Algae spores can quickly spread in the right conditions:
- Wind carries algae spores from roof to roof
- Hot, humid conditions promote algae growth
- Shaded areas serve as excellent breeding grounds
What kills algae on roof?
- Hose attachment for easy application
- Kills mold and mildew within 10 minutes
- Heavy-duty solution
How to clean algae or mold off your roof shingles?
How to use Bleach to clean other types of roofs
- Inspect it for algae, moss, mold, mildew, dirt and stains.
- Dilute a solution of oxygen bleach with water and pour the solution in a pump sprayer,
- Use a ladder to climb the roof and wet the whole roof with plain water using a garden hose.
- Spray the affected areas of your roof.
- Leave the solution on the roof for 15 minutes.
Does moss or algae love your shingle roof?
Roof algae are the first wave in a succession of organisms that can colonize and ultimately undermine a roof. The algae can eventually team up with a fungus to form lichen. Moss follows, building a small layer of soil that might catch seeds from bird droppings. By the time grass sprouts between the shingles, it's past time for a new roof.
Are algae resistant shingles worth it?
The cause of this streaking is a simple organism - Gloeocapsa magma. This microscopic organism or algae actually eats an ingredient found in many asphalt shingles. The algae is harmless and the feeding does not cause any damage whatsoever to the shingles.
How do you prevent algae on shingles?
Though algae-resistant shingles will not prevent moss, they will help you avoid pesky algae. Install a metal strip: A copper, zinc or a galvanized metal strip installed on the ridge of the roof can prevent the growth of moss, algae and lichen.
How do you treat algae on roof shingles?
The most effective method of cleaning algae and moss from a roof is with a 50:50 mix of laundry strength liquid chlorine bleach and water. Apply with a sprayer and allow the solution to dwell on the roof surface for 15 to 20 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with low pressure water.
What does algae on a roof mean?
Known as black algae or roof mold, Gloeocapsa Magma is usually blamed on dirt accumulation, mold and mildew or defective shingles. It's actually just a blue-green algae spread by airborne spores. It is easily spread and causes those colorful stains on so many roofs. It needs heat, moisture and nutrients to grow.
What causes green algae on roof shingles?
Blue-green algae spreads via the wind, which means if nearby houses have it, there's a good chance your home is also exposed. They favor humid and moist environments and harbor nutrients from dust. These microorganisms usually settle on the north side of the roof where there is less sun exposure and more moisture.
How do I stop algae growing on my roof?
To prevent growth, install a 6-inch-wide strip of zinc or copper under a row of shingling closes to the roof peak. With an inch or so still exposed to weather, the metal molecules will run down the roof during a storm and kill any algae trying to colonize in your shingles.
Does algae damage a roof?
Algae damages roofs that use shingles. This is because they slowly feed off the asphalt's limestone. This weakens the roof's structural integrity, which may cause some shingles to detach. Damage from algae may also weaken your roof's ability to reflect sunlight, causing more heat to radiate throughout your home.
What is the difference between algae and mold?
Algae and mold are different but equally harmful to your property. Mold is a fungus that will eat nutrients to survive. Algae is more plant-like and eats the limestone filler in shingles and organic matter on a home's siding. Either is bad news for your home's exterior.
Will bleach damage asphalt shingles?
No, bleach will not cause discoloration in your shingles, or asphalt shingles.
Why do my shingles look wet?
In most cases, shingles appear wet because they are covered with a type of algae. This problem typically begins as small spots on the roof, eventually becoming large black streaks.
Should you remove moss from roof?
To avoid expensive repairs, moss should be removed from your roof tiles quickly if it is covering a significant area of your roof. Avoid pressure washing your roof to remove moss, as this could cause damage to the tiles and lead to the drenching of your roof interior.
How do you remove mold and mildew from roof shingles?
While wearing protective rubber gloves and a breathing mask, carefully pour ¼-part chlorine bleach into a clean bucket with ¾-part water. Next, put a tablespoon of trisodium phosphate to the bleach solution. Pour the bleach solution into a pump sprayer. Generous spray the moldy roof shingles with the solution.
What is the green growth on my roof?
Moss spores can become airborne and make their way onto roofs via wind, birds, squirrels, and other small animals, in the same way that algae makes its way to your roof. Once the moss spores land on a roof, they will gather in the spaces between shingles and eventually grow into thick spongy moss.
What is algae on a roof?
Algae growth is common on roof surfaces of several materials including asphalt shingles, concrete and clay roof tiles, and even slate. Often algae that is identified as green when studied microscopically, also looks "black" or quite dark on a roof surface. We provide a list of type of stains and colors that appear on roof shingles ...
What is the color of algae on shingles?
