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Does your roof have black streaks running down it? Did you know that those black streaks are actually a type of bacteria called Gloeocapsa Magma? Did you also know that if left untreated, it will cause serious damage to and destruction of your roof, requiring a premature roof replacement?
Let's answer some questions about Gloeocapsa Magma and other organisms that live on roofs.
"So what causes this stuff to grow on my roof?"
The answer may surprise you. Since around the 1980s, fiberglass roofing manufacturers have been using limestone in the asphalt of the shingles as a cheap filler material. The limestone allows the shingles to hold more moisture, along with more living organisms. This results in a perfect environment with plenty of food for Gloeocapsa Magma (a type of Algae), lichens, and mosses to thrive. The Gloeocapsa Magma begins life as one spore that lands on your roof from a nearby tree, then begins to multiply and spread from there. When the rain comes it drags the spores down the roof, compounding the effects even further, while also creating the ugly "streaking" appearance.
"Well what's so bad about these little organisms living on my roof; they can't hurt much can they?"
YES! Since they feed on the moisture and organisms in the shingles, they're literally eating away at your roof! This causes significant granule loss from the shingles, leading to premature degrading of the roof, requiring a total replacement roof much earlier than expected. Not to mention the ugly appearance your home presents, reducing curb appeal, resale value and more.
"So how do we get rid of it?"
Fear not, all of these damaging organisms can be safely killed and removed, preserving the integrity of your roof as well as restoring its appearance to its former glory. The process involves spraying a chemical solution containing bleach and soaps onto your roof via low pressure. This part is important. The amount of pressure used on a roof should be as little as possible, so as to avoid damaging the roof even further. Some contractors may opt to use extremely high pressure from a pressure washer to clean your roof. This is not the correct way to do the job and will surely damage the shingles. The whole idea is to protect the roof, remember? Our system uses less pressure than most garden hoses, so there will be no additional damage done to any roofs we clean. You'll sleep well at night knowing that you have saved money in the long run by extending the life of your roof as much as possible.
"Won't the bleach hurt my plants and lawn?"
Sodium hypochlorite. That's the name of the active ingredient found in bleach. While it does have the potential to cause damage to plants and lawns, if used safely and responsibly, the risks are negligible. When diluted with water, sodium hypochlorite breaks down and becomes totally non-harmful to the environment. You can rest assured that we are proficient in the handling and application of all our materials, and proud of our results.
"So what causes this stuff to grow on my roof?"
The answer may surprise you. Since around the 1980s, fiberglass roofing manufacturers have been using limestone in the asphalt of the shingles as a cheap filler material. The limestone allows the shingles to hold more moisture, along with more living organisms. This results in a perfect environment with plenty of food for Gloeocapsa Magma (a type of Algae), lichens, and mosses to thrive. The Gloeocapsa Magma begins life as one spore that lands on your roof from a nearby tree, then begins to multiply and spread from there. When the rain comes it drags the spores down the roof, compounding the effects even further, while also creating the ugly "streaking" appearance.
"Well what's so bad about these little organisms living on my roof; they can't hurt much can they?"
YES! Since they feed on the moisture and organisms in the shingles, they're literally eating away at your roof! This causes significant granule loss from the shingles, leading to premature degrading of the roof, requiring a total replacement roof much earlier than expected. Not to mention the ugly appearance your home presents, reducing curb appeal, resale value and more.
"So how do we get rid of it?"
Fear not, all of these damaging organisms can be safely killed and removed, preserving the integrity of your roof as well as restoring its appearance to its former glory. The process involves spraying a chemical solution containing bleach and soaps onto your roof via low pressure. This part is important. The amount of pressure used on a roof should be as little as possible, so as to avoid damaging the roof even further. Some contractors may opt to use extremely high pressure from a pressure washer to clean your roof. This is not the correct way to do the job and will surely damage the shingles. The whole idea is to protect the roof, remember? Our system uses less pressure than most garden hoses, so there will be no additional damage done to any roofs we clean. You'll sleep well at night knowing that you have saved money in the long run by extending the life of your roof as much as possible.
"Won't the bleach hurt my plants and lawn?"
Sodium hypochlorite. That's the name of the active ingredient found in bleach. While it does have the potential to cause damage to plants and lawns, if used safely and responsibly, the risks are negligible. When diluted with water, sodium hypochlorite breaks down and becomes totally non-harmful to the environment. You can rest assured that we are proficient in the handling and application of all our materials, and proud of our results.
Call us today for a free consultation and estimate!
