What causes dark streaks and moss on Green Bay roofs?
Those dark streaks are very often algae, which feeds on the limestone filler in some shingles and spreads along the roof wherever it stays damp. In this area, shaded slopes, roofs under trees and north-facing sides stay wet the longest, so streaks and moss usually start there. Moss and lichen show up as green or gray patches, often along the edges and in valleys.
Winter plays a part too. Snow sits on a roof for weeks, melts in daylight and refreezes at night. That moisture and the leaf litter left behind give growth a good start in spring. Streaks do not always mean damage, but moss can hold moisture against the shingle and lift edges, so it is worth dealing with once it takes hold. Some homeowners add zinc or copper strips near the ridge to slow regrowth, and a roofer can advise on that.

