The black streaks that collect on your roof are an infestation of organic based life forms known as Gloeocapsa Magma. GM is a species of airborne cyanobacteria and its presence on your roof indicates the start of a 5 Stage Infestation! As the GM spore lands on your roof it starts a small colony which is a STAGE 1 INFESTATION also known as COLONIZATION. In STAGE 2 INFESTATION, known as MATTING, the colony spreads and you start to see higher concentrations of the black streaks usually on the north side of the roof where there is less light. In STAGE 3 INFESTATION, all four sides of the roof are infested! STAGE 4 INFESTATION is known as IMPACTING and your roof begins to deteriorate. STAGE 5 is the final stage, the stage of DESTRUCTION, where you will see lichen. Lichen is a combination of algae and fungus that is acidic and penetrates roof shingles.

So WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT and what does it mean for you as a homeowner or business owner? Not only does it have a highly visible impact on your property esthetically, but can also cause the following problems