Why is my roof black? If you are starting to notice dark black streaks across your roof, then you are likely dealing with Gloeocapsa Magma. This is a species of bacteria that can grow on roofs and cause unsightly black sections and streaking. Other organic growths that can form on your roof and cause unsightly streaks is moss, mold, mildew, & algae. Though the presence of the of these organisms is a minor issue to start with, allowing this problem to persist will undoubtedly lead to bigger issues down the road. Dark streaks, or roof discoloration happens in varying degrees across the U.S., especially in areas exposed to warm, humid conditions. It is most widespread in the eastern United States and is commonly found on roofs with northern exposure. Why is it important to address these black streaks on my roof? Over time, these algae will accumulate on your shingles in the form of blotches or streaks. The longer you allow your roof to harvest these organisms, the blacker your roof will become until there might not be streaks any longer, but the whole section of the roof is black. A black roof can cause many issues. Roofs are generally made up of asphalt shingles that contain limestone. The limestone makes a roof reflective of the sun, so when the black algae consume your shingles, your roof attracts heat rather than reflects it. This heat is then transferred into your home, which will, in turn, cost you more money to cool the house to offset the heat being generated by your roof. Alongside the financial factor, is the fact that this algae not only covers your shingles but it also feeds on them. Over time, these organisms can significantly weaken your shingles which could lead to shingles failing, causing leaks, and ultimately leading you to have to replace your roof. This leads us into the final and arguably the most alarming factor. Having a dirty covered roof can put your homeowner’s insurance coverage at risk! That's right, you read that correctly. Insurance providers are terminating policies as a result of your roof and siding being covered by organic growths! How can I correct this issue? Roof Cleaning is not a service you want to skimp on and should be left to the professionals. The main reason is that a roof cannot and should not be pressure washed. If you get a bid to have your roof "Pressure Washed," quickly run the other direction, as you will have a whole slew of problems should you let someone use a pressure washer on your roof. Here at A-Grade Pressure Washing in Houston, TX, we use a method called Soft-Washing. Soft-Washing is a technique that combines low-pressure application with a mixture of biocides and water to do the heavy lifting. These biocides kill all of the algae on the roof without causing any damage to your shingles. Don't just take our word for it, here it from Owens Corning the largest asphalt shingle manufacturer in the United States. In their words: "Algae discoloration can be difficult to remove, but may be lightened by spraying a diluted solution of chlorine bleach and water on the roof." Is this process safe for my property, plants, and animals? In consideration of the fact that chemicals are used in our techniques and processes, there are many measures in place to ensure that the rest of your property stays protected throughout the service. We tarp important plants, keep the property wet with water throughout the duration of the service, re-locate any furniture to keep it from getting any overspray on it, and use bleach neutralizers to prevent any harm to plants and wildlife. Dilution is the solution to the pollution! How much should it cost to get my roof washed? There are many factors that determine the cost of a roof cleaning. Some of which include the pitch of the roof, the Square Footage (ft²) of the home, gutter availability, the material costs, the amount of property protection needing to be done, and much more. Due to this, roof cleaning tends to be the highest costing exterior cleaning service. The average costs range anywhere from $400 for a smaller section of the roof, to upwards of $1,500 for the entire roof of an average-sized home. When looking at the effects of the black streaks on your roof and the potential damage they can cause, the cost of a roof cleaning is a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things. Allowing the streaks to take over your roof can cause damage that will lead to you having to replace your roof much sooner than you had planned. With a new roof costing anywhere from $5,000 to upwards of $15,000, a roof cleaning using AGP's Soft-Washing technique is a small price to pay!
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