How algae affects your roof

We see it every day, black streaks down a roof that otherwise seem in fine shape. Those homeowners don’t call us for roof repair in Brentwood, TN, but they may need too if they don’t pay attention to those streaks. Too many homeowners believe that those streaks are just part of the aging process and can’t be helped. Sadly, that’s not the right approach to take. The ugly staining and streaking you see is likely algae, mold or mildew and it’s harming your roof.

Why mold, mildew and algae grow on your roof

Mold is mildew in its early form. If you remember science class, mildew is a fungus. Fungi requires two things to grow and thrive; organic matter and moisture. Because your shingle roofing in Brentwood, TN is made from organic materials and it’s moist and humid here much of the year, our roofs are subject to mildew growth. If your roof is under a tree and shades, not only does the fungi have the shingle itself to thrive, but also tree leaves and shade. A perfect storm we might say.

If your roof has blue-green algae, that is slightly different. Although it’s commonly called algae, it’s really bacteria. It feeds on the limestone in your roofing shingles. As they consume the limestone, they impact the durability of your shingle and roofing in Brentwood, TN. You may find that the north side of your roof (where there is less sun) requires more frequent roof repair in Brentwood, TN.

Clean your roof carefully

If you decide to clean your roof yourself, do so carefully. We recommend making sure that there are never leaves on your roof decaying. To kill the algae, mold or mildew, use a mixture of half water and half bleach. Put it in a garden sprayer and spray it on your roof. You may want to over water your garden in areas where you may get run off to protect your landscaping. Once it dries, simply hose off the bleach-water mixture. If these stains bother, it might be worth considering replacement shingles with algae killer baked in.

Need roof repair in Brentwood, TN? We can help

If you have roof damage from any source, we can help. We may also be able to prevent addition growth of mold or mildew. Call the A+ rated team at Mobley Brothers Roofing & Renovation for your roof repair in Brentwood, TN today at (615) 455-3131 or fill out our contact form.