My Florida Roof Is Discolored. Should I Be Worried?

After many years of sun, rain, and wind damage, you may notice your Florida roof showing signs of discoloration. Discoloration appears as dark spots, large black streaks, or concentrated areas of brown stains. Those discolored spots are not dirt-staining your shingles or tiles; they are signs of algae growth on your roofing system.

What is roof algae?

Roof algae can form on the exterior of the system in small spots. Airborne algae spores thrive in Florida’s humid and warm climate. Extreme Florida temperatures can cause algae to grow faster over time. The algae usually create a pigmented coating to protect itself from UV rays. This can appear as discoloration. Over time, these dark spots will become black streaks. About one to two months after the initial algal growth, a Florida homeowner will notice discoloration.

Is roof algal growth harmful?

Do not panic if you see algae growing on your Florida roof. If you think of the dark streaks as mold, they can be scary. However, if you catch it early, you can stop and correct the growth. Roofs can be cleaned of algae without damaging the roof’s integrity. If algae have been on your roof for a long time, it may have stained the reflective granules of your roofing materials like tiles or shingles. The long-term effects of algae can affect your roof’s ability to resist heat damage and keep your home cool.

How to remove algae?

Roof algae cannot be removed by pressure cleaning. Professional roof cleaning is the best way to remove algae from residential roofing systems. Roofers are able to assess the roof damage and inspect it. The roof will be cleaned with a roof-safe solution, and the algae will be removed. A thorough roof cleaning might not be sufficient to remove severe stains from a Florida roof. Replace certain tiles or shingles, install a roof drainage system, or replace the roof.

Florida homeowners don’t have to search far for a reliable roofing expert. Roofing.co is a trusted roofing company that has served residents in Florida for over 31 years. Roofing.co has one main goal: to provide top-quality service and work to our clients while fostering a long-term relationship with them. Our family-owned business takes great pride in the roofing projects that we plan and implement. Contact Roofing.Co for more information about how we can restore your Florida roof system.”

This article was written by a roofing professional at Roofing.co. At Roofing.co, we’re determined to be the only one you need to hire when looking for a Tampa roofing contractor. We take a modern, professional approach to the roofing business in order to ensure our customers in St. Petersburg and the Central Florida region have the best possible experience whenever they choose us.