What are Lichens, and what can Royal Roof Cleaning do for me?

Lichen, (the light colored green circles) produce acids that dissolve the lyme stone on the roof shingle and left untreated will cause permanent damage!!!


Black circles spots is where the Lichen has eating the lyme stone down to the base of the shingle 

Does Algae, Fungus, and Lichen damage a roof?

Under side of Lichen with the lyme stone from shingle

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Lichen is a kind of primitive plant species that is basically strands of algae linked to roots and branches of a fungus that together absorb minerals from the ground and conduct photosynthesis. Lichens can grow almost anywhere, from moist bark to recently cooled lava to frozen rocks, and yes, your asphalt shingles. Lichens like to start off on near by trees, covered rocks and will inevitably make its way onto your roof, it's sole purpose at this point - destroying your roof!


Shingle manufacturers began adding Limestone to their shingles as a filler in the manufacturing process. Unfortunately, they did not understand that this is a type of algae; Lichens, primary food source is Limestone. Add warm weather and a little humidity and they have provided the perfect home for Lichens. This was such a miss-step by the manufacturers that they started trying to educate the public as to the damage that lichens will cause, and a new industry sprouted up, the Roof Cleaning Business.
We remediate and remove Lichens by killing them with our chemical solution which is applied using a low pressure spray, we do this with our custom Low Pressure Wash system.

​Lichen, Moss and Algea - What is the Royal Roof Treatment?

​Royal Roof

Clean​ing​


Eradication! You can find more information on each species below, but we attack the problem much the same way for all.
 

First - Unlike many companies, our first priority is to ensure that your roof is not damaged any further.

  • No Ladders
  • No walking on your roof
  • No harsh chemicals
  • No high pressure washers

 Second - We use state of the art equipment, tools and environmentally friendly, biodegradable cleaning solutions to protect your roof.

  • State of the art electric hybrid lifts
  • Custom Low Pressure Wash System
  • Custom application equipment

Third - Every roof is different, our highly trained technicians will evaluate your roof and cleaning needs to apply the appropriate remediation systems. 

Algae, fungus, and lichen on a roof is unsightly, and up until now, were believed to have no long term effects on an asphalt roofs. Recent studies have shown fungus, algae, and lichen will destroy an asphalt shingle roof. The asphalt in the shingle provides the nourishment for the fungus and lichen to flourish. The fungus and lichen can grow at a rapid rate, completely covering a roof slope in some cases. The fungus secretes enzymes into the asphalt which begin to digest the material at the base of the granule surface. The lichen has small roots that embed down underneath the granule surface to provide nourishment for the infestation. As the lichen blooms die, they pull away the granule surface which exposes small areas of asphalt. The open areas of asphalt are RESTRICTED to the area of lichen growth only. The algae requires an inorganic material to feed upon. Shingle manufacturers sometimes incorporate limestone (dolomite) into the manufacturing process, a specific food source for the algae.


Because moss or lichens growing on a roof surface will hold moisture on the roof longer than other areas, these growths can reduce the life of the roof covering. Particularly where the roofing materials are asphalt shingles or wood shingles, holding water on the roof surface by any means (leaves, debris, moss, or lichens) speeds up wear on these shingles. In freezing climates there may be faster frost damage, cracking, and wear of the shingles under the moss or lichens. Even in non-freezing climates, the roots or growth structures of moss or lichens eventually penetrate and separate the roof shingle materials, speeding their demise.