A home’s curb appeal encompasses its full exterior, from a well-manicured lawn to fingerprint-free windows and freshly painted siding. What if your roof has unexplained dark spots? Not only does this detract your home’s curb appeal but the structural integrity of your property could be at risk.
Reason Behind Dark Streaks
At first glance, you may think the dark spots are dirt, mold or soot from the chimney. More likely, it is a blue-green aquatic organism called algae. This airborne plant can travel from roof to roof, particularly those with asphalt shingles. Algae can survive off the fiberglass or crushed limestone filler present in most asphalt roofing shingles.
Algae Formation
The most common type of algae, gloeocapsa magma, thrives in humid, moist environments. The northern slope of your roof, which sees the most shade during the day, is the ideal atmosphere for growth. Overhanging trees also offer a shady, damp area for gloeocapsa magma to form. As a note, this type of algae has a protective outer coating that makes it appear more black than green.
Getting Rid of Algae
Moisture retention, which could lead to shingle deterioration and roof leaks, and root damage make algae dangerous to your roof. How do roots form? When algae is combined with fungus, lichen is created – a composite organism that also feeds off shingle filler. It can develop roots, which makes it much more difficult to remove than algae.
Before lichen becomes a possibility, schedule a roof cleaning. Do-it-yourself power-washing can cause further damage to shingles, so it’s best to use a professional cleaning solution designed to safely remove algae. Depending on the degree of damage, the algae may not completely wash off.
On the other hand, it’s rare that roof replacement becomes necessary unless serious structural damage is discovered. While there is no guarantee algae won’t return, homeowners can prevent further roof damage with regular checks and maintenance.
Work with the professionals at New Britain Roofing Co, Inc. to safely remove algae from your roof. To request an on-site estimate, contact us today!