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ROOFING INSPECTION & REPAIR CERTIFICATIONS for ROOFING CONTRACTORS Questions and Answers about GAF Master Elite Anecdote of a "Bad" Roofing Contractor The GAF Master EliteTM roofing program How to Get the Best Roofing Job CHOOSING A ROOFING CONTRACTOR STEP 1: FINDING A ROOFER STEP 2: CHOOSING A ROOFING CONTRACTOR STEP 3: CHOOSING ROOF MATERIAL STEP 4: NEGOTIATE ROOFING CONTRACT STEP 5: LETTING THE ROOFER ROOF ASBESTOS CEMENT ROOFING Asphalt-asbestos Roofing Materials Cement-asbestos roof shingles Environmental Issues - Asbestos Shingles Wear Signs on Cement Asbestos Shingles Maintenance Tips for Asbestos Cement Shingles Replacements for Asbestos Cement Shingles Corrugated Cement-Asbestos Roofing Asphalt-asbestos Paints & sealants OSHA Regulation Asbestos Roofing ASBESTOS REGULATION Update ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES ASPHALT SHINGLE DEFINITIONS ASPHALT SHINGLE FAILURE TYPES ALGAE STAINS ON ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES ALGAE STAIN TEST METHODS ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS on SHINGLES BLACK STAIN REMOVAL & PREVENTION BLISTERS on ASPHALT SHINGLES CRACKS in FIBERGLASS SHINGLES CUPPING ASPHALT SHINGLES CURLING ASPHALT SHINGLES FISHMOUTHING ASPHALT SHINGLES GRANULE LOSS from SHINGLES HAIL DAMAGED SHINGLES LADDERING & STAIR STEPPING SHINGLES LIFE / WEAR FACTORS in SHINGLES MECHANICAL DAMAGE of SHINGLES MOSS & LICHENS on SHINGLES ORGANIC FELT SHINGLE DEFECTS SPLICE DEFECTS on ASPHALT SHINGLES STAINS on ROOF SHINGLES ATTIC CONDENSATION CAUSE & CURE BUILT UP ROOFS CERTIFICATIONS for ROOFING CONTRACTORS CHIMNEY INSPECTION & REPAIRS CHOOSING A ROOFING CONTRACTOR CLAY TILE ROOFING FIRE RETARDANT PLYWOOD LOW SLOPE ROOFING MATERIALS MEMBRANE ROOFS METAL ROOFING TYPES MODIFIED BITUMEN ROOFING ROOF INSPECTION SAFETY & LIMITS ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS ROOF VENTING ENERGY SAVING DETAILS SLATE ROOF INSPECTION & REPAIR SLATE ROOF DURABILITY SLATE ROOF REPAIRS SLATE ROOF SOURCES SLATE ROOF TYPES SLATE ROOF PHOTO LIBRARY SLATE ROOF INSPECTIONS SLATE ROOF INSPECTION CLASS SOD ROOFING SIDING WOOD STAIN DIAGNOSIS on Building Exteriors STAIN DIAGNOSIS on Indoor Surfaces STAIN DIAGNOSIS on Roofs Causes of Roof Stains Catalog of All Roof Stains Catalog of Black Roof Stains Black Algae Bleed-Through Chimney-Caused Roof Stains Debris Staining on Roofs Lichens on Roofs Moss on Roofs Rust Stains on Shingles Soot Staining on Roofs STANDARDS for ROOFING STONE ROOFING THATCH ROOFING WARRANTIES for ROOF SHINGLES CLASS ACTION SHINGLE LAWSUITS REPORTING SHINGLE FAILURES ROOF FAILURE REPORT FORM WOOD SHAKE & SHINGLE ROOFING WORKMANSHIP & WIND DAMAGE More Information InspectAPedia Blog - News Updates Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps Bookstore Electrical Environment Exteriors Heating Home Inspection Insulate Ventilate Interiors Mold Inspect/Test Plumbing Water Septic Roofing Structure Accuracy & Privacy Policies Contact Us |
Here we discuss methods used to test for and confirm black roof stains due to algae or "black fungal growth" on roof shingles. We provide a list of type of stains and colors that appear on roof shingles and on other roofing materials. Also see Black Algae for more photos of black algae stains on roofs. And see ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS on SHINGLES and see STAINS on ROOF SHINGLES. To remove and prevent black algae stains on roofs, see BLACK STAIN REMOVAL & PREVENTION. This website tells readers how to identify & explain the most-common asphalt roof shingle failures and how to obtain asphalt roofing shingle failure claims assistance. These defects occur on organic-mat or fiberglass-mat asphalt roof shingles. Readers are also invited contribute roof failure information to the web author for research purposes. web author for research purposes. © Copyright 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use