Have you had a look at your roof lately and found there are black streaks? While it is mostly a cosmetic problem, it can lead to some serious issues. Plus, it can also detract from the value of your home. The best thing to do is speak to us and arrange a professional service. We provide expert advice as well as the finest roof cleaning in Camberley and across Surrey and Berkshire.

What is it?

Before you commit to a service, you should ensure you know what the streaks are and what causes it. While it might just look like dirt, it is actually algae. More specifically, it is often a species known as gloeocapsa magma. When most people think of algae they generally picture it as being green. However, different types can be various colours. This variety is black because of the pigment in the outer coating. It acts as a shield against UV to help prevent it from drying out in the sun.

The algae has become more and more common in various parts of the world. Generally this is due to the type of roofing materials. Any that contain limestone as a filler will be more attractive because it is a food source.

It is also more common to see the black algae in warm, humid areas. The UK can have excellent conditions for growth in spring, summer, and autumn because of the humidity. You may want to arrange roof cleaning in Camberley and other areas to tackle the issue.

How does it get on the roof?

The most common question people have when they consider black streaks is how did the algae get there? The spores are airborne, so the wind can carry them long distances and deposit them on roofs.

Sadly this means it is impossible to stop them. If one property near your house has the streaks, you will likely develop them in the future too. It might just take a while for the algae to spread to a point where it is visible.

Getting rid of it

The positive thing here is it isn’t too difficult to get rid of the streaks. You simply need to remove the algae. A roof clean can do the trick. However, you need to be careful. Working on the roof is dangerous and a fall can happen if you don’t have the right equipment and experience. There is also a risk you could damage the roof while working on it or depending on how you clean it.

The best thing to do is choose us for roof cleaning in Camberley and other areas. We have the skills and experience to work efficiently and safely. Most importantly, we know how to get rid of algae, moss, dirt and more without damaging the roof. We use gentle techniques instead of pressure washing or relying on powerful chemicals. It provides the best results.

Prevention

As we said above, it is impossible to stop algae from getting on the roof. Instead, what you need to do is focus on prevention. There are several things you can do in this regard. For example, you can be more proactive with maintenance. Plus, you can try to make the roof less hospitable for growths by ensuring there are no shady spots.

You can also invest in materials that kill the algae. Copper or zinc strips are a great idea. Installing them near the peak of the roof will send molecules washing down when it rains. They can kill organic growths.

Getting new roof materials generally won’t be necessary if the current ones are in good condition and only suffer from the black streaks. However, if you do need to replace them in the future, it can be a good idea to choose new ones that don’t contain limestone. Ideally you should select materials with copper or zinc to make the roof less hospitable.

Do you want to arrange roof cleaning in Camberley?

If you do have black streaks and want to hire professionals to get rid of them, we are the team for you. Our reputation is fantastic because we always work to the highest standards. We are also honest and transparent in terms of what we do, how we clean, and what it means for the client.

So, if you want roof cleaning in Camberley, contact us for a quote.