We provide safe ultra-low pressure roof cleaning systems that remove those unattractive black stains that develop from airborne spores gloeocapsa magma amra that attach themselves to the surface of your asphalt shingle – tile or metal roof surfaces over time this invasive organism is feeding it way around the calcium carbonate granules embedded in your asphalt shingles causing gravel loss & premature failure of your roof.

Tile & metal roof surfaces are affected by those unsightly black streaks that over time will multiply its way under tile edges or metal standing seams causing it to return in a much shorter interval. We use biodegradable cleaning solutions that will safe for plants and pets. Let Hydro Tech Services give your roof a shampoo!

Give us a call at (904) 703-0982 or contact us for more information/consult.

ARMA

Asphalt roof shingles with algae stains
Asphalt roof shingles with algae stains

Potential Hazards

A dirty roof is not just an eyesore that reduces the curb appeal of a home but could also be a disaster in the future. Regardless of how you clean the rest of the structure, an unsightly roof still tends to stand out and could be a big expense in the long run.

Gloeocapsa magma. Ever hear of it before? Perhaps you haven’t heard of it but we guarantee that you have seen it. Curious?

Gloeocapsa magma is the algae that grows on composition shingles, causing unsightly streaks and stains. The amount of gloeocapsa magma on a rooftop is a common way in which people estimate the age and condition of a home’s roof. If a home has a lot of dark streaks on the roof, prospective buyers of that home assume the roof is on its last legs and, as a result, the roof condition becomes a bargaining point for the home’s value. Beyond that, these dark stains also have a huge bearing on the curb appeal of a home. If you’re like most homeowners, that means something to you. You want your home to look as nice as possible and gloeocapsa magma just detracts from its overall beauty.

Here’s the issue though. Whereas it used to be that dark streaks were primarily a problem on roofs in damp climates, we now see it occurring on roofs in virtually all climates. And, it’s not really a marker of roofs that have some age on them. We see gloeocapsa magma occurring on roofs that have been up as few as three years, making a roof look much older than it really is!

So, what has changed?

In order to keep down the cost of composition shingles, manufacturers have begun to include more “fillers” in their “recipes”. These fillers replace some of the oils in the shingles. Of course, those oils are normally the most costly component of the shingles. Removing the oils often seems to shorten the lives of the shingles, making them less resilient and supple. But, an additional problem is that the gloeocapsa magma feeds off of those fillers, leading to the unsightly streaks and stains.

A predominate filler used in composition shingles, because it is so plentiful and inexpensive, is limestone. It is the calcium carbonate in limestone that gloeocapsa magma really likes to feed off of, along with moisture that naturally collects on a roof’s surface. Once the algae growth becomes noticeable as those dark streaks on the roof, gravity and rainwater flowing down the roof carry the spores down the roof, causing the commonly seen pattern of streaks extending downward on the roof. And, as the algae feeds off of the limestone over time, it invades the structure of the shingles and shortens their lives.

Recent years have seen the growth of a “roof cleaning industry”. This industry targets homeowners who want to get rid of the dark streaks and stains on their roofs. There are two primary ways in which this cleaning is done – one is by power washing and the other is through the use of harsh chemicals. Both of these processes, especially if done repeatedly, are documented to shorten the life of the roofing shingles by further breaking them down.

Moss growth is promoted by a shady and damp climate. It also grows more easily on hard surfaces and in an acidic environment.

What are the Consequences of Moss on your Roof?

Although many people don’t see moss as an aesthetic problem, it causes more harm than you might think. Moss certainly isn’t friendly for roofs, especially those built with asphalt shingles. This is first because as the moss grows on an asphalt roof it can raise up the shingles, just like a jack would beneath a car. In turn, this allows water to flow beneath, which can lead to rotting and leaks in the roof. If roof shingles are raised, this can also pose problems in heavy wind. The wind will catch them as it catches a sail and can raise them even further or tear them away from the roof.

The presence of moss can also cause more debris to become trapped on the roof and this, in turn, promotes the build-up of water, which again could lead to rotting and leaking. Furthermore, moss can directly damage the components of the asphalt shingles, causing them to break down much more quickly and therefore decreasing the life of the tiles.