Green and black algae are not only ugly to look at, but it also is a threat to the roof shingles of your house. As algae feeds and spreads it deteriorates the shingle granules reducing the effectiveness of the shingle. Coastal houses, more so than inland homes, are very vulnerable to roof damage due to salt air and wind off the ocean.

What Is Fungus

Fungus is an algae that is dark brown, green or black in colors and causes streaking on roof shingles. At times these streaks are thought to be things like soot, dirt, or moss, which is usually a mistake. Areas that are warmer with high humidity levels are more likely at risk. This makes coastal houses a prime target for algae accumulation on coastal roofs.

Cleaning and Replacement

Yes, you can clean your roof, but some methods of cleaning can cause unnecessary wear to the shingles. Pressure washing or using harsh chemicals can wash away the roofs protective coating not to mention damage the environment. Many of today’s higher quality shingles have an algae-resistant barrier built-in. This barrier helps protect the roof from the unsightly streaks and maintenance hassles caused by algae.

You can also buy high quality shingles that have a algae-resistant barrier built-in. The algae-resistant barrier protects the shingles from streaks caused by algae. CertainTeed produces an asphalt shingle with an algae-resistant Streak-Fighter feature in the shingle.

In Closing

Take a look at your roof. If you start seeing streaks develop, you should either purchase the products to clean your roof or hire someone to do it for you. If your shingles are worn and you are considering installing a new roof, consider using a high quality shingle that has an algae resistant barrier built in.

Hubert Miles is the founder of Coastal Homes US, an online marketing service that provides Coastal Houses and Coastal Houses For Sale available in the US and Canada.

When purchasing a new home, buyers ask about the condition of many items such as the electrical, plumbing, roof, HVAC, and the foundation. Many never ask about mold, which is quickly becoming of the major causes of needed home repairs or renovations.

There are many types of mold that can grow in a home. Mold causes not only structural problems, but also potential health problems to you and your family. Mold is difficult to locate as it resides in dark damp areas that are usually in attics, crawl spaces and basements where there are existing problems with ventilation and water leaks.

By the time mold shows up in the visible living areas of the home, chances are the structural members of the home in that are consumed by mold. At this point the only option is the completely remove the affected structural parts of the home and replace with new materials.

The areas we discussed that are most likely to be affected by mold are not the only potentially affected areas. Other affected areas include the interior in the event that the home flooded or even from a failed appliance like a busted water heater or flooded washing machine, leaky pipes, or flooded basements.

When an inspector checks your home, he may use a moisture meter or a thermal imaging camera. Tools like these allow the inspector to find moisture problems that may not be visible with the naked eye. If moisture levels of 20% or higher are discovered in the home mold could be present as this is an ideal situation for mold to grow.

Closing Comments

Be proactive if you feel your home is susceptible to mold or has experienced moisture problems in the past. You should get your home inspected annually by a certified mold inspector. Staying on top of the situation will not only save you repair dollars but also protect you familys health.

Hubert Miles is the founder of Riverfront Houses USA offering listings of Riverfront Houses and Riverfront Houses For Sale in the US and Canada.