Black (or Brown or Green) Algae Stains on Asphalt Roof Shingles. Misnamed as "mildew" or "fungus" by some writers, algae staining on asphalt shingles usually in shaded areas or on the more-shaded roof slopes- characterized by black staining fairly uniform over shingles, but appearing specifically in areas of the roof shaded by nearby trees.
What Causes Black or Green Algae Stains and Algae Growth on Asphalt Shingles?
It grows on building surfaces where it finds food (lime, paint, other) and moisture; it is retarded but perhaps not entirely retarded, by sunlight and heat.
Why is my asphalt shingles turning black?
Kirby [at REFERENCES] pointed out back in 1996, black or dark-green streaking on asphalt shingles is most likely caused by an airborne algae, Gloeocapsa that tends to grow in warm, humid environments, but can occur throughout most of the U.S. and Canada.
What does it mean when you see black algae on your roof?
When black or green stains on a roof surface are more uniform and cover a wide area that does not originate at one or more single pinpoints in the shingles, this is likely to be a black algae growing on the shingle surface.
Why is my asphalt roof black?
Black roof algae: Some black stains on asphalt roof shingles are caused by a black algae, typically Gloeocapsa magma. These black roof algal stains are sometimes misnamed or misidentified as a black fungus or even a "mildew") . Algae is more likely to grow on shaded roof sections (probably the cause of black stains on the lower roof in ...
Why does my roof have black spots?
Algae is more likely to grow on shaded roof sections (probably the cause of black stains on the lower roof in the photo at above right), while asphalt shingle bleed-through stains more often appear to emanate from single points regardless of sun or shade exposure (probably the cause of stains in the photo at above left).
How do algae grow on a roof?
The algae growth on roofs are microorganisms which thrive in moist conditions. They spread by releasing spores into the air. Those spores usually require a moist surface to open. If the moist surface they land on is your roof, that’s where they bloom.
How do you know if you have algae on your roof?
Do You Have Algae on Your Roof? The most common sign you have algae growth is black streaks on your shingles. The streaks may be slimy and dirty in appearance. The algae streaks can come down the side of the house and stick to the siding and trim.
What is the best way to stop algae growth on a roof?
Also, when it’s time to replace your current roof, consider algae-proof shingles. They contain tiny flecks of copper which help repel algae growth. Another option is a galvanized steel or copper roof. If you suspect that you have algae growth on your roof, call Mark Kaufman Roofing today.
How to prevent algae from coming back?
To prevent algae from coming back, you need to get as much sun to your roof as possible. Trim back trees which shade the roof. Keep debris from accumulating. Clear gutters so moisture has a place to go.
Why is there algae on my roof in Sarasota?
Due to the humid, hot weather here in North Port and Sarasota, a lot of roofs have algae growing on them. Sometimes it’s evident. Sometimes it’s not. How do you know if you have algae on your roof and how do you remove it?
Does bleach kill mold on shingle roofs?
Chlorine bleach will kill the mold on shingle roofs. A solution of bleach and water gets sprayed on the roof’s surface and left there for a short time. After that, it’s critical to spray the entire surface down with clean water to prevent the bleach from lingering.
Does copper flashing kill algae?
Copper flashing also repels these growths. Metal particles can flow down the roof with rainwater, killing off any algae growth in its path. Blue-green algae, the most common form that grows on roofs, is generally not harmful to the roofing materials. The biggest problem is the streaks the algae cause.
How to remove algae from roof?
There are several products on the market specifically designed to remove algae stains from roofs, such as Wet & Forget Outdoor. A mixture of trisodium phosphate (TSP), bleach, and water will also remove stains. Oxygen bleach lightens stains as well and is less harmful to the environment, but it doesn’t produce as immediate or dramatic an effect as chlorine bleach.
What causes black spots on asphalt shingles?
Find out how to remove unsightly black stains from asphalt shingle roofs caused by an algae known as Gloeocapsa Magma that is spread by airborne spores.
How long does it take for a hail shingle to be loosened?
Adjusters know it can take 2-3 years for hail damage to become appearant so usually honor the claim.
Why is my asphalt roof black?
Black stains on an asphalt roof caused by algae.
What detergents are used on asphalt shingles?
We use sodium hypochlorite, non-phosphate detergents, and so dium metasilicate combination on asphalt shingles. The concentration depends on how stained the roof is, the pitch of the roof, and the time of year (temperature). Never let anyone use high pressure on your roof.
Can you clean algae off of asphalt?
Algae stains can be removed by cleaning, though they usually return. 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 life of asphalt shingles.
Can algae grow under metal flashing?
Absence of algae under metal flashing. Algae Resistant Shingles. In recent years, roofing manufacturers have begun mixing copper granules into roofing products to produce algae resistant shingles. If you live in an area susceptible to algae growth, be sure to specify this type of shingle when replacing your roof.
