Algae Growth On Roof Shingles

A copper zinc or a galvanized metal strip installed on the ridge of the roof can prevent the growth of moss algae and lichen.

Algae growth on roof shingles. What happens is the algae grows and becomes food for the moss. People who live in all parts of the nation and have roofs made from all sorts of materials wood metal asphalt clay or concrete tiles etc. Though algae resistant shingles will not prevent moss they will help you avoid pesky algae. If that top layer of moss gets heavy enough the moisture seeps under the roof shingles and into the understructure.

Remove debris removing debris from shingles and gutters often especially after a storm is another way to prevent. The best way to get rid of algae once it s taken hold on your roof is to have a professional roof cleaning team come with a low pressure washer and cleaner that will kill the algae and mold but not hurt the plants and grasses around your home. Often algae that is identified as green when studied microscopically also looks black or quite dark on a roof surface. Can have moss and algae accumulate on their roofs.

While studies show that algae growth is not harmful to the building envelope the growth of algae on cool roof specialty shingles can reduce the performance of solar reflectance because the algae spreads across the face of the shingle and covers the reflecting granules that reflect thermal energy from the sun. Algae growth is common on roof surfaces of several materials including asphalt shingles concrete and clay roof tiles and even slate. This brings mold build up and eventually decay. How to prevent algae and moss on roof shingles trim your trees overhanging trees can block sunlight from hitting your roof and can trap moisture from heavy rainfall.

The black mold like stains and streaks that appear on roofs particularly light colored asphalt shingles is actually a blue green algae gloeocapsa magma. Those places that receive more rainfall and have sustained high levels of humidity have more moss and algae growth as the moss and algae need water to grow and multiply. The strip will oxidize over time and wash down the roof plane when it rains making the roof plane. Algae growth won t cause any structural problems to your roof but it looks ugly and it can damage the shingles over time.

Black streaks green or white spots round lichens mosses green moss that spreads across your roof. That moss then collects rainwater like a sponge. Install a metal strip. On an asphalt or possibly some treated wood shingle roofs shingle chemistry is also involved in moss lichens and algae growth or resistance to it.

Some roof shingle materials contain algaecides or fungicides which will also retard moss growth on the roof surface.