Black Streaks On Roof Shingles

If you re seeing black streaks running along your roof chances are you ve mistaken them for dirt or even mold.

Black streaks on roof shingles. The black streaks running down roofs are actually a hardy 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 algae feed on the limestone in shingles. Here s why algae grows on roofs.

But now this black algae is termed a roof shingle algae because of the annoying discoloration on a asphalt shingle roof. Black streaks on the north and west facing and shaded areas of your asphalt shingled roof can really wreck the appearance of your home. It can happen to homes that are otherwise maintained very well but why. The most common culprit is actually a blue green algae known as gloeocapsa magmathat is spread by airborne spores.

Black streaks on shingles aren t caused by leaking tar. Technically the black streaks on roofs are a form of algae known as gloeocapsa magma. The algae will worsen and become more noticeable each year trapping moisture and causing premature shingle aging and granule loss. Algae arrive on the rooftop through the air in the form of spores or clumps of cells.

The streaks look like mold but they re actually algae colonies that form in your shingles and feed on moisture and the limestone filler agents in the shingles. 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. They re actually algae otherwise known as gloeoapsa magma and they are as nasty as they are resilient. This isn t unique to abandoned houses either.

As the blue green algae accumulate they develop a dark hardened outer coating which results in the black stains you see. The most common type is known as gloeocapsa magma also known as blue green algae. If you live in a humid area of the country you ve probably seen unsightly dark streaks on asphalt shingle roofs. While the streaks do not cause a great deal of damage they can cause the shingle to age prematurely.

Rather they are caused by a hardy algae known as. This algae growth usually begins as small spots and then eventually becomes visible 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. The black streaks are also known as black algae or roof mold.

Over time this algae accumulates developing a black outer coating which causes stains on roof shingles. Black streaking on roofs is a common problem. Though often attributed to an accumulation of dirt defective shingles mold or mildew.