The dark streaks that algae leave behind aren’t as harmless as you think. Aside from lowering your curb appeal, these streaks can weaken your asphalt roof over time. The roof repair experts at Wood’s Roofing elaborate on how algae can cause roof damage and how to prevent it below.
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How Algae Can Weaken Your Asphalt Roof
Limestone makes asphalt shingles more resistant against UV rays and the elements. However, at the same time, it’s the reason why asphalt shingles are vulnerable to algae—limestone is a food source prests.
Apart from eating away limestone, algae also produce a pigment that absorbs heat from the sun. Excess heat is then transferred onto your roof, causing your shingles to expand and contract as temperatures rise and drop. Repeated contractions and expansions can dislodge parts of your roof or cause cracks to form.
How to Protect Your Roof
Scrubbing the algae off before they can do serious damage is always an option, but that might take too much of your time. A more time-efficient option would be to install algae-resistant shingles. In particular, we recommend GAF’s® StainGuard™ Plus shingles to our clients.
What Makes StainGuard Shingles Different?
Manufacturers add layers of copper, which has antibacterial properties, to their shingles to prevent cyanobacteria or algae from forming on their surface. However, these layers of copper don’t last long.
To ensure its shingles remain algae-resistant for a longer period, GAF infused copper-coated mineral granules throughout their surface. These capsules slowly but continuously release enough copper to inhibit the formation of algae and keep your roof stain-free. To make sure GAF’s StainGuard technology works properly, only hire a certified roofing contractor.
Looking for certified contractors near your area?
Wood’s Roofing, a family-owned GAF Master Elite® contractor, offers a wide range of professional roofing services, including roof repair services. To request a free quote, call us at (863) 513-7775 or leave us a message here. We serve homeowners in Winter Haven and Lakeland, FL.
