Black Streaks On My Roof

Algae growth on asphalt shingles.

Black streaks on my roof.

Algae growth may cause discoloration on roofs resulting in brown or black streaks on a rooftop. Many home owners are surprised to discover that the once clean asphalt roof shingles have been slowly covered with a form of roof mold or mildew that appears as a light discoloration and spreads down the roof toward the gutters. The streaks are caused by a type of algae known as gloeocapsa magma. A roofing contractor just tried to sell me a new roof for 10 700.

In about two weeks i noticed a significant improvement in the roof and a week or so later i would say 75 of the streaks were gone. Black streaks on shingled roofs are a common though mysterious sight. Technically the black streaks on roofs are a form of algae known as gloeocapsa magma. Algae may be mistaken for soot dirt or tree droppings most of which typically produce only localized discoloration.

Why are there dark streaks on my roof. The algae feed off of the limestone within the roof shingles. You ll typically see gloeocapsa magma forming on areas of your roof that don t receive direct sunlight. While not immediately damaging they can prematurely age shingles.

Why you re seeing black spots or streaks. The most common type is known as gloeocapsa magma also known as blue green algae. What are the black streaks on my roof. Over time this algae accumulates developing a black outer coating which causes stains on roof shingles.

The streaks look like mold but they re actually algae colonies that form in your shingles and feed on moisture and the limestone filler agents in the shingles. There were visible dark streaks that made me think i needed to replace my roof to improve the appearance of my house. The black roof stains are caused by a form of algae that has been around for. The black streaks running down roofs are actually a hardy algae called gloeocapsa magma.

While the streaks do not cause a great deal of damage they can cause the shingle to age prematurely. As the blue green algae. I tried this product on the north side of my roof about two months ago. What are those ugly black streaks on my roof.

Here s what they are and what to do about them. Roof is now 8 years old. Believe it or not those black streaks only appear on roofs in certain areas of the country. The black streaks are also known as black algae or roof mold.

When the algae become airborne they travel from roof to roof. My new owemins corning roof started turning black from original grey color 5 years ago. Those that tend to be the most humid furthermore they will only appear on the north side of the roof.