Louisiana Landsource wants you to learn why it is important to keep your roof clean.
Landsource is not only here to help you with land for sale in Louisiana, but homes for sale in LA as well.
Let Louisiana Landsource get you in touch with a vetted contractor like Louisiana Roof Crafters. You can always truct a Landsource vetted contractor.
We have been dealing with Roof Crafters for over a decade. Roof Crafters also has more top-rated Google reviews than any other roofer in Louisiana. This is the kind of help Landsource wants to provide you.
Your entire house can appear dingy when your roof, siding or paint is dirty. Our homes must look nice as homeowners – no one wants to come home to a messy house, and no one wants their neighbors to complain about their house. Your roof is no exception.
Along with ruining your home’s curb appeal, a dirty roof can damage it. Keeping your roof clean is essential.
More than Dirt
The elements bombard your roof all day long. Debris accumulates on it. Most dirt is washed away by natural rainfall. However, you should be aware of other natural factors that affect your roof:
- Algae
- Fungus/Lichen
- Moss
Dirt is simpler than these substances, and a little explanation is needed.
Algae
GM or gloeocapsa magma are black stains. GM algae grow in moist, cool, shaded areas of a damp, cool, sheltered roof. GM forms a blue-green color when the light level is low.
Algae found on shaded areas of the roof can harbor molds of various kinds. Normally, one side of the roof may be stained.
According to an Asphalt Roofing Manufacturing Association (ARMA) report, these algae spores are carried by wind or animals. Rooftops of apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes can quickly become infested with them.
Lichens
A lichen is essentially a fungus and algae combined. According to the ARMA, lichen is a fungus that grows symbiotically with algae.
Branches of these organisms form roots that penetrate deep into the roof’s organic oil base for nourishment. Lichen is difficult to remove from the roof and may reappear when wet or humid.
Moss
Moss is a plant, unlike algae and lichens. The moss roots are shallow, so it needs moisture to grow. Places with little sunlight tend to stay damp longer.
As well as providing shade, overhanging tree branches also provide moss with food. Moss spores are often spread by animals or wind and affect entire neighborhoods.
How Can Stains Damage a Roof?
Algae, fungi, and moss can cause shingles to deteriorate and wood to rot because of stains and growth patches. Both can require expensive repairs. Roof cleaning can prevent or minimize these problems.
Shingle Damage
As mentioned above, asphalt and limestone are nutrients that GM algae feed on. Therefore, your shingles are being eaten away by these organisms.
A roof with algae stains also absorbs heat, according to ARMA. As a result, the roof attic is extremely hot, which reduces the shingles’ life expectancy by effectively baking them from the inside out. A high level of heat in the attic can cause the shingles to bake from the inside out, thereby reducing their lifespan.
Lice colonies can quite damage shingles. Pockmarks are left behind by their penetrating tentacles, which eventually ruin the roof shingles.
Roof shingles are even more susceptible to damage from mold. A roof with moss can lift or curl its edges, signaling a need for a roof replacement. Moss holds in moisture, causing shingles to crack even more in winter.
Wood Rot
Moss can collect moisture and divert water, leading to wood rot and leaks on your roof deck. Moss thrives in the slots between shingles, the last places on a roof where water evaporates.
You can easily spot moss growing on your roof. Wood rot may not be noticeable to the average homeowner. Yanni Avramidis, vice president of production at Long Roofing, says you don’t know the extent of damage to your home.
Your system may have a leak that you are unaware of. Even more damage to your wood will result as a result.”
The mold growth on your roof caused by wood rot can also be hazardous to you and your pets.
The mold growth on your roof caused by wood rot can also be hazardous to you and your pets.
Is there anyone in your attic or on your roof? Infested wood can rot more quickly, which increases the damage caused by unwanted critters.
In the past, squirrels have chewed through areas of the roof and supported wood systems, causing damage to the roof and attic. Rotting makes it easier for them to chew through wood.
When Cleaning Is Not Enough
Algae, fungi, or moss growth may cause extensive damage to your roof. Cleaning your roof will not fix the problem. You need a top-rated roofing company like Louisiana Roof Crafters.
“If you have missing shingles, granular material gone from your shingles, tabs flipping upward, or if your shingles are brittle, you probably need a roof replacement,” recommends Angi.
If you need help with land for sale in Louisiana or if you are trying to sell a home in LA, reach out to Louisiana Landsource and let our decades of experience serve you.