The streaks are caused by a type of algae known as gloeocapsa magma.
How to remove black streaks from roof shingles.
The wrong way to remove black streaks from your roof.
Remove black stains from roof shingles to preserve the appearance of your home s roof.
What makes the streaks.
Homeowners don t recognize an infestation at first because very little discoloration is observed.
Most formulas contain chlorine bleach and or trisodium phosphate tsp and water.
This is why it s recommended to clean the roof immediately at the earliest sign of moss.
But over time black stains develop as some of the bacteria die off to create a dark tough protective outer coating.
But now this black algae is termed a roof shingle algae because of the annoying discoloration on a asphalt shingle roof.
Besides black streaks don t exactly look good on your roof.
The black streaks running down roofs are actually a hardy algae called gloeocapsa magma.
Over time this algae accumulates developing a black outer coating which causes stains on roof shingles.
I am really disappointed the treated shingles didn t work.
Once lichen has taken root getting rid of algae becomes more difficult.
The algae feed on the limestone in shingles.
Chlorine bleach and trisodium phosphate step 1 wet down the roof with water from the garden hose.
While the streaks do not cause a great deal of damage they can cause the shingle to age prematurely.
The black streaks are also known as black algae or roof mold.
The algae feed off of the limestone within the roof shingles.
As the blue green algae accumulate they develop a dark hardened outer coating which results in the black stains you see.
Technically the black streaks on roofs are a form of algae known as gloeocapsa magma.
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.
Those that tend to be the most humid furthermore they will only appear on the north side of the roof.
It is important that the roof be wet when the cleaning.
An internet search on how to clean black streaks on your roof will turn up several different homemade formulas as well as commercial brands for getting rid of roof algae.
Gravity pulls this coating down leaving black streaks on the impacted roof.
I covered our asphalt shingle roof about five years ago with white 50 year guaranteed shingles that had algae prevention treatment but now the entire north side of our roof is black with algae i bought the shingles from lowe s in marianna florida.