At, Husker Siding, Windows and Roofing, we are approached my customers daily with curiosity questions about siding, windows and roofing. With winter right around the corner several of our customers need assistance determining the maintenance of their current roof. Omaha Home Owners make a habit of inspecting their roofs during the fall season as they are preparing their gutters for the fall leaves. As an Omaha Roofing Company we have received the following questions over the years “What are those ugly black and gray streaks on you and your neighbors’ asphalt shingle roofs?”
The first and most scary thought several of our customer have is that is mold. Good news is that it’s not mold or fungi; it’s actually algae or specifically Gloeocapa Magna. This algae growth isn’t an isolated problem, roofs in over 80% of the United States are susceptible.
How does Algae (Gloeocapa Magna) Spreads
Over ten years ago, algae growth started to be noticed in the Cincinnati area and has spread although way to Canada. Algae are spread by wind-borne spores and with Nebraska winds, the algae can float miles within minutes landing where the algae may easily move across Omaha roofs. Algae are well adapted to extreme conditions such as heat, long dry spells, heavy rain, intense cold, thick snow and high winds. The spores will usually take hold on north elevations of a roof first because it tends to have the most shade and moisture. Algae growth has become more prevalent as the shingle industry moved from the use of organic base materials to heavier fiberglass asphalt. Fiberglass shingles contain limestone, which is a staple food source for algae.
Omaha Roofing Company Recommendation: Never Power Wash Your Roof!
The harmful effects of the algae growth are minimal, as the organism lives on the shingle and isn’t rooted into it. The growth has a definite aesthetic unpleasantness, so most of the harm comes from Omaha homeowners trying to clean the algae off. The cleaning solutions used are usually very caustic in nature and will adversely affect the shingle asphalt. We recommend following The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) suggestion that you never power wash your roof to remove algae, as it will seriously compromise the granule surface of the shingle.
Omaha Roofing Company’s Suggested Roofing System
Atlas Roofing Corp. is combating this problem with a new Algae Resistant Roofing System developed by Scotchgard. The system uses copper-fortified granules mixed with the standard color granules. With the cost to upgrade to the algae-resistant shingle being minimal (less than $150 on an 1800 sq. ft. roof) it has quickly become a popular option to our customers.
Conclusion: Contact Husker Hammer Siding, Windows and Roofing
Need a quote for algae-resistant shingles in Omaha? Contact Husker Hammer Siding, Windows & Roofing today at (402) 894-9525. Husker Hammer Siding, Windows & Roofing, located in Elkhorn, are Omaha’s home exterior experts. With over 25 years helping Omaha homeowners maintain their homes with exterior repairs and renovations..