Lichen is a photosynthetic fungus that has roots that wrap around the granules feeding on the nutrients of the gm and the filler in the shingles.
Fungal growth on roof shingles.
These kinds of organic growth will degrade cedar roofs much faster than a lot of other roofing issues.
This unique advance in shingle technology gives long term fungus protection for the entire roof.
It is easily spread and causes those colorful stains on so many roofs.
It needs heat moisture and nutrients to grow.
Some moss or fungi development you may see are dark brown or black spots that weaken shakes or shingles.
Scrubbing or power washing the lichen will only do more damage.
Known as black algae or roof mold gloeocapsa magma is usually blamed on dirt accumulation mold and mildew or defective shingles.
Once on the roof lichen cannot easily be removed.
You can find more information on these special roofing shingles here.
Some roof shingle materials contain algaecides or fungicides which will also retard moss growth on the roof surface.
Algae resistant shingles or ar shingles for short began when shingle manufacturers looked for ways to gain market share.
It s actually just a blue green algae spread by airborne spores.
However most of the anti algae products also work in fighting fungal growth.
A brief history of algae resistant shingles.
Most of the stains on the average atlanta roof are the result of algae and not fungus.
On an asphalt or possibly some treated wood shingle roofs shingle chemistry is also involved in moss lichens and algae growth or resistance to it.