What is roof algae in Birmingham AL and why to pressure wash?
What is roof algae?
In many regions across the country “especially the south” roof algae or (Gloeocapsa Magma) has become a serious problem. Gloeocapsa Magma is an airborne algae so it can land on any roof with no rhyme or reason, though it does seem to be more prominent in areas holding a lot of trees. The algae also thrives in warm humid climates, usually first appearing on the north facing slopes of roofs where the right amount of shade and moisture are common. The roof algae then feeds on the crushed limestone which is used in the manufacturing of asphalt shingles, and as it rains the algae spreads down the roof causing black streaks. If not taken care of the algae will take over the entire roof in a few short years turning the whole roof black. Once the roof algae has landed on the roof it will have to be killed and removed properly or it will continue to spread, it will never get better or just go away on its own.
What the algae does to roofs in Birmingham, AL
When roof algae are not taken care of they stop the shingles from reflecting heat from the sun’s UV rays. When this happens it can affect your home’s heating and cooling costs without you even realizing it. Also because the shingles cannot reflect heat they start to diminish prematurely. Signs of wear are curled corners, wavy or humped shingles, broke or loose shingles, and an excess of shingle granules appearing in your gutters just to name a few. Not to mention it’s very unsightly and diminishes a business or homes curb appeal and value.
Misconceptions about roof algae in Birmingham, AL
It has been my experience from talking with many troubled home owners that most roofing contractors are not going to tell the home owner that their roof only needs to be cleaned. Think about that for a moment, why would they? I have had many customers tell me that a roofing contractor told them that the black streaks were water marks or a sign of wear in either case a roof replacement was recommended. Another scenario is that some roofing contractors have no idea themselves what roof algae is and that it can be cleaned. Some will also combat losing a potential roof replacement job by telling the home owner that you can’t clean shingles without damaging them, which is completely untrue. None the less many home owners are suckered into a costly, premature replacement of a roof that only needed to be cleaned.
Roofing Industry studies have indicated that MOST roofs are replaced, according to a national poll, due in LARGE PART to the unattractive LOOK of the roof surface, NOT BECAUSE the roof is damaged or leaking.
In FACT, most homeowners don’t know of the roof cleaning OPTION or have ever been given another choice to replacement until….NOW!
Now you don’t have to WASTE hard earned money to replace a roof that can be EASILY cleaned for 1/10 the cost of replacement and in a much quicker time frame with no waste to fill up overburdened land fills, plus no lengthy construction inconvenience. Roof Cleaning can usually be performed and completed in LESS than ONE DAY!
Our NO pressure roof cleaning process
Xtreme Cleanz only uses chemicals approved by the ARMA* Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association and does NOT use any pressure on shingled roofs. We also provide our customers with technical bulletins directly from Asphaltroofing.org and shingle manufacturers to prove that our procedures and chemicals are properly formulated for roof cleaning. Our chemicals provide enough cleaning power to remove all mold, mildew, and streaks…without pressure washing. Even low pressure 500-1000psi pressure washing can lead to the lose of granules, which is exactly what the algae does. Don’t pay someone to ruin your investment pay them to protect it.
