What Is Gloeocapsa Magma?
Roof Algae & How To Clean It
Your roof can accumulate more than just dirt and leaves. Left to its own devices, your roofing system could also produce something more hideous for your home: algae. A roof may acquire various types of algae, lichens, and fungi as bacteria take over. Many homeowners confuse algae for “roof mold.” In most cases, however, it is really a blue-green type of algae and when it dies it leaves dark streaks on your roof.
Algae can cause repulsive stains and growths on your new roof. It will proceed to worsen year after year till you advance in professional cleaning. You’ll obtain everything you need to understand about roof algae here, in this comprehensive model from the specialists at Clean Coastal Living.
We Train our new technicians on how to identify roof algae, understand the possible dangers it could pose to your home, and grasp when to notify the homeowner when it’s time for roof cleaning, roof repair, or roof replacement.
How to Identify Roof Algae
What does roof algae look like? The answer will depend on the type of problem you are encountering. Most often, roof algae will look like some kind of discoloration to roofing materials. You may remark black stains or streaks, or a coating of green mossy growth. Roof algae can also resemble spots of mold – pointing to the popular misconception. Although mold can develop in your roofing materials if water gets apprehended somewhere if you notice any of the following on top of your roof, algae are more likely your problem:
Black Streaks
Green or white spots
Round lichens
Mosses
Green moss that spreads across your roof
Algae is not the same as mold. Algae is more well-known and not as hazardous to humans. Algae can overtake a fresh roof in four years or less in the right circumstances. If you notice unusual discoloration or vegetative growth defacing the look of your new or current roof, contact Clean Coastal Living for an inspection. Our technicians can verify the existence of algae and advise the best plan of action for your home.
What Prompts Roof Algae?
Algae is a non-flowering aquatic plant that does not have roots or leaves like other plants. Roof algae can develop in several environments. It grows in humid atmospheres, where heat and moisture combine. Algae grow the quickest in shady, damp areas, such as under large trees. It also needs nutrients to maintain surviving on your home. Unfortunately, the limestone filler in most roofing shingles contributes nutrients to the algae spores. The inorganic substances located in your roof will provide the algae to persist, spread, and darken.
Most incidents of roof algae or fungus begin with a single spore obtaining its access to your home. The wind can blow a spore onto your roof, and from there it will take off if the contingencies are favorable enough. Rainy weather can increase the chances of algae expansion, but it does not need rain if there is enough humidity in the air. Overhanging branches, obstructed gutters, standing water, a porous roofing material, and poor roof ventilation can all create roof algae. Taking steps to clear your roof of common problems can aid you to stay advancing of algae growth.
Traditional Types of Roof Bacteria
Roof bacteria can take many various forms. You may think you have roof algae when actually you have moss, mildew, or mold. Roof algae commonly have a black-green hue. Algae grow most frequently on wood and asphalt shingles or concrete tiles, particularly if they do not receive a lot of sunlight. The most common type of roof algae is Gloeocapsa magma, a bacterium that eats water and expels oxygen. It causes the black stains you may notice on your roof. The black stains are accumulations of algae that can block the sun from burning off the bacteria.
Roof lichen is a mixture of both algae and fungus. When these two depend on each other, they can grow living organisms. Lichens will use roots to connect securely to your shingles, making them tricky to remove. If left untreated, lichen can ultimately take off the top layer of your shingle – leaving a lasting blemish on your roof. Roof moss is comparable to lichen in that it also has root-like particles that fasten to your shingles. A moss’s “roots” are rhizoids, and can secure the moss to your roof. The moss can then create a layer of algae/lichen growth on your roof by consolidating windblown soil and spores.
Unlike algae and moss, mold is not a healthful plant. Roof mold can resemble black or brown blotches, or slimy, foul-smelling masses. Mold can occur in areas where your roof has absorbed water. Mildew is related in that it grows on damp exteriors and can cause health problems. Mildew can take a powdery impression and have multiple distinct shades, ranging from black to pink. All types of roof bacteria act as different threats to your roof, home, and health.
8 Ways Roof Algae Can Affect Your Roof
moss on roof
Roof algae is primarily a visible problem but roof mold is not. Roof mold could produce real, lasting damage to your roofing system if left untreated. For any type of damage or stain on your roof, you’ll want to get a roof review done by a professional roof cleaner.
Appearance. One of the first obstacles homeowners experience with roof algae has to do with appearance. Most homeowners only recognize they have algae when it creates ugly black streaks, dark spots, or green mossy fuzz on the roofing system. Roof algae can significantly reduce curb appeal.
Home Value. If you’re trying to sell your home, you may run into issues if you have roof algae. Roof algae are signs that your roofing system could have significant damage, and may need replacing. This can minimize your home’s resale value, until and unless you schedule improvements.
Algae and lichen can adhere to your roof, cause unchanging stains, and ultimately damage the underlying elements.
Wood Rot. If moisture falls down into the wood of your roof, you could have a severe problem on your hands. Standing water can weaken and rot the wood, forever compromising its durability and safety. Wood rot can lead to roof leaks, expensive renovations, and wood replacement.
Mold. Another risk of the moisture caught in your roofing system is the development of real mold. Standing water and humidity, joined with developing algae spores, can be a breeding ground for dangerous mold. Mold can pose grave health risks to you and your family.
Integrity. If you allot an algae and/or mold situation to linger on your roof, it could harm its integrity surpassing the point of simple repairs. Letting algae take over your roofing system for years may make the tiles irreversible, and significantly reduce a new roof’s lifespan. Rotting wood could overpower you to repair a fissiparous roof.
Damage To Other Structures. Algae spores can travel on the wind and easily attach to other constructions on your property. Roof algae may begin on your home, but it won’t be prolonged until you notice comparable growth beginning on the roofs of sheds, barns, and carports. It could even progress to neighbors’ homes, expanding the problem throughout the neighborhood.
Health. Finally, but more importantly, roof algae can ruin health. If algae turn into a mold or mildew problem, your family could be breathing in unhealthy bacteria while spending time in your home or backyard. The earlier you administer with roof algae, the more beneficial for your health and safety.
Roof algae, fungus, mildew, moss, and mold could eventually harm your health. Breathing in mold or mildew spores can cause respiratory difficulties and diseases, allergies, asthma, nausea, vision problems, and other health hazards. It is essential to respond immediately once you distinguish algae on your roof.
How to Get Rid of Roof Algae
Gloeocapsa Magma on Shingles.
Prevention is regularly the best decision for dealing with roof algae. You cannot regulate whether the wind deposits spores onto your roof, but you can prevent the spores from progressing into algae. You must make the roof an unhealthy atmosphere for spores. Multiply the amount of sun on your roof by trimming back overhanging branches. Plan routine roof and gutter maintenance to make sure your roof flows water aside as it should. You could also treat your shingles or shakes with moisture-resistant chemicals.
If it is too overdue to prevent algae, treat the problem instead. Do not venture to eliminate algae from your roof solely. Trying to DIY roof algae cleaning with solutions such as bleach and water could lead to expensive roof leaks or additional moisture becoming trapped beneath your shingles. It could also put you at health risk if you’re not cautious. Furthermore, eliminating the fungus unprofessionally could destroy your shingles – separating them of granules and causing unsightly bare spots.
