Shown in the photo above from 2013, a band of moss-killing chemicals is applied along the peak and at the mid-point of the roof plane. Rain will spread the chemical over the roof and kill the moss.
In the December 3, 2023 email newsletter from JLC, they shared a timely article titled “Damage From Roof Moss” about the real problem that most homeowners overlook, which was originally published in 2013.
This past summer brought such unprecedented rainfall to New England that it felt more like we were living in the Pacific Northwest than the Northeast. Mother Nature finally decided to shut the faucet off as we moved into mid-autumn, this allowed our rivers and ground water levels to return to reasonable levels. The excessive onslaught of rainfall paired with a lack of sunlight created the perfect breeding ground for algae, lichen, and fungi last summer. While these types of bacteria are part of a healthy ecosystem it does not mean we want to see them on our houses.
A much larger percentage of homes are exhibiting green staining on siding and roofs than we are accustomed to seeing here in New England. While the inclination for many homeowners may be to simply ignore this discoloration, the reality is that is one of the worst things that can be done. Once these types of bacteria begin to form on a home’s outdoor surfaces action is required to remedy the situation, if no action is taken the problem will only get worse. In some cases, moss has taken hold on roofs.
The good news is if treated in the early stages of algae development there are ways to stop or slow the spread of these potentially destructive bacteria. The bad news comes when the problem gets ignored for too long, algae and moss can begin to form under the surface and even make their way into interior attic space where they can cause significant problems within a home, such as black mold.
Due to the aforementioned abnormal conditions, we experienced last summer, we expect to see a heightened need for roof repair in New England in Spring 2024 and beyond.
GAF Shingle Products Can Protect Against Future Problems
Now in 2023, GAF has two products that combat this problem with prevention rather than treatment after the fact.
GAF Timberline® HDZ Shingles have a 25-year StainGuard Plus Algae Protection Limited Warranty which can help save properties from dealing with these same problems in the future. Needless to say, once a homeowner goes through something like this once, they will likely not want to experience it again, and this product offers the protection they want.
Timberline® UHDZ™ Shingles — the premium laminate shingle from GAF. They feature the patent-pending Dual Shadow Line for dramatic sunset shadows all day long, offer the NEW 30-year StainGuard Plus PRO™ Limited Warranty against blue-green algae discoloration, and GAF Master Elite® contractors can offer 30 years of workmanship coverage when they install a qualifying GAF roofing system with Timberline® UHDZ™ shingles and register a Golden Pledge Limited Warranty.
New Features only on Timberline® UHDZ™
● 20% Heavier than Timberline HDZ®, putting Timberline® UHDZ™ right in specification for many big HOA opportunities.
● Patent-Pending Dual Shadow Line delivers sunset shadows all day long.
● 10% MORE Proprietary Time-Release Algae-Fighting Technology than Timberline HDZ® powers the NEW 30-Year StainGuard Plus PRO™ Algae Protection Limited Warranty.**
Excerpt from Good Housekeeping article online:
When it comes to providing shelter from the elements, there’s nothing more important than the roof over your head — and shingles are the first line of defense. GAF’s Timberline UHDZ asphalt shingles deliver top-level protection against Mother Nature’s harshest assaults — hard-driven rain, snow, sleet and hail, as well as the record-busting heat that has become increasingly common in many parts of the country. The premium shingles are also fortified with a time-release algae-fighting technology that will help extend their life in damp, humid climates.
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