The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum
"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

Presidential Pressure Washing wrote:

---

Still working on this, but some very interesting things I am finding, but not necessarily good things at this point. some very odd things ....
Kim R

---

You can always point it at Randy, to see if he is getting mad

Ok a quick update on some really strange but possible explanations to what is going on, I think.
I am no scientist that is for sure, so anything done here is unofficial and my own opinion.

Ok so the key to conducting an experiment properly requires a lot of things many more things than my at home laboratory can satisfy.
But I have found some rather odd things with 2 sample of shingles.
One is coated with algae one is not-
I did get a good reading initially
I started with them both registering at 77' degrees in surface temp.
(The weather has not being perfect, for natural sunlight to heat to a temp. to get a good variation in temp readings)
Which is another false in the testing process, in testing using the sun, the temp should always produce a variation between the two just at a lesser scale, Didn't happen. Actually the algae covered shingle was cooler, OK? Hmmm.. thinking why is that.. Opposite of the first one I did gave a 5 degree difference. 

One interesting point.

So then I decided a controlled experiment might give some more info and really heat them up to see if that could be a variable.

Well I did that today, the results were well good and bad and strange.

The starting temp was 77' both read accurately.
I heated them using a 150 watt spotlamp, with a height of about 1" away hovering above side by side samples. I left it for 5 min.
Then started to register temps. The first reading was a positive one
with a variance of a 15' difference
Example A  Algae coated  -157'
Example B  Non Algae       -142'
Ok so I think this is what I was looking of Right? well yes it was  and here is the strange part , bad ? hmmm could be..

The cooling period was really off the charts.
After 13 mins of cooling time the infested shingle dropped to 74' which was lower than the starting temp.  while the Non algae shingle temp was higher @ 95'
Ok so what am I doing wrong here, hmmm .. not sure..

But one thing I do know is that after 20 min.s the Non algae shingle was still very warm to the touch and the Algae shingle was cool with no warmth radiating at all.

So my next thought is to understand that Algae is a sun worshipper but not a great insulator to retain the heat. So all in all I am confused as heck, But I am not done with this by a long shot. Besides it is fun to do

If they do read hotter in the natural sun on a hot day, the theory will only apply under certain circumstances. Which doesn't always read well in the world of science. Just my 2 cents.

Enjoy!
Kim R

Like Chris said I can always measure Rand's temp if he is getting po'd HA!

Presidential Pressure Washing wrote:

---

Ok a quick update on some really strange but possible explanations to what is going on, I think.
I am no scientist that is for sure, so anything done here is unofficial and my own opinion.

Ok so the key to conducting an experiment properly requires a lot of things many more things than my at home laboratory can satisfy.
But I have found some rather odd things with 2 sample of shingles.
One is coated with algae one is not-
I did get a good reading initially
I started with them both registering at 77' degrees in surface temp.
(The weather has not being perfect, for natural sunlight to heat to a temp. to get a good variation in temp readings)
Which is another false in the testing process, in testing using the sun, the temp should always produce a variation between the two just at a lesser scale, Didn't happen. Actually the algae covered shingle was cooler, OK? Hmmm.. thinking why is that.. Opposite of the first one I did gave a 5 degree difference. 

One interesting point.

So then I decided a controlled experiment might give some more info and really heat them up to see if that could be a variable.

Well I did that today, the results were well good and bad and strange.

The starting temp was 77' both read accurately.
I heated them using a 150 watt spotlamp, with a height of about 1" away hovering above side by side samples. I left it for 5 min.
Then started to register temps. The first reading was a positive one
with a variance of a 15' difference
Example A  Algae coated  -157'
Example B  Non Algae       -142'
Ok so I think this is what I was looking of Right? well yes it was  and here is the strange part , bad ? hmmm could be..

The cooling period was really off the charts.
After 13 mins of cooling time the infested shingle dropped to 74' which was lower than the starting temp.  while the Non algae shingle temp was higher @ 95'
Ok so what am I doing wrong here, hmmm .. not sure..

But one thing I do know is that after 20 min.s the Non algae shingle was still very warm to the touch and the Algae shingle was cool with no warmth radiating at all.

So my next thought is to understand that Algae is a sun worshipper but not a great insulator to retain the heat. So all in all I am confused as heck, But I am not done with this by a long shot. Besides it is fun to do

If they do read hotter in the natural sun on a hot day, the theory will only apply under certain circumstances. Which doesn't always read well in the world of science. Just my 2 cents.

Enjoy!
Kim R

Like Chris said I can always measure Rand's temp if he is getting po'd HA!

---

My old Computer crashed Kim, but I swear I had an opinion from Owens Corning Technical Services Division that Algae on light colored shingles caused more thermal expansion and contraction, and accelerated granule loss!!!!!!!!!!!

 

HA! I think I found what may be what you were talking about Chris. If not still says what we have been looking to achieve and that is a credible source to cite.


Here is the link: Jump to page 16 4th paragraph down! Cool !!

http://www.coolmetalroofing.org/elements/uploads/files/fileManager/CECFinalReportHA07%28senttoCEC%29-150dpi.pdf

Thanks Chris

Kim R

Degradation of materials initiated by ultraviolet radiation was investigated for plastics used in roofing, as well as wood and asphalt. Elevated temperatures accelerate many deleterious chemical reactions and hasten diffusion of material components.
Effects of moisture include decay of wood, acceleration of corrosion of metals, staining of clay, and freeze-thaw damage.
Soiling of roofing materials causes objectionable stains and reduces the solar reflectance of reflective materials.
(Soiling of non-reflective materials can also increase solar reflectance.)
Soiling can be attributed to biological growth (e.g., cyanobacteria, fungi, algae); deposits of organic and mineral particles; and to the accumulation of fly ash, hydrocarbons and soot from combustion.

Chet & Chris you are funny guys!

Kim R

Chris
I could use some co-counsel, or I can co-counsel her as I am sure she has some smarts like the daddy. your daughter will have the best project in the whole class.
Do you have some shingle samples to work with?
Let me know what happens, I know your gonna help with this one!

Keep me posted,
Kim R

Thanks Chad or Josh, point noted, I will give it a try.

Kim R

Presidential Pressure Washing wrote:

---

Chris
I have been looking for that no luck, I can say that the Algae shingle does get hotter, but the cooling period was really weird as if the algae absorbed all of the heat or released it relatively quick. There is an answer, just need to find it

Kim R

---

That may point to the expansion issue Chris mentioned in the old OC document.

 

I think where I would like this to go is to an independent study lab or a college for some validity, as I have zero credentials. But the original premise was to see if there is any basis for this to be evaluated further.
I do believe Travis is still in college, hopefully a university, as community college would not weigh heavily. I do have some resources here. But the one thing I have read from the Berkley lab studies is the testing is highly precise and includes many variables.
Now if we could enlist a lab like Berkley or equivalent that would be the ultimate icing on the cake.
As well as present sample testing from all over the US to see exactly what type of Cyanobacteria, Lichen and Mosses are present, as there are thousands collectively.
The reason I started this whole thread was to insure that what I was stating in my website and in conversing had some validity to it. I really cannot stand urban legends and with all the different sites that explain what is on your roof, the increased AC usage etc.. it needed to be not just another blah, blah,blah just like the next guy. This may lead to a dead end or it may not. But it is worth the extra step.

Kim R

Chet,
I am in Fl. with all the goodies, but the testing has stopped for a bit as I just enrolled in 4 college classes, looking to get this rolling then start again. But I am going to look at some other avenues to support an unbiased study with the samples I have.
Thanks for asking,
Kim R