What is the yellow stuff on my roof?
Lichen holds moisture in place against surfaces, which speeds up normal wear and tear. When this surface moisture freezes in cold temperatures, it can lead to frost damage to roof shingles and other exterior surfaces.
How long does it take for algae to grow on roof?
Algae can overtake a new roof in four years or less in the right conditions. If you notice strange discoloration or vegetative growth marring the look of your new or existing roof, contact a roofing contractor near you for an inspection.
What is growing on my roof?
While moss is the most common form of growth on your roof, homeowners should also be aware of the spread of algae and lichen, as well as the buildup of organic matter–such as fallen leaves, twigs, branches and nuts–which will support the buildup of moss.
What does mold look like on your roof?
Mold growth can look like soot and dirt and be black, gray, brown, green or even white in color. While mold often appears as small black spots, it can also emerge white and thread-like.
Why is mold growing on my roof?
Mold is the result of algae left too long on a roof. Algae needs perpetual moisture to exist, so they grow best in humid areas. When algae keeps the roof damp for long enough, rot can set in, commonly leading to mold growing and spreading.
What does roof algae look like?
What is Roof Algae? The black mold-like stains and streaks that appear on roofs, particularly light-colored asphalt shingles, is actually a blue-green algae (Gloeocapsa magma). Commonly found in climates with warm, humid summers, it does no damage to the roofing, but it certainly does looks bad.
Why are my roof tiles turning green?
Roof tiles made from clay or concrete are particularly susceptible to moss growth. This is because their porous surfaces and frequent exposure to rain and damp conditions make them the perfect environment for moss to root down and spread very effectively.
What is the difference between algae and mold?
Algae and mold are different but equally harmful to your property. Mold is a fungus that will eat nutrients to survive. Algae is more plant-like and eats the limestone filler in shingles and organic matter on a home’s siding. Either is bad news for your home’s exterior.
How do you remove mold from roof tiles?
Oxygen bleach is one of the natural remedies that is commonly used for removing lichen on tiled roofs. It contains sodium percarbonate which kills the fungus. It is a safer option than chlorine bleach as it won’t discolour the surface of the tiled roof. Oxygen bleach is also safe on asphalt surfaces.
What causes staining on roofs?
If you live in a humid area of the country, you’ve probably seen unsightly dark streaks on asphalt shingle roofs. Though often attributed to an accumulation of dirt, defective shingles, mold, or mildew; the most common culprit is actually a blue-green algae known as Gloeocapsa Magma that is spread by airborne spores.
What are the white marks on my roof tiles?
Efflorescence describes white deposits found on building materials such as concrete roof tiles, block paving, clay bricks, calcium silicate bricks, mortar and concrete. The term covers a number of phenomena and various forms can occur.
How do you fix roof discoloration?
Removing roofing discoloration in the roof can be done using a chemical cleaner. Repeated uses of this cleaner can remove the granules of your asphalt shingles and lower the life expectancy of your roofing systems. The issue with granule removal often comes down to having to use pressure washers.
What is roof lichen?
It’s actually a combination of algae and fungi living together. And on your roof, it usually looks like a green crust that grows in patches. While moss can look quite luscious, lichen usually grows much thinner and closer to the surface of your roof.
How do you stop lichens growing on roof tiles?
3Clean the roof tiles with a high pressure water spray
Give the anti-moss spray time to do its job, and then use the high pressure cleaner to wash the tiles down. This will remove all the moss and lichen as well as any built up dirt.
Should moss be removed from roof tiles?
To avoid expensive repairs, moss should be removed from your roof tiles quickly if it is covering a significant area of your roof. Avoid pressure washing your roof to remove moss, as this could cause damage to the tiles and lead to the drenching of your roof interior.
Does lichen affect roof tiles?
In normal circumstances, a small amount of growth is not harmful to the actual roof tiles or slates. However, in extreme cases, it may affect the flow of water down the roof, hampering drainage, or may retain water, increasing the risk of damage or leaks developing.
