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.
Is see streaks where the roof is drying unevenly.
The algae are usually brown to.
This is the first sign that you need to schedule a treatment for your roof.
Why you re seeing black spots or streaks.
Less paint means a lighter coat resulting in uneven paint streaks on your walls.
If you look even closer you re bound to notice that the black streaks are everywhere but one place in particular.
Although it may look like mold or fungi these unsightly black streaks or smear like stains may indicate a type of roof algae known in technical terms as gloeocaspa magma.
For soot dirt or tree droppings which typically produce only localized discoloration.
The algae have a weakness and it s the copper and zinc coating used on the sheet of metal flashing which is toxic and kills the growth.
If you try to finish over it with a brush some of the stain will probably come off on the brush and give the surface an uneven look.
It can be mistaken.
Near the metal flashing that s around chimneys and roof vents.
You ll typically see gloeocapsa magma forming on areas of your roof that don t receive direct sunlight.
Thankfully the fix to this doesn t involve sanding.
Black in color which results in a streaked dirty looking rooftop.
So unfortunately you re going to have more work ahead of you to get rid of them.
You ve never really taken a good look before but yes it s there.
This blackish algae creeps it way across neighborhood roofs gradually turning your home s asphalt shingles an ugly dark brown or black.
This algae growth usually begins as small spots and then eventually becomes visible streaks.
The stain did not take well on wood milled with the grain and on cross cuts the stain soaked into the wood giving.
Algae growth causes a dark discoloration.
Stains and streaks can show up easily on roofing and siding over time thanks to a whole host of nuisances including mold mildew and plain ol dirt.
The most common type is known as gloeocapsa magma also known as blue green algae.
Once the algae have infested your roof you ll see black spots begin to form.
You could spray several light coats of finish over the stain but the adhesion between the finish stain and wood will not be very high.
You re outside taking care of some yard work and you suddenly notice streaking on your roof and siding.
All you need to do is wait for it to completely dry and then apply another coat of paint.
This week s question comes from robert.