CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM
At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.
Why it’s Important to Keep your Roof Clean
The roof is among the most significant components of any building. It’s there to serve as a weatherproof covering for the house, but it’s always exposed to the weather and thus gets more than its fair share of wearing and strain. A lot of debris can accumulate on the top of a roof over time. Roofs which are frequently moist or in the shadow are susceptible to moss, algae, and fungus.
Removing stains and discoloration from the top of a roof could have a significant impact on its visual look. Roof cleaning may increase a building’s lifetime as well as improve its looks. Many organic chemicals will damage the roof’s structure over time. Organic material can induce rotting in wood and brittleness in tile and shingle. Roof cleaning for lichen, mildew, fungus, or moss aids in preventing this damage and extending the life of your roof.
Lastly, while performing roof cleaning for fungus, mildew, lichen, and other contaminants, experts can assess the general state of the roof. This frequently results in little flaws being found early, which can prevent minor errors from becoming more significant and saving a lot of time, expense, and trouble in the near future.
Your roof is exposed to the elements all day, every day. Dirt and debris will collect on it. Natural rainfall is typically enough to wash off the appearance of most dirt. However, the dark stains and green areas that appear on your roof are caused by other natural elements:
Algae
Fungus/Lichen
Moss
These substances are much trickier than simple dirt and require some explanation.
Algae, Fungus, Lichen, and Moss can wreak havoc on your roof.
Algae
Black stains are called gloeocapsa magma or GM. GM algae is a bacterium that feeds off of both asphalt and limestone roofing in moist, cool and shaded areas of the roof. When there is minimal light, GM forms a blue-green color. The more shaded areas of the roof are more likely to have these algae, which can harbor various types of molds. This explains why some roofs are stained only on one side.
A report by the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturing Association (ARMA) notes that these algae spores are transported by wind or animals. They can quickly spread from rooftop to rooftop in neighborhoods of single family homes, townhomes and apartment complexes.
Yep, that “dirt” that you see on your roof, rarely ever is actually just dirt. The most common kind of growth on your roof is algae, and you’ll usually identify it by black-streaks, kind of like dirt was smeared on your roof. This is a great example of a filthy roof, and what it looks like after some solid cleaning with bleach and soft pressure.
Lichens
Lichens are basically the combination of algae and fungus. ARMA describes lichens as fungus that grow symbiotically with algae. These plant-like organisms form a branching growth of “root-like tentacles that penetrate deep into the shingle’s organic, oil base for nourishment.” Lichens are tough to remove from the roof and can reappear from humidity and rain.
Moss
Unlike the algae and lichens, moss is an actual plant. Moss has a shallow root system and requires a lot of moisture to survive. Areas with less sunlight remain damp longer. Overhanging tree branches not only provide more shade, but they also drop debris that serves as a food source for moss. Like algae, moss spores are often transferred by wind or animals and can easily spread throughout neighborhoods.
Note:
Algae itself isn’t inherently risky, or harmful to your roof- but it’s usually a “gateway” towards much more harmful bacterial and fungal growths on your roof. For example, Lichen is an incredibly damaging growth that can cause leaks, and actually strip protective coatings from your roof. It only grows when algae and fungus combine. In some other cases, much more extreme, you might have moss, lichen, or fungus growing on your roof.
Of all these potential roof organisms, the worst, by far, tends to be moss. That’s because most needs a substantial amount of water to survive and thrive, and all of that humidity just gets trapped on your roof- eventually making its way into your attic and ceilings. Lichen, on the other hand, is also very dangerous and damaging, but for a different reason. Lichen is extremely “clingy” and really sticks to your tiles or shingles, often leaving actual holes in your roof material when it’s cleaned off.
So, in summary- cleaning your roof helps you avoid any algae, fungus, or lichen growing on your roof- which prevents any moisture from making its way into your roof, and also prevents your roof material from breaking down.
How Can Stains Damage a Roof?