What happens if you have algae on your roof?
Once blue green algae on roof shingles has saturated your ceiling, water seeps all the way through to your foundation, so growth problems aren’t always curable. You’ll need an entirely new roof if the bloom has caused severe structural damages and insulation degradation. Exterior paint damage and ceiling discoloration are two more signs ...
Why is my roof pooling?
It’s impossible to control if your roof is prone to pooling, which is often caused by structural damage and shoddy design. Wet insulation is another problem that’s often caused by roofing indentations. Waterproofing is an important weapon for winning the algae battle.
What is black mold on a roof?
This black roof mold looks like dirt accumulation and spreads through airborne spores. You need to destroy it thoroughly if you’re going to interrupt its reproductive cycle. Heavy-duty ammonia products produce poisonous chlorine gas, so bleach is a better DIY roof cleaning algae option.
What is the worst enemy of a roof?
Nature is your roof’s worst enemy. When it’s not hammering your shingles with hail and water, it’s coating them with mildew and mold. Algae is as stubborn as it is ugly. Never satisfied with mere stains, it consumes natural stone and its underlying materials.
Is algae a good breeder?
Algae is an excellent breeder, so it requires you to take action the moment you spot dark stains. The safest way to achieve that is to pick up the phone and call the pros. That way, you won’t have to risk life and limb in your fight against household damage.
Can a shingle roof cause algae?
Shingles are more delicate than they might seem, so over-enthusiastic cleaning methods can cause more algae growth than they prevent. If your roof is brittle or you see thick moss, even gentle raking can cause damage. Power washing is even more destructive to asphalt. Granulated zinc sulfate monohydrate can gently clear moss ...
Can algae damage a roof?
The resultant damage destroys your roof’ mineral granule coating, exposing it to secondary destruction. Algae can even cause skyrocketing utility bills by heating your home and raising your cooling expenses. Basic scrubbing won’t achieve much, though, so you need an aggressive multi-pronged approach.
Why does my roof have moss?
If your home receives a great deal of shade, or you live in a rainy, humid area, then chances are you’ll experience moss or algae on your roof. In many parts of North Carolina, residential roofs have moss or algae growth due to the climate. Algae thrive on the moist sea air found along the coast, while the humidity in the inland parts ...
Why do shingles curl?
Shingles are meant to lie flat against the roof in order to promote watershed and proper drainage. Over time, moss will grow up the pitch of the roof, which causes shingles to lift or curl. The lifting of shingles will eventually cause water intrusion, moisture damage, wood rot, and even roof leaks.
What is copper infused shingles?
Copper-infused shingles prevent algae and moss from growing. Some companies use zinc in combination with copper to prevent these types of growths. Installing copper-infused asphalt shingles on your home will ensure that you'll never have to worry about moss or algae again.
What do algae and moss need to grow?
So what do algae and moss need in order to grow? All it takes is warm to cool air, moisture, and protection from sunlight. If you’re struggling with moss on your shingles, or algae along your roof, there are some steps you can take to rid your roof of this pesky growth.
Is algae dangerous on a roof?
Algae and moss growth on your roof is not only unsightly but can be dangerous to your residential roofing system. Learning how to distinguish between moss and algae, and how to prevent both types of growths will keep your roof protected. If you are struggling with moss or algae on your roof, call a residential roofing professional who can evaluate ...
Is algae the same as moss?
Moss and algae are not the same. Moss is a plant that tends to build up into little mounds on the roof. If allowed to grow unchecked, it will accumulate into rounded tufts. Moss on your roof is typically green throughout the wet times of the year but can turn greenish-brown during the drier seasons. Algae is not a plant, but an organism spread by ...
Is it safe to clean a roof?
Get Your Roof Professionally Cleaned - Professional roofing companies will know the safest and most effective ways to clean your roof. Improper cleaning can cause granule loss on shingles or other damage, resulting in roof leaks or worse. This is why DIY roof cleaning is not recommended.
What is Roof Algae?
The black mold-like stains and streaks that appear on roofs, particularly light-colored asphalt shingles, is actually a blue-green algae (Gloeocapsa magma). Commonly found in climates with warm, humid summers, it does no damage to the roofing, but it certainly does looks bad.
How to keep algae from coming back?
To keep the algae from coming back, insert 6-inch-wide strips of zinc or copper under the row of shingling closest to the roof peak, leaving an inch or two of the lower edge exposed to the weather.
Who installs zinc strip on roof?
Tom Silva installs a zinc strip to keep roof algae from coming back.
Can you replace shingles with copper?
You could replace all the roofing with new shingles dark enough to disguise the staining, or with shingles laced with copper granules, which are lethal to algae. But that would only make sense if the shingles were worn out.