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HOW IS YOUR ROOF
HOLDING UP?
It is safe to guess that the vast majority of shingle roofs are
medium to low quality with warranties that range from 15 to 25 years. The
same shingle continues to get longer warranties. Manufacturer placed
petroleum distillates, copper and zinc granules in varying amounts in and
on the shingle prevent algae and fungus growth over varying periods of
time according to uncontrollable variables. As the shingle ages and is
subjected to the extremes in local weather, it deteriorates losing is
granules and its fungus fighting capabilities. It is not uncommon for low
quality shingles to exhibit a lot of algae/fungus staining in just three
years while most roofs are stained partially or completely within the
four to five year range. Black algae/fungus staining will first exhibit
itself on the north side of the roof, then the west, south and east.
Green algae staining is caused by close or overhanging trees. Either
staining process will occur if you haven't maintained and protected your
roof with Shingle GuardTM or similar type product.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO
IF YOUR ROOF BEGINS TO STAIN?
The answer is clean it immediately! Here's why: As the algae and
fungus grow on your roof, they eat away the base of the shingle and
expand and contract with the outside temperature. This growth and
movement loosens the granules, creating premature granule loss,
dramatically shortening the life of your roof. A 25-year roof may not even
last 15 years if nothing is done. A fungus-covered roof not only is an
eyesore but it is unhealthy as well; do you want fungus spores all over,
around and in your home? And what about those people with allergies? In
addition, the fungus covered roof keeps under roof temperatures a lot
higher by preventing the reflective capabilities of the granules from
doing their job. These soaring under roof temperatures make your air
conditioner work a lot harder and increase your electric bills sometimes
as much as several hundred dollars a year. Finally, homeowner
associations are becoming more abundant, primarily to maintain and
enhance value of the individual homes and neighborhoods. You are not
alone in the appearance of your home, therefore, at the first sign of algae/fungus
staining, it makes good sense to clean your roof. This is not difficult
to accomplish!
DO-IT-YOURSELF OR
HIRE A PROFESSIONAL?
You can hire a professional company like Shingle CareTM
that offers several roof-cleaning services designed to meet your needs
and budget. You can clean your roof yourself and save labor costs but you
need to think twice about that decision. Is it worth the risk of falling
or damaging the roof to save a few dollars? You can purchase commercial
grade roof cleaners at The Home Depot or Lowes’ or use bleach or pool
chlorine, but these methods can leave you with a streaked roof, dead
shrubbery and grass. Due to environmental and safety concerns, chlorine
is not recommended. (Chlorine has no cleaning capabilities at all, it is
only a bleach, and results are very temporary).
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER
YOUR ROOF HAS BEEN CLEANED?
When
your roof is clean the one thing you can count on is that it will get
dirty again quicker, sometimes a lot quicker, than the first time. Why?
Because your roof's fungus fighting capabilities have diminished over
time and you have had granule loss. Did you clean your roof with
chlorine? If so, your shingle life was shortened because it will dry out
and crack the shingles and fungus will grow sooner. It is interesting to
note that some manufacturers recommend that roofs actually be cleaned
with bleach or chlorine---of course, they are in the business of selling
shingles, therefore, the quicker your roof succumbs, the quicker they
will be able to sell you a new roof.
There
are also all of the uncontrollable variables that help hasten
algae/fungus staining. First, fungus will always appear initially on the
north side of the house and roof. This is because moisture stays there
longer and, as noted above, algae/fungus needs three things to grow:
moisture, heat and a nutrient. Other variables besides the direction you
house faces are the type, grade and manufacturer of your shingles,
whether you have a pond or pool nearby creating abundant moisture and how
hot and humid the weather is. Continuous warm weather promotes fungus
growth. Also, if you have trees near your house and they shade the roof,
that will promote quicker fungus growth. If you haven't cleaned the
leaves and pine needles off, that keeps your roof ripe for fungus growth,
too.
WHAT SHOULD YOU
DO?
It's safe to say that its impossible to control all of the above
mentioned variables, but you can fight them and win with preventative
maintenance services or long term protection. Shingle Care Systems
distributes outstanding products worldwide that are specifically designed
to protect your roof, keep it clean over time resulting in actually
extending the life of your roof. CLICK HERE
FOR INFORMATION ON THE SHINGLE GUARDTM MAINTENANCE PLAN and
SHINGLE COAT™ long-term protection.
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