Roof Has Black Streaks

The algae feed on the limestone in shingles.

Roof has black streaks.

Those black streaks on your shingles may look like problems with old age or damage but they are really caused by algae specifically gloeocaspa magma is usually to blame for those wavy dark shades that grow as the algae bloom spreads. As the blue green algae accumulate they develop a dark hardened outer coating which results in the black stains you see. This algae growth usually begins as small spots and then eventually becomes visible streaks. Black streaking on roofs is a common problem.

If you live in a humid area of the country you ve probably seen unsightly dark streaks on asphalt shingle roofs. The algae then thrive on the moist crevices of your asphalt tiles. It s also known as blue green algae in the roofing business. Technically the black streaks on roofs are a form of algae known as gloeocapsa magma.

Many home owners are surprised to discover that the once clean asphalt roof shingles have been slowly covered with a form of roof mold or mildew that appears as a light discoloration and spreads down the roof toward the gutters. The wind carries the spores of this algae onto your roof. In short those black streaks are called gloeocapsa magma. What are the black streaks on my roof.

The algae will worsen and become more noticeable each year trapping moisture and causing premature shingle aging and granule loss. The black streaks running down roofs are actually a hardy algae called gloeocapsa magma. What causes your roof to have black streaks. While the streaks do not cause a great deal of damage they can cause the shingle to age prematurely.

The great news for homeowners is that the most common causesof these black streaks are algae called gloeocapsa magma. Although these dark spots and ugly black streaks on your roof may look like dirt mildew soot or mold what they really are is algae. The most common type is known as gloeocapsa magma also known as blue green algae. If left untreated these unsightly black streaks can cause the premature degradation of your shingles.

So early treatment can help add years to your roof. Here s why algae grows on roofs. But now this black algae is termed a roof shingle algae because of. Black streaks on roof the first thing to note is that what you re seeing is the result of a cyanobacteria known as gloeocapsa magna.

The black streaks are also known as black algae or roof mold. The black roof stains are caused by a form of algae that has been around for years typically found in the woods on the north side of trees or on exposed rocks. Thankfully it isn t harmful to your health like mold. It s actually a form of algae that feeds on the limestone filler used in the creation of asphalt shingles.