The black mold-like stains and streaks that sometimes appear on roofs, and in particular, light-colored asphalt shingles, is actually a blue-green algae (Glockenspiel magma). It is most commonly found in climates with warm, humid summers It does not, in fact, do damage to the roofing, but it definitely takes away from the aesthetic appeal of the house.

You could replace all the roofing with new shingles dark enough to disguise the staining, or with shingles laced with copper granules, which are lethal to algae. That is only a good and economical decision if the shingles on the roof are worn out.

The least expensive solution is to spray wash the roof with a 50 percent mix of water and bleach to get rid of the algae. (Avoid using a pressure washer as they are likely to damage the shingles.) Make sure to wet your foundation plantings first, and then rinse everything in clean water when you are done. Plants don't like bleach, and wetting them with plain water first protects them.

You can keep the algae from coming back by inserting 6-inch-wide strips of zinc or copper under the row of shingling closest to the roof peak, leaving an inch or two of the lower edge exposed to the weather. So that whenever it rains, some of the metal molecules will wash down the roof and kill any algae trying to regain a foothold on your shingles.

You can probably see this same principle working on roofs in your neighborhood. Look for chimneys with copper flashing; the areas directly below the flashing will be free of any algae stains.
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The strips also work on roofs suffering from moss buildup. Just scrub it off first with a brush, then bleach as above.

When summer heat strikes, and it looks like this summer is going to be seeing some record highs here in Washington,DC, one of the main parts of your home that will take the hardest hit from the extreme weather conditions is your roof. Most, especially after the winter season going into the summer season. Winter weather can cause some pretty serious damage to your roof. By not checking base and having some of that damage repaired, you could potentially be looking at a serious (and expensive) problem on your hands.

The summertime is the perfect time of year to do your roof maintenance, simply because the weather is ideal and as well you will not have to fight winter conditions to get it done.

The materials of your roof are the most at-risk from damage caused by winter weather. If you do not utilize the summer months to do some roofing maintenance, you could wind up with an expensive situation on your hands.

There are many aspects of roofing maintenance that you need to perform in the summertime. Here are a few of the top suggestions:

Rain gutters
While the gutters on your roof were installed to help with rain run-off and to avoid any flooding around the foundation of your home, it is just as important to make sure that your rain gutters are maintained in the summer months as it is the other months of the year. In fact, during the summertime your rain gutters could attract some serious damage to your roof. During the winter months, your rain gutters fill with sticks, leaves, and debris. And, in the summertime when that material dries out, it will begin composting and attracting pests. Pest in your gutters equals pest in your roof and home.  Best to maintain your gutters and avoid the extra cost of having to get a pest control professional to rid your home of unwanted "guests".

Ventilation
​Your roof has a ventilation system that helps to release the heat from the attic and roofing materials. However, during the winter months your ventilation system can become damaged and even develop obstructions like animal nests. Use the summer months to inspect your ventilation system and make sure it is properly working. Also, double-check your power bills to make sure your home is as energy-efficient as usual.

Summertime is here and that means any damage or issue that was caused to your roof during the winter/spring months, could quickly escalate. Use these few weeks before the heat really begins to build, to have a professional like Boyd Construction Co Inc, inspect your roof and make sure that everything is in good shape.

Have any questions or potential roofing issues? Boyd Construction Co Inc is ready and available to provide a free estimate.  Contact us today to set up your free evaluation.