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Dark staining on your roof is usually indicative of an algae problem. Algae thrives in damp and dark areas. Since dark staining looks very unappealing, homeowners are understandably concerned with eliminating those stains. There are a few ways to go about it. Switch to an algae-resistant roof material Algae staining is most common on asphalt shingles and wood shakes. Materials like metal, tile, and slate, aren’t going to allow algae to grow and stain your roof. You can speak with a Spokane roofing company about an alternate roof material that would work good for you. Unfortunately, these materials tend to be on the expensive side and since algae staining doesn’t affect your roof’s performance, many homeowners don’t want to replace their roof just to eliminate algae stains. Use bleach Mix one part bleach to four parts water and gently pour it across any affected areas of your roof. Bleach will kill any algae. Do not use a pressure washer to apply bleach mixture as the high pressure could actually damage your shingles. Also do not use more bleach than the one-to-four parts ratio or it can damage any landscaping that is beneath the edges of the roof after runoff. The problem with this method is that it won’t be a long term solution and algae stains can eventually return. Install copper or zinc strips Copper or zinc strips placed along the peaks of the roof above the affected area will introduce ions to the algae every time it rains. This will not only kill existing algae but prevent it from growing in the future. It’s a longer term solution but one not everyone will like because of the aesthetics of the metal strips. Eliminate shade If overhanging tree branches are causing sections of your roof to be shaded all hours of the day, simply cutting back those branches so sunlight hits those areas can prevent algae from growing there. Home improvement news brought to you by bartonroof.com Source: palmbeachpost.com/classifieds/real-estate/you-can-eliminate-stains-from-your-roof/d8Kg4vU3XkjDekNftNzSrN/