What are those black stains on the roof?
 
Those black stains are Algae. Algae appear as dark stains on shingles that cover a larger area near the eaves and taper as they reach the peak.
 
How does my roof get algae?
 
Algae is spread via airborne spores and can travel from one roof to another. The dark color you see is a coating that the algae creates to protect itself from harmful UV rays.
 
How do I get rid of it?
 
 
You have 2 options for the removal of algae
        1. Replace the roof. You can purchase shingles with algae resistance but this will only work for a period of time. Usually 5 to 20 years depending on the shingle and manufacturer. Eventually you will get algae growing on your roof. This is obviously the most expensive option.
        2. If a new roof is not an option, you can have your Tennessee roof cleaned with a special chemical mixture that has a main active ingredient of Sodium Hypochlorite. Be warned that improper use of chemicals can be hazardous. Following the proper procedures roof cleaning chemicals are as safe as what you put down your house hold drains.
 
Can I use a pressure washer to clean my shingles?
 
Yes you can BUT, the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association along with roofing manufacturers state that you should not pressure wash your shingles because it will dislodge the protective granules from the shingles thus causing premature failure.
 
Why can't you just clean the dirty spots?
 
Because we offer a 3 year no streak guarantee, we must clean the entire roof. These algae spores are small and are all over your roof. Just because you can not see them does not mean that they are not there. Because of this the entire roof must be treated. We want to keep you happy for years to come.
 
Are your chemicals safe?
 
With the proper handling procedures these chemicals are totally safe for you and your family members. Remember we treat your home as if we were working on our own. We also bag the down spouts and remove any run off for disposal.
 
We hear and read that we are not to use bleach on our roofs?
 
Sodium Hypochlorite is the main active ingredient in normal house hold bleach and it the only thing recommended by ARMA for the cleaning of algae from asphalt shingles. If this is bad then why do roofing manufacturers recommend it for cleaning your roof?
 
What about using Bio-Degradable chemicals?
 
There are several chemicals on the market today that claim to work. We have found that they do not work as well as our mixture. It requires you to use more chemical to achieve the same results and it also takes longer to work. With our mixture you will see immediate results. The question should be, how long does it take to degrade? Even uranium is bio degradable after 50,000 years or so. Now have you ever had to add chemicals to a pool? Every week I bet. That is because the chemicals are broken down by evaporation and sunlight thus rendering them inert. That is the same with the chemicals we use.
 
 
If you have any more questions not listed here please call us at 731-414-2446 or email us at:
steve@cardinalroofcleaning.com
 
 
 
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