This is an exerpt from the 3M web site I came across earlier and couldn't believe this....
Are algae harmful to shingles?
There are no proven damaging effects of algae accumulation on shingles. However, the dark algae streaks are the number one appearance-related problem reported to roofing contractors. Consumers commonly mistake the dark stains for faulty shingles, leading them to complain to the contractor or manufacturer about a shingle's performance.
I mean,really?How can they say that?Does the algae not grow on your roof and the more it accumilates it WILL hold water?Does standing water NOT cause leaksand rot shingles?Somebody needs to tell these people that it IS more than just an appearance issue.The algae IS damaging people's roofs as it grows!
This is an exerpt from the 3M web site I came across earlier and couldn't believe this....
Are algae harmful to shingles?
There are no proven damaging effects of algae accumulation on shingles. However, the dark algae streaks are the number one appearance-related problem reported to roofing contractors. Consumers commonly mistake the dark stains for faulty shingles, leading them to complain to the contractor or manufacturer about a shingle's performance.
I mean,really?How can they say that?Does the algae not grow on your roof and the more it accumilates it WILL hold water?Does standing water NOT cause leaksand rot shingles?Somebody needs to tell these people that it IS more than just an appearance issue.The algae IS damaging people's roofs as it grows!
That's exactly right. Shingles themselves are not fully waterproof. This build up exposes them to continued dampness and heavy algae could even freeze right up on top of it.
Couple that with the fact that algae is feeding on the limestone (which roofing shingle manufacturers have concluded as you indicate is not harmful -believe what you will) and to me, you have a negative state for your shingles. http://www.inspectapedia.com/roof/AsphaltWear.htm
That's why shingles have to be stored dry and not too deep pre-installation and why shingled roofs have to be at least a 3 in 12 slope.
See this pic:
-- Edited by Midtown on Thursday 18th of March 2010 08:43:16 AM
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Midtown Service Solutions
Roof Cleaning Wake ForestNC27587 919-412-2432
Roof Cleaning Wake Forest, Raleigh, Knightdale, Rolesville, Youngsville NC
Very good Midtown and thanks.At least somebody else gets why that bothered me.I mean,I know people generally get roofs replaced because of the looks,but just don't say it doesn't harm shingles,when in fact it does.
Apparently they also seemed to miss that after algae grows it promotes the growth of lichen and moss by providing an organic substance for it to feed off of.
Apparently they also seemed to miss that after algae grows it promotes the growth of lichen and moss by providing an organic substance for it to feed off of.
Here's how moss and lichen can cause even more damage to your shingles:
6. This final stage is when the most damage can occur, when the algae has a thick bedding made and moisture is allowed to soak up into this algae bedding like a sponge, holding many other nutrients that occur by the gradual decomposition of the combination of the dying, re-propagating and shedding of the protective outside layers of the GM algae or husks, in combination with the crushed limestone roof shingle filler "combined" so that the roof now has all the ingredients to grow this moss and lichen.
7. This moss and lichen and algae are like any other plant. They have a root system. Once the roots are firmly planted and embedded in a homeowner’s roof, the roots actually suck or pull nutrients out of the shingle, AND, the roots also tug and pull on the roof shingle GRANULES, thereby dislodging and removing them from the shingle.
Bad for the environment too. They release gasses into the atmosphere that we can do without. And it doesn't bode well for insulating purposes either. Especially if you have a light colored roof which is supposed to not absorb as much heat and then it turns black from not cleaning it and all of the sudden you are absorbing too much heat causing your energy bills to rise.
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Scientists expect that cyanobacteria (also called blue-green algae) or some form of similar life might exist in the form of endolithic biofilms on Mars. Cyanobacteria are one of the oldest forms of life on Earth, and similar forms of life may have developed on other planets like Mars as well. Cyanobacteria are practically ubiquitous on earth. Species of Gloeocapsa form endolithic biofilms on limestone surfaces over much of the U.S., for example. Substantial surface discoloration observed on roofs in the southeast U.S. comes from the cyanobacterium Gloeocapsa magma. The spores are carried by the wind from roof to roof. The cells use shingles as a food source. Gloeocapsa can feed on the calcium carbonate typically used as a filler material to add weight to shingles. The dark color develops over time as the species attempts to protect itself from sunlight-induced damage. Gloeocapsa also forms large communities in areas as diverse as ancient Mayan buildings in Yucatan, Mexico, and as inhospitable as the McMurdo Dry Valley in Antarctica (Banerjee, 2000).
Gloeocapsa is common on damp rocks. Spherical cells are typically found in amorphous colonies of >50 cells. The sheath color is variable. Reproduction occurs by cell division and colony fragmentation as described later in the Results and Discussion. Gloeocapsa sp. produces mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) that serve as UV sunscreens (Garcia, 1993a). Strain C-90-Cal-G accumulates intracellularly an MAA with absorbance maximum at 326 nm, but generates no extracellular sunscreen compound (i.e., scytonemin) (see Fig. 2).
Shortened Roof Life: Here's why: As the algae and fungus grow on your roof, they eat away the base of the shingle and expand and contract with the outside temperature. This growth and movement loosens the granules, creating premature granule loss, dramatically shortening the life of your roof.
Our industry goal should be to quantify the $$$ savings individuals and companies receive by prolonging the life of their roof; backed up with raw scientific data. Find out the max and min lifespans for roofs (assuming quality installation) in our areas or similar climate regions and how much the lifespan is increased. A certain amount of granule loss is expected over the years but can we push it three years, five years, or more with good maintenance? Eight? After some point, you'd be a fool not to get it done. Already my figures are showing a usual payback period at less than year for most roofs. It wouldn't take much to show by verifiable data that you are better off getting your roof cleaned than investing in any market, or in any other home service in the world.
Insurance companies, realtors, homebuyers, homeowners, commercial property owners will all be forced to take note of the tremendous money they can save by investing in roof cleaning rather than reroofing.
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Midtown Service Solutions
Roof Cleaning Wake ForestNC27587 919-412-2432
Roof Cleaning Wake Forest, Raleigh, Knightdale, Rolesville, Youngsville NC