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Service takes cleaning
to new heights.
By Frank Konkel
• Daily Press & Argus
A Livingston County
businessman has a service that removes
unsightly, unhealthy and
potentially expensive
algae from roofs.
Robert
Geroux, a licensed
builder and founder of
RWG Construction Co.,
Inc., created a
division in his
Howell-based company
called Ugly Shingles,
LLC.
that focuses on removing
a limestone-eating algae
called:
Gloeocapsa Magma.
The algae, a
cyanobacteria typically
close to black in color,
is
prevalent on many
southern Michigan homes
and feeds on the
limestone used to weigh
down fiberglass
shingles.
If left unchecked, Geroux
said, the algae can
gradually eat through
shingles and force a
homeowner to replace his
or her roof
prematurely.
“The algae is getting to
be quite an epidemic,”
Geroux said. The
cyanobacteria is spread
through bacterial
spores, sometimes
through the air, and
often transmitted
directly by birds and
other
animals.
“There aren’t many
people out there
properly treating it, but we look
to
provide a cost-effective
service that can save
homeowners
thousands of dollars ...
and their roofs.”
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When people are trying
to
save money,
Geroux
 said replacing
roofs only becomes a
high priority in the
case of extreme damage.
Geroux said properly
treating these
roofs can help
them to
last longer, and
ultimately save
customers a few bucks in
the process.
Geroux’s
business
uses a certified
non-pressure process,
without the use of a
pressure washer, which
he said washes away
granules.
"Washing
away granules is
basically washing away
your warranty,” Geroux
said.
Ugly Shingles, LLC.
serves
homeowners all over
Michigan, including Ohio
& Indiana. For more
information, call (888)
742-5794 or visit
www.uglyshingles.com
Contact Daily Press &
Argus reporter Frank
Konkel at
(517) 552-2835 or at
fkonkel@gannett. com.
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Are you sure that your
Insurance
Company will pay for a Damaged or
Leaky Roof?
A
damaged
or
leaky
roof
on
your
home
is
disruptive
and
can
make
your
home
vulnerable
and
uninhabitable
if
not
quickly
repaired.
You
can
increase
your
odds
for
receiving
a
proper
insurance
settlement
for
your
damaged
roof
just
by
following
a
few
easy
guidelines.
Inspect
your
roof
regularly
for
minor
damages
(nests,
curling,
cracked
shingles)
and
growths
such
as
Gloeocapsa
magma
(form
of
mold).
Either
one
of
these
items
can
result
in a
negative
decision
of
your
adjuster
if
not
properly
taken
care
of.
Just
by
removing
the
debris
such
as
sticks
and
leaves
can
help.
According
to
local
agencies,
67%
of
roof
related
claims
are
denied
due
to
poor
maintenance.
Some
types
of
losses
are
not
covered
in a
regular
homeowner
policy,
so
be
sure
to
familiarize
yourself
with
your
policy
language.
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Can your house make you sick?
According to Dr. Victor H
Morgenroth, who is a
semi-retired adjunct professor
at UM;
the " dirt " on roofs could
actually be causing illness.
Here is an excerpt from an
article that was written by Dr.
Morgenroth.
Having your roof cleaned
actually makes sense.
It isn't just aesthetics. While
people like to say that dirty
roofs lower a property's value
and may make it hard to sell,
the "dirt" on a roof actually
shortens its life span and can
even present a health hazard.
Furthermore, the "dark stains"
on a roof act as a sponge to
absorb the sun's heat, which
causes a rise in the temperature
inside a home or building,
creating higher air conditioning
bills.
The dirt isn't just dust – It's
alive. Some of the black or very
dark roof stains are caused by a
resilient type of algae,
Gloeocapsa magma (a type of
blue-green algae commonly found
in climates with warm, humid
summers). The algae grow in
standing water, as well as in
our lakes and ponds. The algal
spores are carried to our roofs
from the water sources by the
wind and birds, and then from
roof to roof where it grows and
feeds on the limestone filler in
asphalt shingles and the real
dirt on tile roofs maybe in some
cases the tiles themselves.
Worse still, as the algae grow,
they retain water and foster the
growth of other roof
inhabitants.
The black stains are also very
likely to harbor a number of
molds or fungi. Unlike algae the
fungi on our roofs lacks
chlorophyll. They are unable to
manufacture food from raw
materials. So, it must get
nutrition from some form of
organic matter. To thrive, these
heterotrophs, who used to be
called saprophytes, also require
a warm, humid environment.
Fungi normally begin their life
cycle as an airborne spore that
settles on roofs, especially the
asphalt-shingle ones. The spores
on the northern exposure of the
roof stand a better chance of
survival because that portion of
the roof is the last part to dry
after a rain or morning dew.
This raises the humidity on the
surface of the shingle, thus
creating a perfect feeding and
breeding ground.
The tar used in roofing is
fossilized, dead organic matter
-- and an important food source
for fungi. Asphalt, at the
granule base, is normally
consumed first. Once these
granules dislodge, accelerated
deterioration will occur.
Ceramic granules represent the
outer hard shell that protects
against hail and other falling
debris. Ceramic granules protect
against damaging UV radiation
and insulate the roof against
extreme heat. So you can
understand that their
dislodgement by the growing
fungal colonies can be
detrimental to our roofs'
longevity. Surprisingly, the
blue-green algae are also food
for the fungi.
While not all mold (fungi) and
algae pose a health danger, some
are harmful, especially for us
older folks, younger children
and people who suffer from
asthma and respiratory problems.
Their spores, which are on your
roof, can get inside your home
because they end up on the
driveway and walkways from rain,
and are easily tracked inside.
They can even be drawn into our
air conditioning systems and
eventually populate our ducts.
Different mold species can have
varying health effects, but it
is important to remember that
any excessive mold growth needs
to be taken care of, regardless
of the species. Any excessive
mold growth can lead to
increased allergies, toxicity,
and house/building structural
problems.
If your home is experiencing any
of the above symptoms, call us
today for a free no obligation
estimate for your roof cleaning
needs.
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