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Replies (19)
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26830
Are the black streaks related to moss or mold, or are they related to nails?
- retrogameroom.com
- Contributions:215
I am almost positive it is not related to nails. My neighbors have the same issue and like my home, the side of the home facing south does not have a single streak.
- JimSulli456
- Contributions:2850
I could be wrong but I think it has to do with the way the shingles dry. There is actually a company around my area that "cleans" those streaks. They do a very good job, and I suggest them to every homeowner that lists with me that has that problem.
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26830
If you are in a dampish area, it is likely to be an algael or moss growth on the side that dries more slowly. There are many roofing companies that treat roofs to minimize this growth. A mild algael growth doesn't damage shingles, but can be ugly. Moss can cause damage.
- lucydjacobs
- Contributions:1271
It's was an epidemic around here. Now you don't see it as much. Not sure if it's because we went from 40-plus inches of rain a year to two years of no rain at all. Or If there is some new chemical treatment. I'm guessing drought.
I'll ask around to my Yuppie friends and report back.
- retrogameroom.com
- Contributions:215
Someone told me that they used a pressure washer to remove the marks on their roof. I don’t know if this is a good idea. Has anyone else heard of doing this?
- Mike_oxafloppin
- Contributions:2851
I have a customer that is a large roofing contractor and I asked him the question. He said there are types of acids that you can use to greatly reduce the staining but do NOT pressure was asphalt shingles ever. His comment to me is that a good pressure washer will turn a 20 year shingle into a 10 year shingle in a hurry.
- grannygown
- Contributions:35
I live in Florida, house facing north, roof is shingle 6 years old. I also have wide black streaks,started after the 03 hurricaines. I was told it could be cleaned but would shorten the life of the roof...
- lucydjacobs
- Contributions:1271
The acid protector sounds good. But I agree, pressure wash is a no-no. It's adding water to a water-caused problem.
- retrogameroom.com
- Contributions:215
The water is not what I am worried about. It rains on my roof all the time. :>)
It’s the 2000 PSI that worries me!
- Mike_oxafloppin
- Contributions:2851
2000 psi will take the coating right off the shingles.
- KentuckyRoofs
- Contributions:1
We have used Roof Cleaner QSE from Cleaner Today and had great results.
Check current prices at Cleaner Today in the Roof Cleaning Products department.
Check current prices at Cleaner Today in the Roof Cleaning Products department.
- supercub
- Contributions:1231
Bleed-Through or Extractive Bleeding Stains on Asphalt Shingles
Extractive bleeding or "bleed through" leaving black streaks running down an asphalt shingle roof is an indication of a defective roofing product. The chemistry of the shingle is permitting black pigment from the asphalt to leach to the shingle surface and run down the roof. Typically bleed-through on asphalt shingles appears as black streaks running down shingles. You'll see black streaks of varying length.
Because of variations during the shingle manufacturing process, and possibly because of variations in site conditions (sun, shading, slope, moisture), different roof areas or slopes on the same building may display different amounts of black staining. (This term is commonly used with wood shingles.)
- Jeff Molloy, "CheckmanJeff"
- Contributions:42
PLEASE dont try to pressure wash your roof! You will most likely damage the shingles rather then clean them. I see many stained roofs in the northeast and most dont appear to be damaged. Several people have had good luck with simple "house wash" products. Nothing works perfectly! I might suggest searching the roofing manufacturers web sites and those of building and roofing associations. Good Luck!
- ukchamps29
- Contributions:3
Use a product call Roof Reviver, http://roofreviver.com/
It is safe and easy to use, or you can find a professional to apply!
It is safe and easy to use, or you can find a professional to apply!
- Roof Cleaners PA
- Contributions:1
If you were to search for [link removed by moderator] you may find my company, pressurePros, Inc. We clean roofs professionally. Some interesting answers here. those streaks are a cyanobacteria called Gloeocapsa Magma. They cannot be pressure washed away. A treatment with a potent fungicide is the only good course of action. No more pressure than what comes from a garden hose should be used to rinse a roof.
- Roof cleaning by AE
- Contributions:1
Black streaks are caused by Gloeocapsa Magma feeding of of the limestone
filler. A non pressure delivery system is the only way to clean a roof. NO PRESSURE!! [hotlink and phone removed by Zillow moderator]
filler. A non pressure delivery system is the only way to clean a roof. NO PRESSURE!! [hotlink and phone removed by Zillow moderator]
- dkbradley
- Contributions:4
I had black stains on my roof too. After doing some research online I found a shingle cleaner called Roof Resolve, http://www.roofresolve.com/
It worked as described and was very affordable.
It worked as described and was very affordable.
How to remove black streaks from shingles?
I have a shingle roof that is still relatively new. On the northern side of the roof there are black streaks. The roof does not have any structural problems and this appears to be only a cosmetic concern.
Is there a safe way to remove these black streaks?
Thanks!
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