How Did My Roof Get Algae

You may think you have roof algae when really you have moss mildew or mold.

How did my roof get algae.

The most common class of roof algae is gloeocapsa magma a bacterium that eats water and expels oxygen. All of these options have been tested and show clear signs of decreasing and eventually preventing algae growth. Algae grow most often on wood and asphalt shingles or concrete tiles especially if they do not get a lot of sunlight. A copper strip at the top of the roof can prevent future roof algae.

To remove roof algae a solution of oxygen bleach can be applied to the roof shingles and then rinsed off. Algae spores are airborne. Roof algae prevention tips. When it comes to preventing algae there are in fact several things homeowners and roofers can do.

Roof algae generally have a black green hue. Why do shingles get algae. Although algae can be found on all types of roofing it tends to be most common on asphalt shingles. Thousands of roof on homes and other buildings suffer from black streaks.

This is what makes those unattractive black streaks on your roof. The roof algae is doesn t harm the shingles but looks bad. 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.