Do you have black stains on your asphalt shingle roof? If so you many need professional roof cleaning services to brighten your roof and kill off any unwanted and harmful mold, mildew, or bacteria.
Roof Cleaning
These black streaks or stains are photosynthesizing bacteria, (Cyanobacteria) called Gloeocapsa Magma and will cause harm to your roof. Your shingles were scientifically engineered to reflect the UV rays with a granular silicon aggregate. These black stains actually coat this aggregate allowing the attraction of sun and heat while also holding moisture. A professional roof cleaning can remove it and prevent further growth.
Why are there Black Stains on My Roof?
Asphalt shingles used to be asphalt. To cut costs in manufacturing shingles, at some point in the late 70s, asphalt shingle manufacturers started adding limestone in the manufacturing process as a cheap filler and stabilizer. Over the years and as petroleum costs have risen, more and more limestone is being added while there’s less asphalt.
Black streaks are Gloeocapsa Magma and eventually turn into green algae and lichens which hold mosture, feed off the shingles and shorten the life of your roof.
Limestone just happens to be the favorite food of this bacteria/algae. It actually feeds off the organic limestone material within your shingle.
Your roof eventually becomes an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord for this bacteria literally feeding off the limestone in your shingles.
It can often take many years for the black streaks to appear but once they do, they spread rapidly. Temperature changes, heat, and moisture greatly accelerate optimal growing conditions and eventually moss and lichens will start to appear, causing even more damage to your roof.
These black streaks on your roof, the bacteria and algae start out as a spore and can be easily carried from roof to roof by wind, trees, small animals, and nature. If you have black streaks, chances are you’re not the only one in your neighborhood.
If you are starting to see black streaks on your asphalt shingles in the Grand Rapids area, contact us because we have a safe solution that slows down and stops the growth of this bacteria and will revitalize your roof. Not only will your roof look better but you’ll prolong the life of your shingle and save money on air conditioning costs during the summer months.
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