Why Do Some Roofs Grow Algae

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Why do some roofs grow algae. Algae and other microscopic growths on the roofs are an age old problem but the solution is on the mind of both roofing contractors and homeowners. Algae grow most often on wood and asphalt shingles or concrete tiles especially if they do not get a lot of sunlight. Algae algae is trickier than moss to prevent but some shingle manufacturers are making strides with copper composite shingles. Algae on the roof.
Why washing your roof yourself might be a bad idea. Although algae can be found on all types of roofing it tends to be most common on asphalt shingles. Gloeocapsa has the ability to form a protective darkly pigmented outer coating that shields the algae from damaging uv rays. The algae streaks can be washed off but doing so properly is complex and tricky.
Known as black algae or roof mold gloeocapsa. Algae spores are airborne. How do you deal with the algae. Add the high humidity and sunlight to that standing water and you have the ideal growth conditions for mold and algae.
This is what makes those unattractive black streaks on your roof. Though these shingles do cost more they contain copper particulate which is toxic to algae. Why do shingles get algae. You may think you have roof algae when really you have moss mildew or mold.
Why mold algae grow on your roof and how to remove it todays post is from devyn earls of orlando s a 1 quality roof cleaning and restoration company. The most common class of roof algae is gloeocapsa magma a bacterium that eats water and expels oxygen. Blue green algae the most common form that grows on roofs is generally not harmful to the roofing materials. This is why it s better to leave roof cleaning to the professionals.
Roof algae generally have a black green hue. Metal particles can flow down the roof with rainwater killing off any algae growth in its path. Algae mold and moss grow well on rooftops because there s often some standing water on the roof. The black streaks on your roof don t appear for everyone they usually only appear on roofs in humid parts of the country.
Algae can grow in moist shaded areas so if a homeowner has trees hanging over their roof tell them to trim them back to let the sunshine warm and dry the roof. If the cleaning isn t handled correctly shingle granules can be washed off your roof compromising your roof s protection. A growing problem this website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. The biggest problem is the streaks the algae cause.
They also appear specifically on the north side of the roof.