Is There Limestone Filler In Roof Shingles

Unfortunately the limestone filler in most roofing shingles provides nutrients to the algae spores.

Is there limestone filler in roof shingles.

Though often attributed to an accumulation of dirt defective shingles mold or mildew the most common culprit is actually a blue green algae known as gloeocapsa magma that is spread by airborne spores. The third ingredient nutrients is gained when the spores begin to eat the limestone filler in your roof s shingles. There s more algae on roofs today because manufacturers use crushed limestone within the shingle as a filler so they don t have to use as much asphalt. Roof algae is a living thing and it s feeding off of your shingles actually it s feeding off of a limestone filler commonly used in shingle production.

The inorganic materials found in your roof will allow the algae to survive spread and darken. Algae feed on the limestone filler used to give the shingles weight. If it s not taken care of it will take years off of the life of your roofing. As a result of this loss of shingle mass the roof loses the ability to reflect heat rays.

Feeding on the inorganic materials of your roof s materials they ll continue to spread and darken until you get rid of them. If you live in a humid area of the country you ve probably seen unsightly dark streaks on asphalt shingle roofs. This then creates another issue. As a filler limestone is very cheap plentiful and works rather well.

Its used as a filler in order to keep the shingle flexible and also to help the fiberglass matting absorb the asphalt. Most cases of roof algae or fungus start with a single spore finding its way to your home. All companies use limestone they have too. The good news is that algae likely won t cause much damage to your shingles and there are solutions to both treat and prevent the problem.

Since asphalt is an expensive petroleum based product they try to minimize it by using more crushed limestone. Here s the deal with limestone. The sun and the humidity on your roof give it the first two. Well many shingles contain a powdered limestone filler that acts as a food source for algae causing it to survive relatively easily on the top of your roof.