What Causes Black Streaks On Roof Shingles

Algae may be mistaken for soot dirt or tree droppings most of which typically produce only localized discoloration.

What causes black streaks on roof shingles.

Here s what they are and what to do about them. Most black streaks form on the northern slopes of roofs where it s darker and wetter ideal for algae growth. Algae arrive on the rooftop through the air in the form of spores or clumps of cells. The most common type is known as gloeocapsa magma also known as blue green algae.

The black mold like stains and streaks that appear on roofs particularly light colored asphalt shingles is actually a blue green algae gloeocapsa magma. While not immediately damaging they can prematurely age shingles. What are those ugly black streaks on my roof. Technically the black streaks on roofs are a form of algae known as gloeocapsa magma.

While the streaks do not cause a great deal of damage they can cause the shingle to age prematurely. Areas of the country with low humidity have fewer instances of roof streaks while the problem is relatively common in the southeast where it s more humid and warm. Though often attributed to an accumulation of dirt defective shingles mold or mildew. The streaks are caused by a type of algae known as gloeocapsa magma.

The most common culprit is actually a blue green algae known as gloeocapsa magma that is. Commonly found in climates with warm humid summers it does no damage to the roofing but it certainly does looks bad. 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. Believe it or not those black streaks only appear on roofs in certain areas of the country.

The algae feed off of the limestone within the roof shingles. Algae growth on asphalt shingles. The black streaks are also known as black algae or roof mold. They re actually algae otherwise known as gloeoapsa magma and they are as nasty as they are resilient.

But now this black algae is termed a roof shingle algae because of the annoying discoloration on a asphalt shingle roof. Algae growth may cause discoloration on roofs resulting in brown or black streaks on a rooftop. As the blue green algae. Why are there dark streaks on my roof.

Black streaks on shingled roofs are a common though mysterious sight. Those that tend to be the most humid furthermore they will only appear on the north side of the roof. Black stains on an asphalt roof caused by algae. The black streaks running down roofs are actually a hardy algae called gloeocapsa magma.

If you live in a humid area of the country you ve probably seen unsightly dark streaks on asphalt shingle roofs.