A severe case of fungi and bacteria on a metal roof we soft washed.
What is that black stuff?
Doing a roof wash is not something people usually think about. They are supposed to be dirty, right? Well, not when it is covered in moss, fungi, or bacteria like gloeocapsa magma. All those marks are an accumulation of those things. The gloeocapsa magma is the black streaks running down the roof. It is a cyanobacterium that feeds on the calcium carbonate on the shingles. Anything eating away at the roof over time is going to shorten its functionality such as sun reflection. Lichens, a relative of gloeocapsa magma, also damage shingles and take off the color coating.
Saves Money
Roof washing is more cost-effective than quickly replacing a roof. People usually put off roof wash until they have a leak in their ceiling. By the time there is a leak, it is usually an expensive fix, and maintenance could have prevented the damage. Sometimes it costs upwards of $30,000 to replace a roof.
Is Moss Bad for My Roof? I Think It Looks Nice
Moss grows very thick on roofs and can cause damage. What is pleasing to the eye like a quaint mossy English cottage can be devastating to the shingles. One should never scrape off the moss because it off takes off pieces of roof granules. Sodium hypochlorite is used to kill the plant so that it naturally comes off. It is best to let a professional roof wash it so that the correct amount is used. The right company minds of the sides of the house and takes care of the surrounding plants. The black should come off during treatment and the moss will fall off naturally about 24 days after treatment.
Some people scrub the moss off, but that is very bad for the granules. Granules are needed to keep the shingle mass in order to deflect the sun. SH is all that is needed to kill bacteria and fungus. The temperature of the house will go up as the air conditioning bills.
Are fungi bad for metal?
Metal roofs are subject to destruction as well. Moss retains water and the water corrodes metal. As a result, the roof will have stains and discoloration. The algae and bacteria also cause damage to the top layer and discoloration.
How often should I wash my roof?
Once every three years should be fine if there are no trees overhanging the roof. If there are a lot of trees, more maintenance is needed since there is more shade and moisture for bacteria. North-facing roofs get dirtier faster. SH helps prevent the fungus and bacteria from growing back quickly since it kills them off and does not just rinse them away.
So what is the solution?
Hire a softwash professional such as Billy Goat Gutter Cleaning LLC because we will use the right amount of chemicals to kill the fungi and bacteria and not damage the roof. Power washing a roof damages shingles and can scar the metal. The best way to roof wash is to treat the organic growth with sodium hypochlorite to safely clean your roof of gloeocapsa magma and bacteria. You may contact us here for a free estimate.