Why Are My Atlanta Roofing Shingles Stained Black?
If you have roofing shingles that have been developed dark black stained then you will want to read this article carefully.
Is it mold and why is it developing on your Atlanta Roof? The culprit is known as “black algae”.
What is black algae, why does it develop and what can you do about it?
The answer apparently has to do with what the shingles are actually made of. Most shingles use limestone as a filler which acts as a magnet for black mold. Notice how these questions are answered in this recent article from the Philadelphia Enquirer that interviewed a local roofing company in Philly:
“Black algae really loves the stuff, with all those nutrients, and shady spots on the roof supply constant moisture, keeping the limestone damp and helping the algae grow,” Dunbar said.
The mildew, that green stuff, feeds off the black algae, he said.
Black algae typically takes about 10 years to begin appearing, about the time the 10-year manufacturer’s warranty on algae expires, Dunbar said. Some shingle manufacturers have been adding waste from copper processing to the limestone filler because copper has been proven to deter algae growth.
Here is the million dollar question then … is this black algae hurting or damaging your Georgia roofing shingles?
The article goes on to interview an aspahlt shingle manufacturer. Notice what they say:
“Joe Wertz, sales rep for asphalt-shingle manufacturer CertainTeed of Valley Forge, said his company’s official policy is that the black algae is an aesthetic problem only, and he agrees with that assessment.
DaVinci Roofscapes in Kansas City, Kan., manufactures synthetic shingles from resins. Technical-services director Tim Gentry said black algae might affect long-term performance, but minimally.”
How do you prevent or clean the black mold from your shingles?
Copper strips can be a copper good deterrent to keep black algae from growing. How does it work? Notice how the article continues?
“Roofers nail copper or zinc strips at the peak of the roof above the portion affected by the black algae. When it rains, water reacts with the copper strip, and what is produced – this isn’t a chemistry class – continues down the roof to kill the algae, and the stain disappears.”
What about pressure washing your existing mold?
Be extra careful as pressure washing can actually ruin your shingles even worse than any black mold will ever do as your granules are washed down the drain prematurely. Power wash your home on the most gentle cycle your pressure washer can provide and please…no scrubbing of the shingles!
As regards what to use to kill the black mold? Why not call us now and we will be happy to show you what can be done to help your roof.
http://www.theadvancedroofing.com
Professional Georgia roofing company
770.338.2782
Tags: black mold, roof, roofing, roofing-ga, roofing-georgia, stained roofing shingles, stained shingles roofing-atlanta