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on the property value, roof algae will greatly diminish your house’s curb
appeal when you are trying to sell it. A house with an algae-streaked roof can
bring down the whole neighborhood’s reputation. It’s bad enough that algae
streaks mar your home’s appearance, but they can also affect your energy
bills. Since algae appears on your roof as a black mark, it is darker than your
original shingle color. Algae build-up also blocks the reflective properties of
your roof shingles. Both of these situations cause your roof to start absorbing
more heat, rather than reflecting it. Algae grows on the limestone granules in
asphalt shingles. As the algae consume the limestone, the shingle is
weakened. As time goes on, algae can combine with fungus on your roof to
produce a more advanced life form, a lichen. Lichen is much sturdier, more
destructive, and harder to remove from a roof than algae is. Furthermore,
lichen is a gateway to moss on your roof.
Of course, the most effective method for dealing with algae on your
roof shingles is to avoid the situation entirely. While roofing experts have
designed methods to safely remove algae and its stains from your roof, these
treatments can be costly and time-consuming. Algae resistant roofs are the
best way to keep your home safe from this threat.
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