Why it's Important to Keep Your Roof Clean

Why it's Important to Keep Your Roof Clean

 

When the siding on the outside of your house is dirty or peeling, it gives the entire house a dismal appearance. As homeowners, we understand that we have a responsibility to keep our homes in good repair - no one wants to come home to a mess, and no one wants to be the owner of the property that the neighbors complain about every time they drive by. Your roof is included in this.

 

A dirty roof can not only detract from the appearance of your home, but it can also cause damage to your roof. That is why it is critical to maintaining the cleanliness of your roof.

 

• It's Not Just Dirt

Every day, your roof is exposed to the elements. It will accumulate dirt and trash. The look of most dirt is usually washed away by natural rainfall. Other natural elements, on the other hand, are to blame for the dark stains and green areas on your roof:

 

• Algae\sFungus/Lichen\sMoss

These substances are far more complicated than ordinary dirt and necessitate some explanation.

 

Gloeocapsa magma, or GM, is the name given to algae black stains. In moist, cool, and shaded areas of the roof, GM alga is a bacterium that feeds on both asphalt and limestone roofing. When there is little light, GM takes on a blue-green hue.

 

These algae, which can contain various sorts of molds, are more likely to be found in the roof's more shadowed parts. This helps to explain why certain roofs are only discolored on one side.

 

These algal spores are conveyed by wind or animals, according to research by the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturing Association (ARMA). In single-family homes, townhomes, and apartment complexes, they can quickly spread from rooftop to rooftop.

 

• Lichens

Lichens are essentially a mix of algae and fungus. Lichens are fungi that grow in a symbiotic relationship with algae, according to ARMA.

 

These plant-like organisms grow in a branching growth of "root-like tendrils that delve deep into the organic, oil basis of the shingle seeking food." Lichens are difficult to remove from the roof, and humidity and rain can cause them to regrow.

 

• Moss

 

Moss, unlike algae and lichens, is a living organism. Moss has a shallow root structure and relies heavily on water to live. Less-lit areas stay damper for longer.

 

Overhanging tree branches not only give additional shade, but they also drop detritus that moss feeds on. Moss spores, like algae, are easily transported by wind or animals, and can quickly spread throughout a neighborhood.

 

What Damage Can Stains Do to a Roof?

Algae, fungus, and moss stains and growth patches can cause shingle deterioration and wood rot, which can lead to roof damage. Both can result in costly repairs and affect the life of your roof. Cleaning your roof with the help of Marietta Roofing might assist to reduce or eliminate this damage.

 

• Damage to the Shingles

GM algae is a bacteria that feeds on both asphalt and limestone, as previously stated. This means that these organisms are consuming your shingles.

 

Roofs with algae stains also absorb heat, according to ARMA. This causes an unusually high temperature in the attic, which can shorten the shingle's lifespan by baking them from the inside out.

 

Shingles can be severely damaged by lichen colonies. The penetrating tentacles leave pockmarks on the shingles as they expand, eventually ruining them. Roof shingles are significantly more vulnerable to moss. The edges of the shingles can lift or curl due to moss, which is frequently the first clue that a roof repair is required. Moss can also freeze in the winter, causing even more shingle damage, because it holds moisture.

 

• On the roof, there is wood decay.

 

Moss has the potential to retain moisture and deflect water, putting your roof deck at risk of damage and leaks. Moss grows in the gaps between shingles, which are the last places on a roof where water evaporates.

 

The presence of moss on your roof is easy to detect. However, the average homeowner may not notice the indicators of wood decay. Wood rot not only reduces the lifespan of your roof, but it can also lead to mold growth, which is dangerous to homeowners and their pets.

 

 

Marietta Roofing  

Marietta, Georgia

(470) 720 5162