Have you ever gone through a neighbourhood looking at roofs? Unless you install roofs, repair roofs, or for some other reason are constantly working, dancing or sleeping on roofs, chances are slim you don’t find them appealing. More than 50% of all roofs are grey. And the ones that are not are close to it. Since Lower Mainland inhabitants already have enough grey in their lives (looking at you, clouds!), roofs don’t generally win additional style points. Yes, folks in brighter places may still argue roofs are uninteresting. If you decide to gaze around a bit, all sorts of black stains, green moss, leaves, pine needles, cedar, and other types of garbage can be found on roofs. The wet climate promotes various kinds of growth on roofs. Today we will talk about one known as “black algae,” whose technical term is “gloeocapsa magma.” These specific organisms produce large, ever-increasing black stains. In contrast to actual algae, these black stains are forceful bacteria. Algae is a closer relative to plants and not bacterial growth.
One of the biggest threats to your roof is bacterial growth. While not the only kind, black stains are one of the more common types. They are frequently found on homes in high-moisture climates. And unfortunately, they are not a simple collection of dirt that one can wash off with water. Gloeocapsa magma is a growing force of bacteria feeding on the contents of your roof and holding in moisture. It quickly multiplies in a downward direction. Fibreglass shingles of today are made with materials to reflect ultraviolet rays. They’re efficient at repelling the sun to keep your house cool and preserving the roof. Unfortunately, while these shingles are efficient, they are not particularly good at keeping away bacteria, a significant risk in humid climates. The bacteria feeds and multiplies in the granules of these susceptible shingles. With time, these roofs will lose their reflective abilities, and their overall lifespan will greatly diminish.
Commonly, pressure washers have been used for cleaning roofs. However, this damages roofing shingles and does nothing to fight the bacteria residing in porous shingles. Given these two facts, pressure washing an asphalt or fibreglass shingled roof should be avoided at all costs. What other way, if not pressure washing? We advise using a very low or soft-pressured water source when cleaning. This saves on the granules in the shingles. Otherwise, you are forcefully removing material. Also, it’s best to apply a cleaning detergent that will kill all bacteria. This method of cleaning is known as “soft-washing.” It’s the best solution today for cleaning your home and preserving it for the future.
If proper care is not taken, there are considerable risks. Roofs are expensive to replace. They also serve an integral part in keeping your house free from the weather. Worn-out roofs are hazardous as they can easily develop water leaks. Leaks equal water damage inside a home, and not everything is replaceable. Worn-out roofs are bad for a property’s resale value, curb appeal, and home insurance. If you want to avoid these troubles, we advise looking into a proper maintenance plan for your roof.
Are you well-informed on the current state of your roof? If you’re not confident your roof is free from bacteria, it could pose serious threat. Zander SoftWash exists to offer professional exterior house cleaning. We take particular care to treat each home as our own. It’s our pleasure to provide service of genuine value to all our customers. If you have any questions about getting your home examined, don’t hesitate to connect with us. We’re located in the heart of the Lower Mainland, operating from Chilliwack to Vancouver.