If you see black or grayish streaks on your roofing, you're looking at a colony of Gloeocapsa Magma — a microscopic cyanobacteria that has made your roof its preferred habitat.
How it establishes itself
Gloeocapsa Magma spores travel by wind and birds. They land on your shingles and, in the right humidity conditions, begin to proliferate. The organism protects itself in a dark gelatinous sheath — hence the characteristic black color.
Why it's problematic
Gloeocapsa Magma feeds on calcium carbonate granules integrated in your shingles for UV protection. By consuming these granules, it deprives your shingles of their main sun protection, resulting in accelerated premature aging.
Why simple washing isn't enough
The Gloeocapsa Magma's protective sheath makes it resistant to simple water washing. High pressure displaces surface colonies without eliminating them — they return within months. Only sodium hypochlorite (SH) penetrates this protective sheath and destroys the organism chemically, for good.
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