Algae Growing On Roof Shingles

The black streaks on your roof don t appear for everyone they usually only appear on roofs in humid parts of the country.

Algae growing on roof shingles. If that top layer of moss gets heavy enough the moisture seeps under the roof shingles and into the understructure. Known as black algae or roof mold gloeocapsa magma is usually blamed on dirt accumulation mold and mildew or defective shingles. What happens is the algae grows and becomes food for the moss. Algae itself is not that dangerous but it causes.

It causes the black stains you may see on your roof. The most common class of roof algae is gloeocapsa magma a bacterium that eats water and expels oxygen. Large trees that produce lots of shade on a roof can also foster the growth of moss and algae as evidenced by my own west facing roof. Commonly found in climates with warm humid summers it does no damage to the roofing but it certainly does looks bad.

Roof algae generally have a black green hue. You may think you have roof algae when really you have moss mildew or mold. The black mold like stains and streaks that appear on roofs particularly light colored asphalt shingles is actually a blue green algae gloeocapsa magma. Algae grow most often on wood and asphalt shingles or concrete tiles especially if they do not get a lot of sunlight.

As for europe and united states it concerns majority of the territory therefore your roof is never 100 algae safe here and it is advised to use algae resistant roofing shingles. This takes place if the growth is ignored. It used to get covered with moss and algae. It s actually just a blue green algae spread by airborne spores.

Not only is algae a major concern another concern is the possible damage over time from the algae eating holes in your roof resulting in water damage. The issue with a dirty roof is not only visually standing out the algae and mildew growing on the roof can actually eat away at the shingles resulting in a shortened lifespan for your roof. Common algae that form on roof surfaces including asphalt shingles and roll roofing include the algae shown above and gleocapsa magma a species that generally appears black on the roof surface but under some lighting conditions even on the roof gleocapsa magma can appear as a blue green color as might other algae genera species. While some people actually like the look of moss on their roof they may be unaware that it can damage your roof even promote rot.

This brings mold build up and eventually decay. Morning dew and rainfall tend to evaporate slower on these surfaces because of the minimal amount of direct sunlight these roof surfaces receive.