Quote:
Originally Posted by Janecj
Careful on the bleach. It can cause premature chemical degradation of asphalt roofing shingles. In short, causing a shingle to become brittle. Make sure to research before going this method.
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Hey Jane, I did some reading and apparently this is a myth. I too was concerned and made a couple of calls. 99% of professional roof cleaning companies safely use sodium hypochlorite which is, in essence bleach.
From a blog:
Do you ever look up at your roof and wonder just what those dark stains are? Where do they come from? Why don't they disappear when it rains? Do they reduce the life of my roof? Most homeowners accept it as dirt, mold, or grime that comes with an aging roof.
The staining on your roof is an organism,
gloeocapsa magma, or more commonly referred to as "algae". It is the most prevalent organism found growing on asphalt roofs in the southern part of the country, along with other organisms such as mildew and occasionally, moss. It is resilient and survives by feeding on the inorganic fillers used in the production of asphalt shingles. It arrives on your roof as an airborne particle, establishes itself, and then begins to grow, spreading where conditions suit.
Algae need food, moisture, and heat to survive. You will find it growing mainly on the north facing and shaded areas of your roof where the lack of sun allows moisture to dwell. The next time you are driving through your neighborhood take a look around at the roofs. Often, homes on one side of the street will have the black algae staining on the roof, while the roofs of the homes on the other side of the street appear to be clean. Generally the clean side of a roof will face due south and will get enough sun to inhibit the growth. Over time, it will become more noticeable and eventually cover one or both sides of a roof.
There is some debate about the extent of damage the algae does as it feeds, but most experts agree that it is does some damage and creates additional problems discussed later in this article. For certain, a stained roof detracts from the curb appeal of your home. This is an important consideration when considering placing your home on the market for sale. A stained roof can negatively impact the impressions of a potential buyer about the home and how it has been maintained over time.
Roofs are designed to protect your home from the elements. Asphalt shingles, by design, have hard reflective surface granules, which protect the shingle and aid in reflecting the sun's rays to keep your home cooler. When your shingles are covered with these black stains, the reflective properties are diminished and your roof will retain more heat. The warmer a roof is, the more thermal expansion and contraction it is going to experience resulting in diminished shingle life. A warmer roof heats up your home making the air conditioner work harder to keep the temperature at the desired level than otherwise would be the case, which means higher energy bills.
The good news is that most of the time you don't need to replace the affected shingles to rid your roof of the staining. Asphalt roofs can be cleaned, removing the staining entirely in most cases, using a proven straightforward procedure by a trained professional. This cleaning should be something a homeowner considers to include in the standard maintenance of your home similar to painting and caulking protect the exterior from the elements. A standard roof should last an average of 25 to 30 years if it is maintained properly.
ROOF REFRESH is licensed and insured professional roof cleaning and pressure washing company in Raleigh specializing in cleaning roofs and gutters. We use only safe, low pressure cleaining methods to gently remove the stains and we offer a 3 year, no hassle warranty against the stains returning. Visit our website at [URL="http://www.raleighroofcleaning.com/"]
www.raleighroofcleaning.com[/URL] for more information or give us a call 919-291-2717. We will be pleased to come and look at your roof and give you a no-obligation estimate to "refresh" your roof.
[url=http://www.merchantcircle.com/blogs/Roof.Refresh.919-291-2717]Blog of Roof Refresh, Raleigh, NC[/url]
Some good reading and a good FAQ section on the website. The other listed above M. Magic is also a reputable company in the area.
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