Log Home Restoration is generally thought of as repairing or improving the interior and exterior logs and other woodwork of a log home.
This can be as simple as cleaning the home and applying a fresh coat of stain or can be as complicated as performing major rot repair and log replacement.
However, another aspect of log home restoration that is often overlooked or thought to be beyond restoration is the roof.
Specifically asphalt shingled roofs.
Many log homes as well as conventional homes today with asphalt shingled roofs are streaked or completely covered with a brownish-black stain.
Many homeowners think these stains are signs of a worn out roof that must be replaced.
Oftentimes though, depending on the age of the roof, a good cleaning is all that is needed.
   In the southeastern United States with the warm temperatures and high humidity, there is a growing problem with algae on roofs and particularly asphalt/fiberglass shingled roofs.
  This algae is known as Gloeocapsa Magma which is identified by the brownish black stains.
Usually it is noticed on the north side of the house first (where there is the least sun and the most moisture) and then spreads to other areas over time.
In such a warm and moist climate, the only thing the algae needs is a food source to grow and spread.
One food source is readily available in the form of limestone.
Limestone is used as filler in the shingles.
  With the ever increasing cost of petroleum used to manufacture asphalt shingles, companies needed to find a more economic way to produce the shingle so they introduced fiberglass.
This reduced the asphalt, and made the shingle much stronger, but it also made the shingle much lighter in weight.
Therefore shingle manufactures started adding a relatively cheap crushed limestone mixture to the asphalt shingle mainly as a filler.
However, this created an entirely new problem.
A food source for Gloeocapsa Magma.
  So, is this algae a problem or just an eyesore? In the early stages, Goleocapsa Magma is more of an eyesore, but as it grows, it can become a significant problem.
  Gloeocapsa Magma in some cases left untreated can become a health issue to some people with chronic breathing and allergy problems.
It also inhibits the shingle's ability to reflect the UV rays of the sun.
This in turn causes excessive heat build up in the attic which not only causes higher cooling costs, but also increases premature deterioration of the shingles.
Another problem if let untreated, the algae buildup acts as a bed for leaves, dirt and pollen to collect creating a home for mold and mildew as well as having the ability to cause water to "dam" up under the shingles causing leaks.
So it can be both an eyesore and a significant problem.
  The best advice is to have it removed by a professional roof cleaning contractor when it becomes unsightly.
The longer it stays on the roof and the more it spreads, the more likely there will be problems and it will only cost more to remove it.
  There are a few different ways to remove the algae, but according to ARMA, (American Roofing Manufactures Association) a chlorine solution applied lightly, (meaning no pressure washing) and properly rinsed is the recommended and proper way.
The other most commonly used methods are pressure washing and using Sodium Hydroxide.
Pressure washing can easily remove the granules from the shingles as well as actually cut into the shingle.
Sodium Hydroxde is a caustic degreaser often found in dish washing detergent and oven cleaner.
Applied to an asphalt shingle, it can dilute the asphalt pigment resulting in loose granules and thin spots or holes in the shingles.
I would not recommend Sodium Hydroxide.
  Removing Goleocapsa Magma from your log home is a good idea, but only if it is done properly.
The homeowner should have a reputable log home restoration contractor inspect the roof to determine if it is this particular algae and if the shingles are in good enough condition to be cleaned.
Older shingles may actually need to be replaced.
A reputable contractor should tell you if that is the case.
Be careful who you call.
It is very easy to have someone with their own interest in making a dollar tell you what they want you to know so to benefit themselves more than to benefit you.
    Log home restoration is really not complete if you are standing back admiring the beautiful new finish of your home and all you can see is ugly black streaks and stains all over the roof.
So, restoring more than just the logs may be a good idea!