If a homeowner calls with a concern over blossoming, dark patches on their roof, you’ll likely be able to tell them right away that they’re dealing with algae. This isn’t an uncommon situation, but it also isn’t one that many customers will want to put up with. Though algae doesn’t do much damage, it still isn’t very nice to look at, some offer some of the following tips and advice to assuage their fears.
Prevent the Growth of Algae on Your Roof
“Dirt or bad shingles” could be responsible for the discoloration that they are seeing, but it’s more likely that they have a blue-green algae issue that’s begun to darken the shingles. It may also be that, once the roof is clean, you (or they) realize that it needs some level of replacement, after all, but that shouldn’t be an assumption going in.
The algae can typically be removed with a quick cleaning. There are a number of different solutions to use for this, but all of them will leave the roof slippery and hazardous, so suggest that the homeowner let a roofing professional handle it to avoid accidents. It’s also important to protect shrubs and other plants that might be below the roof and onto which the mixtures will drain, since those chemicals can easily kill your greenery.
An experienced roofing company knows not to use power washing to remove the algae from a rooftop. Over time, this practice can really wear away at the shingles and cause “premature shingle failure,” which will lead to more costly repairs and replacements down the road.
The most permanent way to keep algae from growing is for there to be an installation of “copper- or zinc-coated sheet metal on the side of the roof below the ridge.” This will interact with rainfall to discourage any algae growth and acts on a continuous basis, unlike a cleaning solution which would need to be applied regularly.
Algae isn’t a huge problem, but it can still be a concern to homeowners. If you have strange, dark patches on your roof, then get in touch with Cox Roofing: you’ll be able to work with a business that has your best interests in mind and which has over thirty years of experience.
Cox Roofing:
Cox Roofing is a full-service, certified roofing contractor providing residential and commercial roofing services to the state of Maryland, with a particular focus on Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Harford County and Howard County. We pride ourselves on our personalized service which transforms your property into the residence or business of your dreams. Get in touch for your free estimate today.
