A well maintained asphalt roof is a beautiful finish to your home, especially since your roof is 40% of what people see of the exterior of your home. However, if you allow your asphalt roof to be ignored, it will quickly become an eyesore. Over time, this eyesore will begin to break down, leading to damage to your home, both inside and out. While asphalt is a sturdy material, if left untreated, it can begin to decay.
Evolution, For Better or For Worse
As the price of asphalt began to rise, manufacturers began mixing in crushed limestone as filler in the shingles to cut down on the amount of asphalt used and the associated cost. While this allowed the costs to stay relatively affordable, it brought new issues along for the ride. Limestone, while overall a durable material, is a natural fertilizer, especially for algae. Therefore, algae will slowly gravitate to the roof, starting with the north side where it is shady, because sunlight inhibits its growth.
Combine this addition of limestone with the evolution of gloecapsa magma, the type of algae typically found on roofs, and the problem begins. This type of algae was prevalent in the South for a very long time, until more areas of limestone (its natural fertilizer) were found in the North. This evolution gave the algae the food source necessary to migrate north – and eventually to our rooftops. This algae actually grows a dark protective layer over it to protect it from the sun, since the sun slows its growth. This is why the average person sees black streaks on your roof.
One Thing Leads to Another
Moss follows algae the way a dog follows a scent. If your roof is infected with algae, moss will surely find its way to your roof and cause an even bigger problem. Moss will literally raise the granules which will result in the granules falling off and affecting the sturdiness of the shingle. As the shingles begin to fall off, your roof is unprotected, which leads to leaks and other damage in your home, creating a whirlwind of issues that any homeowner would love to avoid.
As a result of these issues, your roof can sustain damage that not only is costly in roof repairs, but can also cost much more in actual home damage. For example, failing to maintain your roof can allow mold to grow inside your wall spaces and throughout your home. Once the roof starts to deteriorate, you permit a fair amount of moisture into areas that would otherwise be protected. These areas do not have natural drainage systems and can eventually become a haven for mold to grow in. Mold is not only costly to repair in your home, but it can also create horrific health issues for anyone living in your home.
To learn more about the issues that may be affecting your roof and what you can do to prevent these issues from causing damage, contact the experts at Roof to Deck Restoration at (651) 699-3504. Their skilled employees will be happy to help you maintain the beauty of your roof for years to come.