Roofing Question

jkling

My roof has dark spots (dirty looking spots) what would cause these dark areas? This is not my area of expertise so welcome any information. I had a roofer come out and he had no idea - but thought I needed my roof replaced but other than the dark spots the roof appears to be in good condition.
Thanks

Tinstaafl

That's often due to algae. You tend to see it more in the less sunny areas. I've never used them, but there are zinc strips available that you can mount near the ridge so that every time it rains, the roof gets a mild "algaecide" treatment.

Lefty H

Hi,

It is from algea.

You do not need a roof. The algea will be back on the new roof. That roofer would have had you waste alot of money.

Zinc strips will keep the algea from starting. It will not kill algea that is already there.

Cleaning your roof is the only way to get rid of the algea. Then the zinc strips will do the job. There is also a clear coating you can put on after the roof is cleaned.

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We install residential and commercial roofs and gutters.

Insulation

maine man

you can use lead, or copper as well.. somewhere i read that you can use pennies. they are a certain percentage zink and copper.

Scott D.

Hey there Jkling! You roof just needs a safe, non pressure cleaning. If you tell me where you live (city and state), I can probably give you the name of a quality roof cleaning contractor that will do a great job for you. This is the business I am in. I am a moderator on roof cleaning boards and a member of several organizations, so I have access to the best in the business. You can PM me or email me at customerservice@gotadirtyroof.com if yo dont want to put your location on the net.

You definately do not need a new roof though.

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Patrick

Hey SCOTT, one of our competitors has the EXACT same logo as you

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Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

Tinstaafl

Ain't clip art wonderful?

Tom M

Funny reading this thread. I never used these zinc strips, I have to look into those more. This mourning I visited a customer who had the same concerns. Her roof is streaked with discoloring was on the shady side of the house, the streaks had distinct borders though. I blamed the ventilation as the cause.

She had a hip section on the shady side of the house with a copper vent at the peak. Straight up from the gutter to the vent was a clear path and the sides were dark with algae. Now according to you guys this copper vent maybe be bleeding a coating that is protecting that area? I never thought along those lines before, learn something new each day.

Scott D.

It is actually the oxidation coming off of the metal. I dont recommend any kind of zinc or copper strips. They are difficult to install, diffcult to maintain, dont work most of the time and they're not cheap. The only way to prevent the black algae from growing is to apply an algecide anually. We offer a yearly service that comes in at about 1/3 of the cost of a full cleaning.

Not only that but the algae breaks down the granules/shingle the longer it grow. Cleaing your roof WILL make it last longer.

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Tinstaafl

Do tell.

I'm off to the yellow pages to find a professional roof cleaner.














Not.

Scott D.

Yea when we first got started we needed a logo quick. This one worked well and looked good, so we've stuck with it.

Ignorance is bliss Tinstaafl. I clean alot of roofs. You would probably do well to put your inflated ego aside and open your mind a bit. I have seen the zinc strips installed, and they do not work, they are difficult to install especially on a steep roof, and even more difficult to maintain if there's an issue.

But for funs sake Lets pretend they do work. what do you do on an already stained roof? Wait for 6-8 months for the roof to come clean?

Wise up.

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Tinstaafl

My ego is just fine. I'll admit that my comment was a knee-jerk reaction to what came across as a pretty self-serving statement; there is a place in the world for roof cleaners. But there are certainly other things roofing-related that are a lot tougher than mounting a few strips. Whatever; it's not worth a hissy-fit on either of our parts.

Scott D.

Thanks for that. I guess mine was knee jerk reaction to an assault on my profession, and I apologize.

When I say they are difficult, I mean they are difficult when compared to the benefits that you get from them. They do not work like they are advertised to, and end up being a waste of time/money.

My comments are not self serving, as Im not trying to sell myself. I am offering to recommend him to a proffesional who will do it right the first time, and not take him for a ride. I was just giving an example of a service offered, by us, and most cleaners I know, that will protect the roof for its entire life.

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kodiak_island

Lol. Speking of pennies. I was just on a roof yesterday doing a minor venting repair. After cleaning all the damn snow off and torchn the ICE I could have collected enough pennies out of the ridge vent to buy me a case of beer.

Warren

I have heard that the algae generally appears more on the North face of the roof. Not sure why but I have checked and it seems to be true.

Tinstaafl

Lefty H

Hi,

Moisture stays on the north side longer. This algea needs moisture and limestone to grow. When they started to add more limestone to the shingles, this problem started. The algea uses the limestone for food.

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We install residential and commercial roofs and gutters.

Insulation

Ed the Roofer

Electrolysis occurs when rain water makes contact with any metalic surface, which can vary in intesity, depending on how high or low the metal comes in on the periodic chart of elements.

Even Lead, which is a lower charted element creates enough electrolysis to avail it's chemical reaction with the down washing effect of rain water to provide a cleansing effect on the roof shingles.

Look at the roofs that have a street side view facing North and take note of the cleaner funnel shaped pattern directly under any metalic compnent on the roof. Even roof antennaes provide this cleansing effect in a ver small width pattern, but since those are typically made of steel, they eventually also begin to stain the roof shingles from the down pour of rust.

Ed

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Rightonroofing

I have used the zinc strips and they may have been better than nothing, it's hard to really be sure. I don't recommend pressure washing because I have seen it damage shingles, and especially shakes. I use a chemical wash and a street broom to gently free the build up. I won't mention the brand name cause I did that on another thread and got accused of being a spammer.

Dave

Scott D.

You use a pitch witch w/ renew cleaner. While I know there are different ways to skin a cat, this method is NOT approved by anybody as being safe on shingles, except by the company who sells it. Plus it takes waaaaaay longer than it should and is alot more dangerous.

We use NO pressure system, which means exactly that. Imagine standing on your driveway and putting your garden hose gun on a shower setting and spraying your roof from the ground. Less pressure than a heavy rain. We dont even have pressure washers on our trailer. High volume chem pumps only. And We are backed by shingle manufacturers.

90% of the time there isn't even a need to get on a roof, which lowers workmans comp (assuming you're legit and have WC), and your general liability. Plus you can clean barrel tile, metal slate, etc, without worrying about walking on slippery tiles.

PM me and ill get you some information and some resources.

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