Roof Shingles Have Dark Streaks

Although these dark spots and ugly black streaks on your roof may look like dirt mildew soot or mold what they really are is algae.

Roof shingles have dark streaks.

The algae feed on the limestone in shingles. Fill a large bucket with 1 gallon of hot water 1 qt. If you re seeing black streaks running along your roof chances are you ve mistaken them for dirt or even mold. What are the black streaks on my roof.

Here s why algae grows on roofs. Rather they are caused by a hardy algae known as. The black streaks running down roofs are actually a hardy algae called gloeocapsa magma. How to remove black stains from roof shingles.

The most common type is known as gloeocapsa magma also known as blue green algae. This algae growth usually begins as small spots and then eventually becomes visible streaks. This isn t unique to abandoned houses either. Black streaking on roofs is a common problem.

It might be surprising to know that those dark streaks on the shingles are actually caused by algae and not by the usual suspects of tar or dirt. Black streaks on shingles aren t caused by leaking tar. But now this black algae is termed a roof shingle algae because of. They re actually algae otherwise known as gloeoapsa magma and they are as nasty as they are resilient.

The algae will worsen and become more noticeable each year trapping moisture and causing premature shingle aging and granule loss. Wet down the roof with water from the garden hose. It is important that the roof be wet when the cleaning mixture is applied or it may. Over time this algae accumulates developing a black outer coating which causes stains on roof shingles.

Because the shingles hold moisture for long periods of time algae can begin growing and actually feed off of the limestone in the shingles. The black streaks are also known as black algae or roof mold. Almost without fail every photo of an abandoned house would have black streaks on roof shingles. Those black streaks on your shingles may look like problems with old age or damage but they are really caused by algae specifically gloeocaspa magma is usually to blame for those wavy dark shades that grow as the algae bloom spreads.

Many home owners are surprised to discover that the once clean asphalt roof shingles have been slowly covered with a form of roof mold or mildew that appears as a light discoloration and spreads down the roof toward the gutters. While the streaks do not cause a great deal of damage they can cause the shingle to age prematurely. Algae arrive on the rooftop through the air in the form of spores or clumps of cells. Technically the black streaks on roofs are a form of algae known as gloeocapsa magma.

If you live in a humid area of the country you ve probably seen unsightly dark streaks on asphalt shingle roofs. Of chlorine bleach and a quarter cup of. It can happen to homes that are otherwise maintained very well but why.