That black streaking on your roof isn’t just dirt — it’s algae breaking down your shingles from the outside in. We apply a chemical treatment that eliminates it at the cellular level, then soft rinse the roof clean without high-pressure damage.
Pressure washing a roof knocks off the surface growth but leaves the root system alive in the shingle. It comes back in months. Soft wash uses chemistry to eliminate the organism at the cellular level — so it’s actually gone, not just knocked back temporarily.
A manufacturer-approved treatment solution is applied directly to the roof surface. It penetrates and eliminates algae, moss, and lichen at the source — breaking down the organisms at the cellular level rather than just clearing the surface.
The solution is left on the roof surface for a controlled period so the chemistry can work fully before rinsing. Rushing this step is what separates a real treatment from a surface spray.
Once the treatment has had time to work, the roof is rinsed at low pressure — nothing like a pressure washer. High-pressure washing strips shingle granules and voids warranties. Soft rinse clears the dead growth without touching the shingle surface integrity.
Runoff from the rinse carries dead algae and debris into the gutters. We flush them out so you’re not left with a clogged system after the treatment.
Landscaping, siding, and surrounding surfaces are protected and rinsed before and after treatment. The chemistry is effective on roof growth and safe when handled correctly.
While we’re on the roof, we take a look at the overall condition — flashings, seals, and shingle wear. If we spot anything worth addressing, we let you know before it becomes a repair call.
Gloeocapsa Magma — the bacteria behind those black streaks — feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles. Left alone, it degrades the shingle material itself and reduces the reflectivity of your roof, driving up cooling costs.
Moss and lichen are worse. They anchor into the shingle surface and lift the edges as they grow, creating entry points for water. Once moisture gets under lifted shingles, you’re looking at decking damage.
Pressure washing a roof blasts off the visible surface growth but does nothing to the organism underneath. It also strips the granules from asphalt shingles — those granules are the shingle’s UV protection. Remove them and you accelerate aging.
Most shingle manufacturers explicitly void warranties when pressure washing is used. Soft wash uses chemistry, not force — it kills the growth without touching shingle integrity.
Pair it with a roof tune-up for a complete service visit — we treat the growth, reseal the flashings, and replace any cracked shingles in one trip. See the tune-up →
Call or text to get a quote. We come out, assess the roof, and give you a straight price before anything starts.