What makes those Black Roof Stains?

Today I would like to illuminate what it is that actually causes those Black Stains on your roof. 

It all started about 10 years ago when the roof shingle manufacturers decided that they need to reduce the amount of oil based products in the shingles to save money. In order for the shingles to keep some resemblance of sturdiness they needed to add a new filler. The filler happen to become Limestone. Unfortunately limestone happens to be a very good food for the algae. Consider that these type of shingles also tend to hold more moisture than the older paper/asphalt/ceramic shingles of 20 years ago, now the shingle is perfect for algae colony growth.

From what I have read, the the algae infestation started out in the Southeast and spread to the Midwest and now the Northeast. Once the algae creates it UV protective coating, you begin to notice the black spots and streaks on the roof. These stains will increase each year until the color of your roof shingles are long gone. 

There are mixed signals coming out of the community as to the harmfulness of these stains to your roof and household residents, but let's consider this:

1) My wife Debbie and I looked at many different shingle colors before we settled on Sienna Red to match the house color. How upset would you or we be if that Sienna Red is now replaced by Black Spots and streaks. Talk about lack of curb appeal!!

2) The Black Spots are a sign that the colony has developed a UV protective cover so it can grow. As the black spots and streaks cover your roof they are taking away the reflective power of the shingle heating up your residence and increasing your energy costs. Some sources claim that it will increase your energy expense by 20% OUCH!

3) The algae is feeding on the limestone filler in your shingles! They are eating the roof on the biggest investment you have ever made. As they eat the limestone filler the shingles granular coating comes lose and washes away with the rain. Now you have increased heat attraction from the black algae coating and the reflective granular coating is wearing away, can you see how they come up with a 20% increase in energy expense.

4) This is the worst reason of all, because of the additional moisture, loss of granular coating, additional heat concentration, your shingles are now experiencing premature aging! Do you believe this, now you have to replace a 20 year shingle in 8 years!!!

Look, this is great for your local roofer, they are busier than ever replacing roofs before their time and selling you shingles that now contain an algicide, at a premium price. The bottom line is that if you just clean the roof  before it gets out of hand you will save a truck load of money.

The Pool Nightmare Finally Ends!

Well I finally made it back here. 

The pool has been a bear to get set right. As mentioned before, I had a new liner put in. That liner came down within hours of it's installation. The guys came back and put it up again, no problem. Started filling it that afternoon, Debbie and I decided to go out that night, so I shut off the water. 

The next morning the backyard is a swamp and 1/2 the water is out of the pool. What a hassel. I call the installer again, he comes by the next day and finds a cut along the seam. It's a new liner so I can either get it replaced or fix it, my call. I make the wrong call. I tell them go ahead and fix it so it will be ready for my daughters High School Graduation party. They put on the patch, I start filling the pool again. 

The next morning the pool water level is lower than the night before, I hit the roof, more mad at myself than anything else. I call the pool installer again, the owner comes by this time, applies another patch and tells me that he will order me a new liner. At this point it a losing proposition for both of us.

The liner finally arrives after the July 4Th weekend . The installers come by and put it in. Do you know, every 15 minutes I checked the water line to make sure I did not have any new problems. Thank goodness, it is just perfect. I finally have my pool back, it looks great and sooo relaxing! 

My advice, if you get a new liner and it leaks, don't waste one moment, have it pulled out and replaced, it is not worth the aggravation.

I want to thank Bret at Aqua Pro Pool in East Brunswick, NJ. He is a great guy, and did all the right things to make this a happy ending.