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ROOFING INSPECTION & REPAIR CERTIFICATIONS for ROOFING CONTRACTORS CHOOSING A ROOFING CONTRACTOR ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS on SHINGLES BLISTERS on ASPHALT SHINGLES CUPPING ASPHALT SHINGLES CURLING ASPHALT SHINGLES CRACKS in FIBERGLASS SHINGLES FAILURE TYPES, ASPHALT SHINGLES FISHMOUTHING ASPHALT SHINGLES GRANULE LOSS from SHINGLES HAIL DAMAGED SHINGLES Head lap coating shingle wear LADDERING & STAIR STEPPING SHINGLES MOSS & LICHENS ORGANIC FELT SHINGLE DEFECTS SPLICE DEFECTS on ASPHALT SHINGLES STAINS on ROOF SHINGLES Bleed-Through Black Algae Debris Staining Soot Staining Rust Stains on Shingles FIRE RETARDANT PLYWOOD ROOF INSPECTION SAFETY & LIMITS SLATE ROOF INSPECTION & REPAIR STANDARDS for ROOFING WARRANTIES for ROOF SHINGLES WORKMANSHIP & WIND DAMAGE More Information InspectAPedia TM Home & Site Map Air Conditioning InspectAPedia Bookstore Electrical Environment Exteriors Heating Home Inspection Insulate Ventilate Interiors Mold Inspect/Test Roofing Plumbing Water Septic Structure Accuracy & Bias Pledge Contact Us |
This document tells readers how to identify & explain the most-common causes of black, brown, or gray stains appearing on asphalt roof shingles. These stains may be black algae, bleed-through or extractive bleeding of asphalt, dirt, soot, or organic debris. The causes and remedies of black stains on roof shingles are discussed. In the photo shown here, the black stains on the lower roofs are bleed-through or extractive bleeding. The upper roof, shaded by the large tree in the photo, was also moss covered. Notice the streak of "clean" roof shingles that lack the stains on the upper roof near its left edge? Those shingles were installed down-roof from an aluminum attic vent fan cover. The aluminum salts washing off of the fan cover prevented moss, lichens, and algae from growing on those shingles. Also see ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS on SHINGLES where we discuss not only moss and lichens but black fungal stains on asphalt shingles and other roof types. © Copyright 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use the links at page left to navigate this document or to go to Other Website Topics. green links at left show where you are in our document & website.BLACK STAINS - Aesthetic or Cosmetic Roofing Issues - Black Stains on Asphalt ShinglesUse links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website. If you just "scroll down" you'll miss some important articles. See links at page left. | |||
ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES STAINS on ROOF SHINGLES WHAT ARE ASPHALT SHINGLES Bleed-Through Black Algae Debris Staining Soot Staining Rust Stains on Shingles More Information InspectAPedia TM Home & Site Map Roofing Contact Us |
BLEED THROUGH - Black Bleed-Through or Extractive Bleeding Black Stains on Asphalt ShinglesUse links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website. If you just "scroll down" you'll miss some important articles. See links at page left. | |||
ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES STAINS on ROOF SHINGLES WHAT ARE ASPHALT SHINGLES Bleed-Through Black Algae Debris Staining Soot Staining Rust Stains on Shingles More Information InspectAPedia TM Home & Site Map Roofing Contact Us |
BLACK ALGAE - Black Algae Stains on Asphalt ShinglesHow to distinguish roof algae from roof mold, soot, organic debris, or other substancesAs for distinguishing between an algae growing on shingles and a fungus growing on roof shingles, a simple collection of the stained material using clear adhesive tape followed by a laboratory analysis by an experienced microscopist is conclusive. We don't recommend it in most cases but if you want to sample a stain material for analysis in our forensic laboratory, instructions are at Six Easy Steps to Get and Mail a Mold Test Kit. Don't bother worrying about mildew on your roof. Mildew is an obligate parasite which grows only on living plants. Unless your roof is covered with grapes it is not likely to have much mildew there. Remedies for black algae staining on shinglesBlack stains on asphalt shingles caused by algae is avoided by some of the new roof shingle products which include chemicals to retard algal growth. Cutting back overhanging tree branches for more sun can also help reduce this problem. Zinc or copper strips tacked along the ridge will produce (in rain) metal salts which will kill algae as they wash down the roof. New shingles offered by some manufacturers include algae resistant chemicals in their mineral granule coating. Power washing to get rid of roof stains? Some folks recommend power washing to get reduce the staining - I'd be concerned that the power washing process might damage the shingles and significantly reduce the remaining shingle life. Whatever cleaning is done make sure the process does not cause more harm than good to the roof and to the environment around the building. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website. If you just "scroll down" you'll miss some important articles. See links at page left. | |||
ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES STAINS on ROOF SHINGLES WHAT ARE ASPHALT SHINGLES Bleed-Through Black Algae Debris Staining Soot Staining Rust Stains on Shingles More Information InspectAPedia TM Home & Site Map Roofing Contact Us |
DEBRIS STAINING - Black Debris Stains on Asphalt Shingle RoofsDebris staining on roofs produces fairly uniform black or brown staining in areas where due to low-slope or presence of overhanging trees, organic debris collects on the roof slope. Decaying debris may encourage fungal or agal growth (cited above). Lichens or even thick moss may also grow on such roof areas. Debris, lichens, or moss on a roof will shorten its life by holding water on the roof surface, preventing drying, and (in cold climates) adding wear and tear on the roof surface by freeze-thaw cycling. Remedies for black or brown or gray debris staining on asphalt shingles: As cited above, cleaning off debris (gentle sweeping or washing, watch out for damaging the roof during cleaning), or cutting unnecesary overhanging tree branches may help. Also see ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS on SHINGLES for details about these growths on buildings. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website. If you just "scroll down" you'll miss some important articles. See links at page left. | |||
ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES STAINS on ROOF SHINGLES WHAT ARE ASPHALT SHINGLES Bleed-Through Black Algae Debris Staining Soot Staining Rust Stains on Shingles More Information InspectAPedia TM Home & Site Map Roofing Contact Us |
SOOT STAINING - Black Soot Stains on Roof Shingles Around Chimneys
Unlike other roof shingle stain patterns shown in this article, black stains caused by soot staining from a chimney will be prominent in a wide swath along the sides and below the chimney and will be little in evidence elsewhere on the roof. RUST STAINING - Red or Brown Rust Stains on Roof ShinglesUse links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website. If you just "scroll down" you'll miss some important articles. See links at page left. Technical ReviewersParticular thanks are due to experts and also consumers who read these articles and suggest corrections, changes, and additions to the material. Content suggestions, technical corrections and content critique are invited for any of the content at our website.
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ROOFING INSPECTION & REPAIR CERTIFICATIONS for ROOFING CONTRACTORS CHOOSING A ROOFING CONTRACTOR ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES SHINGLE LIFE / WEAR FACTORS ASPHALT SHINGLE FAILURE TYPES ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS on SHINGLES BLISTERS on ASPHALT SHINGLES CRACKS in FIBERGLASS SHINGLES CUPPING ASPHALT SHINGLES CURLING ASPHALT SHINGLES FISHMOUTHING ASPHALT SHINGLES GRANULE LOSS from SHINGLES HAIL DAMAGED SHINGLES Head lap coating shingle wear LADDERING & STAIR STEPPING SHINGLES MOSS & LICHENS on SHINGLES ORGANIC FELT SHINGLE DEFECTS SPLICE DEFECTS on ASPHALT SHINGLES STAINS on ROOF SHINGLES WHAT ARE ASPHALT SHINGLES FIRE RETARDANT PLYWOOD ROOF INSPECTION SAFETY & LIMITS SLATE ROOF INSPECTION & REPAIR SLATE ROOF PHOTO LIBRARY SLATE ROOF INSPECTION CLASS STANDARDS for ROOFING WARRANTIES for ROOF SHINGLES SHINGLE CLASS ACTION REPORTING SHINGLE FAILURES ROOF FAILURE REPORT FORM WORKMANSHIP & WIND DAMAGE More Information InspectAPedia TM Home & Site Map Air Conditioning InspectAPedia Bookstore Electrical Environment Exteriors Heating Home Inspection Insulate Ventilate Interiors Mold Inspect/Test Plumbing Water Septic Roofing Structure Accuracy & Bias Pledge Contact Us |
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07/17/2007 - 09/01/95 File: inspect-ny.com/roof/shinglestains.htm -- Web page design & content production © Copyright 2008-2001 Dan Friedman -