How Did My Roof Get Algae

The most common class of roof algae is gloeocapsa magma a bacterium that eats water and expels oxygen.

How did my roof get algae.

That way whenever it rains some of the metal molecules will wash down the roof and kill any algae trying to regain a foothold on your shingles. The roof algae is doesn t harm the shingles but looks bad. Thousands of roof on homes and other buildings suffer from black streaks. Roof algae generally have a black green hue.

Algae grow most often on wood and asphalt shingles or concrete tiles especially if they do not get a lot of sunlight. Although algae can be found on all types of roofing it tends to be most common on asphalt shingles. To remove roof algae a solution of oxygen bleach can be applied to the roof shingles and then rinsed off. When it comes to preventing algae there are in fact several things homeowners and roofers can do.

Why do shingles get algae. This is what makes those unattractive black streaks on your roof. Gloeocapsa has the ability to form a protective darkly pigmented outer coating that shields the algae from damaging uv rays. 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.

You may think you have roof algae when really you have moss mildew or mold. A copper strip at the top of the roof can prevent future roof algae. Roof algae prevention tips.