Ever look up at your roof to find black and dark green matter across the top? It is plant matter growing and feeding on your roof. Gross right? The name of those black streaks is gloeocapsa magma. Typically growing on the north side of your home’s roof, it is a very hardy strain of blue-green algae. This is an airborne algae/fungus. It travels through the air and lands on your roof and starts to grow and grow. When you look at your roof after a rain, the algae looks shiny and it really stands out. Like a plant, it is getting watered, time to grow more.
How does the blue-green algae get there in the first place? Today’s asphalt shingles contain a large amount of crushed limestone in the granules that provide the UV protection for your shingle. Gloeocapsa Magma feeds on the limestone in your shingles. The algae then multiplies and begins to form the unsightly black streaks that stains your roof.
The algae take root on the surface of your shingles helping to dislodge the protective granules on the shingle. As the algae grows naturally, the shingle begins to hold more moisture and heat. This additional moisture and heat aid to amplify the harmful UV rays of the sun. As more and more granules are damaged, the protective asphalt layer of your shingle gets exposed to those harmful UV rays and that is when the real damage begins! The shingle begins to break down leading to premature roof failure!
The damage isn’t just unsightly. Algae covered shingles retain much more heat than clean shingles. Surface temperatures of algae infected shingles can be 10 to 20% higher than clean shingles. As a result, shingles that are darkened by algae growth can increase air conditioning costs by at least several hundred dollars. This makes your home much more difficult to cool in the summer.
What can you do to avoid the costly and ugly damage to your roof? Trust the professionals at AJ Wells to assist you with your roof inspection, maintenance, and replacements. If you stay on top of algae-darkened shingles, then you should be able to maintain the look of your home without much money out of your pocket. However, if there’s been too much damage to complete a standard maintenance, we offer affordable shingle replacement and repair.
Posted in Roofing, Shingles by admin : August 19, 2011 - 12:21pm | No Comments »
To keep a sturdy roof over your family’s head, you must ensure you understand when it is essential to repair or
replace your roof. The longevity of your roof depends on your environmental conditions but it should generally last anywhere between 12 to 20 years. To ensure that your roof can withstand the Jacksonville, Florida, heat, storms, and all of Mother Nature’s wrath, it is essential to know when to replace your roof.
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When You Notice Signs of Roof Damage
There are a few warning signs that will alert you it is time to replace your roof. Of those warning signs, be sure to look for water leakage in your attic or in the room ceilings below the attic space. Also, check for missing, cracked, or damaged shingles that may allow for water seepage. In checking the condition of your shingles, if you notice any that are curled or cracked, then your roof requires immediate attention from a licensed Jacksonville, Florida, roofer. What’s the fastest way to determine if your roof is in need of a replacement? Look to your electricity bills first. A significant change in your heating or cooling bills may signify a serious issue with your roof.
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When You Want to Save Some Green by Being More Green
Aside from costly damage and natural wear and tear, another reason to have your roof replaced is if you’re looking to shrink your carbon footprint by taking advantage of innovative green roofing alternatives. By making small upgrades to your Jacksonville, Florida, home and roof, you can help the environment and lower your energy costs. What’s more is that most green roofing alternatives come with a 50-year warranty.
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When You Want to Increase Your Home’s Value
If you’re looking to sell your home or just renovate its appearance, a
new roof is an ideal suggestion to increase the home value. Although it is on the more costly side of home upgrades, its investment value is well worth its initial cost.
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Contact Us
To learn more about the benefits of replacing your roof,
contact our Jacksonville, Florida roofers today. We’re available at anytime for a free consultation to help you better understand your roofing needs.
Posted in Gutters, Roofing, Shingles by admin : June 21, 2011 - 10:20am | No Comments »
Are you unsure about when to replace or repair your roof? Due to Florida’s sweltering heat, many Jacksonville home roofs endure a tremendous amount of wear and tear from wind, rain, and especially heat. Taking care of your roof’s maintenance needs is key to sustaining your home’s value. Essentially, a roof should be treated as an investment. Without repairing or replacing your roof in a timely manner, it can cause eternal damage to the inside of your home, slowly decreasing its value and rapidly increasing your repair bill.
By calling AJ Wells Roofing Contractors for regular inspections, you can keep your home’s value up while also protecting you and your family from outside intruders through the roof. Since the 2011 hurricane season is quickly approaching, now is a great time to call a contractor out to inspect your roof for any leaks, cracks or other malfunctions. When a storm hits, it becomes more difficult to find a roofing contractor on when you need it. With broken phone lines, power outages, and damaged property, roofing contractors all over Jacksonville will be pulled in many different directions. Contact us today to save your home come what may tomorrow.
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Tags: roof maintenance, roofing repair, shingle maintenance, shingle repair
Posted in Roofing, Shingles by admin : May 31, 2011 - 11:01am | No Comments »
