Contrary to popular belief, roof cleaning is about more than just having a nice-looking house. It's also about attending to the overall health of your roof and home. The black streaks that you're seeing on your roof consist of Gloeocapsa Magma, which is a hardy type of blue-green algae that if left to its own devices will eventually start to compromise the integrity of your shingles.
Usually the process begins when an algae spore lands on and attaches to your roof. It then begins to consume the limestone filler in your shingles' granules. The limestone acts as a food source for the algae and allows it to grow and eventually cover larger and larger portions of your roof's surface. So as the algae grows across your roof it is literally eating the shingles! If the growth goes unchecked it will eventually cause loss of roof granules, which are vital to the reflective properties of your roof. When these granules are lost it leads to greater heat build-up which leads to higher energy costs for you, especially on those hot summer days when the AC is blasting!
Loss of granules and the further deterioration of your shingles could very well shave years off the life of your roof, and with new roofs running between $5,000 and $15,000 these days for average homes, why wouldn't you do everything in your power to max out its lifespan? Take my advice to have your roof cleaned as needed and you'll not only enjoy a nicer-looking home but you'll be protecting probably your biggest investment: your home! To learn more about what qualities to look for in a service provider please read this post about roof cleaners.
