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Tag: roof maintenance

4 Types of Fungi that Can Grow on Your Roof

While you may believe that you are the only one living in your house, there may be some microscopic creatures making a home above your head. Roofs are the perfect place for fungi to live due to the damp and humid conditions, and leaving these organisms on your roof can have disastrous consequences. The best thing you can do is keep an eye out, and as soon as you spot it, you can get it removed to save your roof from further damage. But how do you know what to watch out for? This blog post will go over the 4 types of fungi that you might see growing on your roof.

Algae

Algae is a living organism that feeds off the limestone filler in shingles. Once the spores land on a moist area, they quickly spread and devour the roof. Algae is black-green in color and it loves to grow on damp, humid areas like roofs and gutters.

Algae eats away at shingles, taking years off the life of your roofing; you’ll have to get it replaced sooner rather than later, which can cost $10,000 or more. Not only that, but algae can also increase your electricity bills. Since the growth of algae covers the roof, the shingles aren’t able to effectively block UV rays, thus heating up the interior and forcing your A/C unit to work overtime. As soon as you notice algae on your roof, you have to act, as it can cost you thousands of dollars if you don’t get rid of it immediately.

Moss

Moss is distinguished by its fuzzy texture and vibrant green color. Some homeowners like the appearance of moss on their roof and keep it there for aesthetic reasons; however, the quaint forest cottage look comes at a risk – as moss can be detrimental to your roof.

Moss is attracted to damp, low-sunlit areas and contains moisture that can seep into shingles, causing roof rot. A rotting roof has poor structural integrity, leading to a flood of other issues. If you like the look of moss and know how to properly maintain it, moss can be a great addition to the roof of your home. But, if you dislike the look, getting it removed is the best option.

Mold

Mold is the most problematic fungi on this list. Not only is it ugly, but it can actually cause severe health problems, such as allergies, asthma, and other respiration issues. This organism is characterized by a slimy appearance and rancid smell. It can be brown or dark green in color, but black mold is the most hazardous.

Mold grows on moist wood and drywall, so roofing is the perfect place for it to grow. Once mold finds a home on your roof, it spreads fast. A roof leak can cause it to get inside of your home, and then circulate through the HVAC system. It also eats away at the structural integrity of your house, and simply the presence of mold decreases the value of your property. If you notice mold growing anywhere in your home, make sure you contact licensed professionals right away to remove it.

Mildew

Mildew has a powdery texture and can be light gray, black, or even pink. It loves warm, wet areas and especially grows on roofs with poor drainage. Mildew is known for spreading extremely fast, and it can be incredibly unsafe if you let it grow and fester.

Just like mold, mildew is a serious health hazard. Breathing it in for prolonged periods of time is dangerous, especially to those with asthma or other respiratory problems. Not cleaning your roof puts your family’s health at risk; make sure that you call the professionals right away as soon as you notice mildew growing on your home.

Conclusion

Algae, moss, mold, and mildew thrive in moist, humid areas. While there are ways to prevent them from growing, the absolute best way to stop them from spreading is by getting your roof cleaned regularly. At Oceanside Pressure Washing and Roof Cleaning, we offer quick and affordable pressure washing services to keep your roof fungus-free! With our pressure washing services, you’ll keep your home clean and your family healthy!

3 Reasons Why You Should Clean Out Your Gutters

No one likes thinking about cleaning out their gutters over the weekend. In fact, the simple aversion to the task can cause an otherwise responsible homeowner to sleep on their gutter care altogether. Fortunately enough, our team is at the ready to dish out the wakeup call you need to motivate you to call a professional team and leave those gutters spotless. And what better way to do this than describe in gruesome detail the consequences that come along with neglecting your home gutter care?

Read on for a brief rundown of three of the biggest reasons you should invest in an experienced gutter cleaning!

Roof Damage

This should come as no surprise. After all, if neglecting to look after your gutters didn’t result in some kind of repercussion for your roofing, there’d be no reason to clean them out. Unfortunately, if you skimp on the cleaning, the consequences will be as clear as day.

One of the major forms of damage when dealing with clogged gutters is rot and mold. When water isn’t able to flow freely through the fixture, it can quickly overflow and cause mold and other contaminants to grow freely. Not only that, the water can even make its way into your home and leave you at risk of inhaling the harmful substance.

Garden Damage

Of course, clogged gutters damage more than your property’s interior. If your gutters become clogged to the point that water begins to spill from the sides, your garden bed is in line for some serious damage. You may be religious in staying on top of watering your precious plants, but if that excess water is regularly spilling over your greenery, you could effectively drown your plants and kill them before they have a chance to bloom!

Pests

It’s often recommended that you clean your gutters twice a year in the spring and in the fall. This is primarily because of the pests that can quickly make their gutters your home should you neglect to take the proper precautions. Bees, hornets, and wasps are some of the most common tenants you can expect but these aren’t all you can look forward to. Birds, termites, mosquitoes, and even rodents will be more than eager to take up residence somewhere that’ll keep them warm during the colder seasons.

Conclusions

Needless to say, the state of your gutters affect much more than simply the appearance of your home’s exterior. If keeping your property clean wasn’t enough of a convincing argument, consider the other consequences of a poorly maintained gutter system we mentioned and find a trustworthy team you can rely on to keep your home and its inhabitants safe.