the moss. This brings mold build up and eventually decay. While an occasional cleaning might not harm your roof repeated use of harsh chemicals or the erosive effects of pressure washing can damage or shorten the. It causes the black stains you may see on your roof.

Moss is thick algae is paper thin use stain solver oxygen bleach to safely clean. Some kinds of algae are responsible for developing streaks and black blemishes on roofs. Common algae that form on roof surfaces including asphalt shingles and roll roofing include the algae shown above and gleocapsa magma a species that generally appears black on the roof surface but under some lighting conditions even on the roof gleocapsa magma can appear as a blue green color as might other algae genera species. Algae stains can be removed by cleaning though they usually return.

In recent years roofing manufacturers have begun mixing copper granules into roofing products to produce algae resistant shingles. While some people actually like the look of moss on their roof they may be unaware that it can damage your roof even promote rot. If you live in an area susceptible to algae growth be sure to specify this type of shingle when replacing your roof. Letting the algae grow on roof shingles can lead to discoloration on the roof.

Since these granules are there to protect the roof from the sun s uv rays they begin to dry out as the. Other than making your roof look unattractive and damaged the most significant effect that algae will have on the shingles involves their longevity. Roof algae generally have a black green hue.