the links at page left to navigate this document or to go to Other Website Topics. Green links show where you are in our document & website. Free Testing Offered to Identify Roof Stain MaterialSee Bleed-Through for more on extractive bleeding; some roofing consultants, including Mr. Norman (above) assert that all of the black stains on asphalt shingle roofs are due to algae growth. To test black roof debris for a determination of whether the black stains are due to soot, algae, fungus, or asphalt bleed-through our forensic lab will accept tape samples for processing at no fee between April 2009 and June 2009. Use the tape sampling procedure and mailing instructions found at MOLD TEST KITS for DIY MOLD TESTS to send us samples for testing. (No more than two samples per roof, please.) Include a note referring to this article or just a printout of the first page of this web article along with your sample so that we won't be looking for a payment. Be sure to press your tape firmly into the black stain material. Testing Black Roof Stain Material in the Forensic LabIn our forensic laboratory (not on a roof itself) we prepare a microscope slide of black roof debris particles for direct examination at low and high magnification. Algae is identifyable by physical characteristics. If the black material does not appear to be an organic structure we use a solvent on the microscope slide. Xylene or Hexane will cause asphalt products to bleed and stream on a microscope slide.
Our photos above show black stains on a roof and an initial lab photo of the black roof debris at 400x. Sample material from the stained area on this roof was prepared on a microscope slice and mounted in lactic acid. Lactic acid does not dissolve asphalt but that will hydrate and expand algae and mold spores. The debris in our photo (above left) looks like brownish black something that is not organic. But take a look at the photographs just below.
Here is what that same sample looks like under the microscope at 1000x, oil immersion, after allowing five minutes for hydration (expansion of the cells of material.) We see a dark algae on the left and green algae on the right, both found in the same sample material. The black stains on the roof above are definitely algae, not bituminous material. Testing Black Roof Stains On the RoofMr. Norman proposes a simple test of applying a light spray of a diluted mixture of trisodium phosphate [use a TSP substitute, not TSP which is an environmental contaminant] and chlorine (with water) in the proper proportion will determine weather or not this is algae quite readily. If it is asphalt pigment, it will not lighten. If the residue is bitumen, a petroleum product would be necessary to remove it, but cleaning the roof with any solvent would of course be unwise as you will also damage the shingles as well as risk a fire, explosion, and environmental contamination. To remove and prevent black algae stains on roofs, see BLACK STAIN REMOVAL & PREVENTION. ... Technical Reviewers & References
Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website. ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES
List of All Types of Stains on Building Roofs, Surfaces, WallsIn the following guide we list types of stains by stain color & appearance, by building location or material, and by stain cause. We distinguish among the following stuff that may stain or be found growing building roofs, walls, or other surfaces, with extra focus on asphalt shingle roofs as well as other roofing materials such as wood shingles, wood shakes, roll roofing, and even slate or tile roofs. Some of these types of roof stains or discoloration are only cosmetic in nature, while others may indicate growths that are likely to reduce the roof covering life. A more detailed, illustrated version of the list below is given at Stain Diagnosis on Building Exteriors.
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