As if homeowners didn’t have enough on their minds, rooftop algae spurred by recent record rains is posing insurance problems.
Highly specialized equipment and training are required to do a proper job that adheres to state regulations.
Across Southern California, an unlikely menace is creeping across rooftops threatening not just curb appeal but homeowners’ financial security. It’s not termites or structural damage that’s causing sleepless nights, but something startling: algae.
This microscopic invader, thriving in the aftermath of recent record-breaking rains, has become the latest flashpoint in the ongoing battle between homeowners and their insurance providers.
Willem Downing, the Pasadena-based owner of Window Wizards, has found himself on the front lines of this peculiar conflict.
“This year there’s been so much extra growth because of how much it rained,” Downing explains. “It was one of the heaviest rain seasons in a long time for Southern California.”
The consequences of this verdant abundance extend far beyond aesthetics.
Insurance companies like Safeco and Liberty Mutual have begun wielding a new weapon in their arsenal of policy management: non-renewal notices citing algae growth as the culprit.
This seemingly innocuous issue has sparked a frenzy of activity in the roof cleaning industry, with Downing’s company experiencing an unprecedented surge in demand.
Downing reports that his company has cleaned about 200 roofs so far this year, a staggering increase from the 30 to 40 roofs they serviced in the entirety of the previous year.
What a difference a cleaning makes! Aerial view shows the impact of unclean algae on a Southern California rooftop (home at top).
This surge in demand has not only kept local businesses busy but has also highlighted the growing intersection between climate change, property maintenance, and insurance policies.
The process of addressing this issue is not as simple as one might assume.
Downing’s team employs a meticulous approach, combining steam cleaning with chemical treatments to ensure complete eradication of the algae.
“We steam clean the entire roof,” Downing explains, emphasizing the importance of technique to avoid water damage. “We use a combination of pressure and steam, which is a very intricate process to remove all organic growth while not allowing water to get underneath the tiles.”
The impact of algae growth extends beyond the immediate threat to insurance coverage. Downing warns that if left unchecked, algae can accelerate the degradation of roofing materials, particularly shingles.
“If that algae gets up underneath the tiles and onto the roofing paper or plywood underneath the tiles, it can start degrading them faster,” he cautions. This potential for long-term damage underscores the importance of regular maintenance, with Downing recommending cleaning every five to ten years.
Environmental concerns add another layer of complexity to the issue. Downing notes that improper cleaning methods can result in hefty fines.
“There are companies that will clean your roof and they’ll just let the algae and chemicals run down the street into the storm drains,” he says. “If either the city or the water district sees this happening, they can give the homeowner and the company a $10,000 fine.”
To address this, Window Wizards reclaims all water used in the cleaning process to prevent runoff into storm drains.
Window Wizards is also one of the few companies providing these services that carries Worker’s Comp. insurance, protecting the homeowner from a lawsuit if an employee gets hurt on their property.
As homeowners navigate this new landscape of property maintenance and insurance requirements, the importance of choosing reputable service providers becomes clear. Downing’s company, like others in the industry, has adapted to meet the stringent documentation requirements of insurance companies.
“We’ve taken care of over 150 homeowners just this year, and not a single one has told us they have not received their renewal,” Downing states. “We know exactly what the insurance company wants, like the angles that the photos need to be taken at, as well as how to detail our process in the invoice.”
Interestingly, Downing notes that algae growth is more noticeable on concrete tile roofs from satellite or drone images, making these roofs particularly susceptible to insurance scrutiny.
This visibility issue, combined with the potential for long-term damage, underscores the importance of regular maintenance for all roof types.
The rise of algae-related insurance issues serves as a stark reminder of the evolving challenges faced by homeowners in a changing climate. As Southern California grapples with increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, the ripple effects on property maintenance and insurance policies are likely to continue.
For now, homeowners find themselves in an unexpected battle against a microscopic foe, with their insurance coverage hanging in the balance.
To speak with Will Downing call (323) 640-5425 or email him at will@windowizardsla.com.
