Your roof has the ability to add a significant amount of curb appeal to your home. The presence of roof stains can ruin your home's curb appeal real quick. Any passing individual is sure to notice these stains, so it's best to address them promptly.
Rising Star Roofing in Florida is here to help you understand this specific roofing issue. With our comprehensive roof stain guide, you'll have a firm understanding of the causes and the proper next steps you'll need to take for your residential property.
What Are Roof Stains?
Roof stains are dark marks or streaks seen on roofing. These stains make the roof look dark and wet even though they're dry. Roof stains can be commonly seen on roofs years after their installation date and are a sign the roof has become more vulnerable to various effects like weather. Roof stains can be caused by several factors, but algae happens to be the most common.
Causes of Roof Stain
Roof stains can stem from multiple causes, some requiring more attention than others. So, what causes roof stains? Here are the common causes of roof stains and discoloration:
- Algae growth
- Moss growth
- Sun/UV exposure and damage
- Rust staining
- Defective roofing materials
While some causes simply come with wear and tear over the years, some causes could indicate a larger issue. Solutions will vary depending on the cause. Additionally, roof stains can come in multiple forms. Let's look at the different types of roof stains and discoloration and what they mean.
Green or Black Roof Stains
While an in-depth inspection of your roof is best left to the professionals, you can often notice roof stains from the ground. Are the roof stains on your roof green or black? This type of roof stain indicates growing organisms such as algae or moss.
Roof shingles can grow a species of algae known as "gloeocapsa magma." This species of algae can typically be seen in streaks or patches of slime that are moist and slippery. The presence of this species of algae is connected to excessive moisture and sunlight, an area which allows microorganisms to thrive. Unlike other causes, algae isn't an immediate danger. But, algae can invite other visitors like larger creatures who are known to lead to bigger roofing issues. If your roof has the presence of this algae, turn to our professional roof cleaning services to eliminate the algae from your roof and the stains it causes.
White or Yellow Stains
The presence of white or yellow stains on your roof is completely different from green or black stains. White or yellow roof stains are linked to hard water buildup, most likely from air conditioning equipment or an evaporator cooler. The water, labeled as "hard water," contains a high amount of minerals like calcium and magnesium. Hard water can eventually lead to white and yellow stains on your roof, making it look unkempt and unsightly.
Treating these roof stains is a tricky task. Failing to use the wrong methods and equipment can make the roof stains and other issues worse.
How to Clean Roof Stains?
There are multiple ways you can eliminate roof stains. If you decide to go the DIY route, safety is your top priority. Make sure if you do go DIY, you're wearing a full-body harness. For the cleaning portion, you can go in multiple directions, but you'll need a hand sprayer, cleaning solution, gloves and goggles, and a long garden hose.
For minimal roof stains, apply water to start then add the cleaning solution. You can lightly scrub the cleaning solution and water to get rid of the not-so-difficult stains and then rinse off with water. For the more difficult roof stains or mold and mildew growth, follow the same process but add more pressure from your hose.
The truth of the matter is choosing a professional to clean your and eliminate these roof stains is the best way to go. Professional roof cleaning services from Rising Star Roofing in Florida are designed to eliminate hard-to-deal-with roof stains and other underlying issues. Our team uses tried and true methods such as power washing which is best left to the experts because doing this on your own can damage your roof.
When to Call a Professional Roofer about Staining?
While it may be tempting to handle the staining on your roof by yourself, you should always consult with a roofing professional first. Roofing professionals like our team at Rising Star Roofing in Florida will be able to identify the true cause behind the stains on your roof. After we've identified the cause, our experience allows us to take the proper next steps with the necessary equipment and measures to remove the stains and prevent them in the future.
Contact us today to effectively remove the stains plaguing your roof and enjoy a home without blemishes once again. Rising Star Roofing is the leading provider in Florida when it comes to roofing repair and maintenance services and gutter services.