| p>Log Home Restoration is generally thought of as | | | | rays of the sun. This in turn causes excessive heat |
| repairing or improving the interior and exterior logs | | | | build up in the attic which not only causes higher |
| and other woodwork of a log home. This can be as | | | | cooling costs, but also increases premature |
| simple as cleaning the home and applying a fresh coat | | | | deterioration of the shingles. Another problem if let |
| of stain or can be as complicated as performing | | | | untreated, the algae buildup acts as a bed for leaves, |
| major rot repair and log replacement. However, | | | | dirt and pollen to collect creating a home for mold |
| another aspect of log home restoration that is often | | | | and mildew as well as having the ability to cause |
| overlooked or thought to be beyond restoration is | | | | water to "dam" up under the shingles causing leaks. |
| the roof. Specifically asphalt shingled roofs. | | | | So it can be both an eyesore and a significant |
| Many log homes as well as conventional homes today | | | | problem. |
| with asphalt shingled roofs are streaked or | | | | The best advice is to have it removed by a |
| completely covered with a brownish-black stain. Many | | | | professional roof cleaning contractor when it |
| homeowners think these stains are signs of a worn | | | | becomes unsightly. The longer it stays on the roof |
| out roof that must be replaced. Oftentimes though, | | | | and the more it spreads, the more likely there will be |
| depending on the age of the roof, a good cleaning is | | | | problems and it will only cost more to remove it. |
| all that is needed. | | | | There are a few different ways to remove the |
| In the southeastern United States with the warm | | | | algae, but according to ARMA, (American Roofing |
| temperatures and high humidity, there is a growing | | | | Manufactures Association) a chlorine solution applied |
| problem with algae on roofs and particularly asphalt | | | | lightly, (meaning no pressure washing) and properly |
| fiberglass shingled roofs. | | | | rinsed is the recommended and proper way. The |
| This algae is known as Gloeocapsa Magma which is | | | | other most commonly used methods are pressure |
| identified by the brownish black stains. Usually it is | | | | washing and using Sodium Hydroxide. Pressure |
| noticed on the north side of the house first (where | | | | washing can easily remove the granules from the |
| there is the least sun and the most moisture) and | | | | shingles as well as actually cut into the shingle. Sodium |
| then spreads to other areas over time. In such a | | | | Hydroxde is a caustic degreaser often found in dish |
| warm and moist climate, the only thing the algae | | | | washing detergent and oven cleaner. Applied to an |
| needs is a food source to grow and spread. One | | | | asphalt shingle, it can dilute the asphalt pigment |
| food source is readily available in the form of | | | | resulting in loose granules and thin spots or holes in |
| limestone. Limestone is used as filler in the shingles. | | | | the shingles. I would not recommend Sodium |
| With the ever increasing cost of petroleum used to | | | | Hydroxide. |
| manufacture asphalt shingles, companies needed to | | | | Removing Goleocapsa Magma from your log home is |
| find a more economic way to produce the shingle so | | | | a good idea, but only if it is done properly. The |
| they introduced fiberglass. This reduced the asphalt, | | | | homeowner should have a reputable log home |
| and made the shingle much stronger, but it also made | | | | restoration contractor inspect the roof to determine |
| the shingle much lighter in weight. Therefore shingle | | | | if it is this particular algae and if the shingles are in |
| manufactures started adding a relatively cheap | | | | good enough condition to be cleaned. Older shingles |
| crushed limestone mixture to the asphalt shingle | | | | may actually need to be replaced. A reputable |
| mainly as a filler. However, this created an entirely | | | | contractor should tell you if that is the case. Be |
| new problem. A food source for Gloeocapsa Magma. | | | | careful who you call. It is very easy to have |
| So, is this algae a problem or just an eyesore? In the | | | | someone with their own interest in making a dollar tell |
| early stages, Goleocapsa Magma is more of an | | | | you what they want you to know so to benefit |
| eyesore, but as it grows, it can become a significant | | | | themselves more than to benefit you. |
| problem. | | | | Log home restoration is really not complete if you |
| Gloeocapsa Magma in some cases left untreated can | | | | are standing back admiring the beautiful new finish of |
| become a health issue to some people with chronic | | | | your home and all you can see is ugly black streaks |
| breathing and allergy problems. | | | | and stains all over the roof. So, restoring more than |
| It also inhibits the shingle's ability to reflect the UV | | | | just the logs may be a good idea! |