The stains and growth patches caused by algae, fungus and moss can damage your roof through shingle deterioration and wood rot. Both lead to expensive repairs and can shorten the life of your roof. A roof cleaning can help minimize or eliminate this damage.
Shingle Damage
As mentioned above, GM algae is a bacterium that feeds off of both asphalt and limestone. That means that these organisms are literally eating away at your shingles. Furthermore, according to ARMA, roofs with algae stains absorb heat. This results in an extremely high heat in the attic, which can reduce the lifespan of the shingles by essentially baking them from the inside out.
Lichen colonies can be quite damaging to shingles. The penetrating tentacles create pock marks where they grow and eventually ruin the shingles. Moss is even more detrimental to roof shingles. Moss can cause the edges of the shingles to lift or curl (often the first sign that a roof replacement is needed). Because moss holds in moisture, it can freeze in the winter, causing even more shingle damage.
Wood Rot
Moss has the ability to hold in moisture and divert water, which makes your roof deck susceptible to wood rot and leaks. Moss tends to grow in the slots between shingles, which is the last place water evaporates from a roof. Moss growth on your roof is easy to spot. But the signs of wood rot are not always obvious to the average homeowner. You may have a leak and you don’t even know it. This will cause even more wood damage. Wood rot not only shortens the life of your roof, it can cause mold growth, which can be hazardous to homeowners and their pets.
Do you have guests in your attic or on your roof? Unwanted critters can cause more damage when the wood begins to rot. Animals, such as squirrels, have been known to cause roof and attic damage by chewing through areas of the roof and supporting wood systems. Rotted wood makes it easier for these creatures to bore through.
The roof is among the most significant components of any building. It’s there to serve as a weatherproof covering for the house, but it’s always exposed to the weather and thus gets more than its fair share of wearing and strain. A lot of debris can accumulate on the top of a roof over time. Roofs which are frequently moist or in the shadow are susceptible to moss, algae, and fungus, while those in city centers are frequently discolored due to air pollutants.
Removing stains and discoloration from the top of a roof could have a significant impact on its visual look. Roof cleaning may increase a building’s lifetime as well as improve its looks. Many organic chemicals will damage the roof’s structure over time. Organic material can induce rotting in wood and brittleness in tile and shingle. Roof cleaning for lichen, mildew, fungus, or moss aids in preventing this damage and extending the life of your roof.
Lastly, while performing roof cleaning for fungus, mildew, lichen, and other contaminants, experts can assess the general state of the roof. This frequently results in little flaws being found early, which can prevent minor errors from becoming more significant and saving a lot of time, expense, and trouble in the near future.
A clean roof is an asset when you’re selling your home.
At some point in your life, you’ve driven past a clean roof and a dirty roof. If you took the time to analyze them, you’d easily realize the difference. A clean roof, and a clean house, say a lot about the owners, especially when it comes time to sell. It’s very hard to quantify how much extra cash you’ll get for your home if your roof is clean, but one thing is for sure- it’ll catch more eyes and draw more people in for walkthroughs. So, even if the bottom line isn’t affected, the amount of time it’ll take to get your hands off your hands definitely will.
Should you clean your roof?
Roof cleaning is necessary to extend the life of the roof’s structure and to prevent the development of moss and mold. Various roofing materials provide protection against the development of certain conditions. Thus, it is necessary to understand which type of care is required for your specific roof. When lichen, algae, as well as other problems occur on asphalt shingles, you may be able to eliminate them.
How Often Should I Clean My Roof?
Generally, you must have your roof cleaned and repaired once per year. It was often sufficient so that if problems arise, they could be addressed early. Consider cleaning your roof every 2 years if you have a modern roof because it is more likely to be in good condition. Consider having your roof inspected as soon as possible after exceptionally bad weather.
CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM
Black stains are called gloeocapsa magma or GM. GM algae is a bacterium that feeds off of both asphalt and limestone roofing in moist, cool and shaded areas of the roof. When there is minimal light, GM forms a blue-green color. The more shaded areas of the roof are more likely to have these algae, which can harbor various types of molds. This explains why some roofs are stained only on one side.
