The first thing to note is that what you re seeing is the result of a cyanobacteria known as gloeocapsa magna.
Black streaks on roof.
Believe it or not those black streaks only appear on roofs in certain areas of the country.
The black streaks running down roofs are actually a hardy algae called gloeocapsa magma.
While the streaks do not cause a great deal of damage they can cause the shingle to age prematurely.
Those that tend to be the most humid furthermore they will only appear on the north side of the roof.
They re actually algae otherwise known as gloeoapsa magma and they are as nasty as they are resilient.
Black streaks on roof.
Although these dark spots and ugly black streaks on your roof may look like dirt mildew soot or mold what they really are is algae.
Black streaks on shingled roofs are a common though mysterious sight.
As the blue green algae.
It feeds on the limestone filler in your asphalt shingles.
The algae feed off of the limestone within the roof shingles.
The black streaks are also known as black algae or roof mold.
While it can be displeasing to look at gloeocapsa magma can impact your roof far beyond its aesthetics.
It s also known as blue green algae in the roofing business.
Technically the black streaks on roofs are a form of algae known as gloeocapsa magma.
Though gloeocapsa magna has literally been around for centuries it didn t make its ugly presence known as a major problem in the u s.
While not immediately damaging they can prematurely age shingles.
The streaks are caused by a type of algae known as gloeocapsa magma.
What are those ugly black streaks on my roof.
The most common type is known as gloeocapsa magma also known as blue green algae.
Algae arrive on the rooftop through the air in the form of spores or clumps of cells.
Over time this algae accumulates developing a black outer coating which causes stains on roof shingles.
This blackish algae creeps it way across neighborhood roofs gradually turning your home s asphalt shingles an ugly dark brown or black.
Here s what they are and what to do about them.