Does It Matter if My Roof Is Stained?

Causes of Roof Staining & Discoloration

Do your roof shingles look wet even when they are dry? Are you seeing black stains on your roof? Seeing discoloration or staining on your roof can be distressing, especially if you do not know the cause. You likely are concerned that the staining indicates larger problems, and you may be right. Several things can cause staining on your roof, some of which require repair service and others that may not.

Common causes of roof discoloration:

  • Sun/UV damage
  • Moss growth
  • Algae growth
  • Rust staining
  • Defective roofing materials

Roof staining can indicate a problem, so it shouldn’t be ignored. You have a few options for dealing with roof staining or discoloration. However, your options will depend on what is causing the roof staining. Keep reading to learn more about addressing three major causes of roof staining.

Algae Issues

Algae is the number one cause of roof discoloration issues. Roof algae can look like dark greenish or black streaks. Algae can grow on any type of roof and most often affects roof areas that do not receive much sunlight (such as a north-facing roof section). When algae is left to grow unchecked, it can turn into lichen. Lichen is a composite organism and occurs when algae and fungus combine. Lichen is extremely difficult to remove.

It is very important that if you have algae growth on your roof, you have it taken care of immediately. Over time, the algae (and lichen) can deteriorate your roofing materials. Aside from specifically engineered algae-resistant shingles, all types of roofing can suffer from algae growth, including asphalt, tile, and wood shingle roofing.

To resolve roof algae issues, contact our roof repair specialists. We discourage homeowners from attempting DIY algae removal as many DIY methods can lead to further roof damage. We can help you address the current algae problem and help prevent it from coming back.

Review our blog here to learn more about what to do when moss or algae is growing on your roof.

How to Clean Roof Stains

As previously mentioned, roof staining is most often caused by algae growth. However, it may also be caused by rusting metal elements on the roof. Light staining, or staining that is recent, can be cleaned by applying a cleaning solution to the roof and then rinsing it off. If this doesn’t work, you will need to take more stringent measures. Cleaning significant staining usually involves pressure washing your roof, which should only be done by a professional roofer.

Discoloration or bleaching resulting from UV damage or manufacturer defect typically cannot be fixed without replacing your roofing materials. This can be expensive, and we recommend consulting with our roofing experts first to determine if it is worth the cost.

When to Call a Professional Roofer about Discoloration & Staining

Whenever you have a roofing problem, it is smart to speak with professionals before doing anything. If you see signs of staining, bleaching, or other discoloration, the first step is determining the cause. The cause will help identify what, if anything, can be done to rectify the issue. It will also inform which methods we use to address the staining.

Do you have roof staining or discoloration? Call Lyons Roofing today for guidance. We aim to provide you with the most effective solution to your problem, and we always offer you honest advice.

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