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What Makes the Streaks? The black streaks running down roofs are actually a hardy algae called Gloeocapsa magma. As the blue-green algae accumulate, they develop a dark, hardened outer coating, which results in the black stains you see. The algae feed on the limestone in shingles.
How do you remove black streaks from shingles?
A mixture of trisodium phosphate (TSP), bleach, and water will also remove stains. Oxygen bleach lightens stains as well and is less harmful to the environment, but it doesn’t produce as immediate or dramatic an effect as chlorine bleach.
What does it mean when roof shingles turn black?
Those black streaks on your roof shingles are most likely an algae called gloeocapsa magma, or as it is more commonly referred to, a blue-green or black algae. Algae is a solid deposit of spores and dirt, another form of mold. Do NOT pressure wash your roof; one wrong angle and you can damage the shingles.
What is the best cleaner for roof shingles?
of laundry strength liquid chlorine bleach and water. This is the best way to clean a roof if you have asphalt shingles. After spraying the roof with the mixture, allow it to sit on the surface for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with clean water.
Will bleach hurt roof shingles?
If applied with an appropriate water-bleach ratio, then bleach will definitely not damage your asphalt shingles. Spray a solution of 50% Bleach and 50% Water all over the roof. By the time you’re done spraying down the roof, you can start softwashing immediately, this doesn’t take long for the bleach to work.
Can you pressure wash a shingle roof?
NEVER aim your pressure washer up the roof, as it can push water under the shingles. Spraying water under your shingles can both tear off the shingles and force water under them and into your home. You shouldn’t have to pressure wash your roof any more than once every year or two at most.
Will vinegar damage asphalt shingles?
Vinegar. Vinegar will not hurt roof shingles and is the best way to clean asphalt shingles. Vinegar bough at the store will have different concentrations of acetic acid. 5% is adequate for most roof damage, although you can go as high as 25% for very stained roofs.
What causes roof discoloration?
If you have noticed discoloration or any type of dark streaks along your roof shingles, it is likely you are experiencing some type of algae growth. Caused by blue-green algae called gloeocapsa magma, the spores float through the air and eventually bind themselves to your roof.
Do shingles blisters turn black?
Shingles rash starts as small bumps that are discolored compared to your surrounding skin, often appearing dark pink, purple, or brown. These then turn into raised white or grey vesicles surrounded by discolored skin. Shingles vesicles eventually break open and scab over, taking several weeks to heal completely.
What is the black stain on my roof?
Roof experts say black streaks are caused by an algae known as gloeocapsa magma. Airborne spores deposit it on your roof, where it soaks up plenty of sunlight for photosynthesis and munches on the limestone filler in your shingles. Humid areas of the country are most susceptible to dark streaks from algae.
How do I get rid of gloeocapsa magma?
Luckily, the Gloeocapsa Magma Algae can be removed by thorough roof cleaning using quality roof algae cleaners. Because the algae is spread by the wind, annual roof shingle care and prevention is needed to prevent the Gloeocapsa Magma Algae from returning.
Does Spray and forget work on roofs?
A: Yes, Spray & Forget will work on almost any exterior surface and actually works faster on these surfaces then on roof surfaces. Apply 5 gallons of water to 1 gallon of Spray & Forget mixture to these surfaces. Green stains will disappear in 1-3 days and black stains in 1-8 weeks. Do not rinse!.
Does wet and forget work on asphalt shingles?
Wet & Forget contains no hazardous bleach or acidic chemicals so it won’t harm your roof’s shingles. Wet & Forget cleans thoroughly so surfaces stay cleaner, longer.
Is Roof Cleaning a good idea?
One reason to clean your roof is to extend the life of your shingles or other roofing material. While algae isn’t harmful to asphalt shingles, moss is, according to ARMA. Luckily for you, the National Roofing Contractors Association advises against any DIY work on your roof, including cleaning it.
How do you remove stains from asphalt shingles?
Mix up some oxygen bleach with water, put it into a pump spray and spray it on the roof. After 10-15 minutes, scrub it on the shingle with a brush and rinse it off the roof. This is also a more environmentally friendly method. You can also use household bleach and water to remove stains.
How do you clean algae off roof shingles?
The most effective method of cleaning algae and moss from a roof is with a 50:50 mix of laundry strength liquid chlorine bleach and water. Apply with a sprayer and allow the solution to dwell on the roof surface for 15 to 20 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with low pressure water.
Is soft washing a roof safe?
Soft washing is the only way to effectively remove this algae without damaging the shingles and voiding any warranty. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association recommends low-pressure bleach or detergent assisted washing as the preferred method for cleaning asphalt roofs in order to prevent damage to the shingles.
