Gloeocapsa magma is the algae behind the dark streaks running down almost every asphalt roof in Ohio. It feeds on the limestone filler in the shingle, holds moisture against the mat, and reflects less sunlight, which means a hotter attic. Moss is the next stage, and moss roots lift shingle edges until water finds its way underneath.
Pressure washing a roof solves the look for a season and costs you years of roof life, because the granules that protect the asphalt end up in your gutters. Our method is the one the shingle manufacturers endorse: a low pressure application of sodium hypochlorite and detergent that kills the algae outright, then a gentle rinse.
Heavy moss gets brushed with a broom and blown off while we are up there. The rest turns white, dries, and releases on its own over the following one to six months depending how deep it was rooted. That slow fade is normal and it is a sign the treatment worked.
One more thing worth knowing: gutter cleaning is already built into our roof process. Whatever we loosen up on the roof has to come out of the troughs, so we clean and flush them as part of the same visit rather than leaving you with a clean roof and packed gutters.
Our process
- Soft wash cleaning of asphalt shingle, cedar shake and metal roofing.
- Interior gutters cleaned and flushed as part of the roof job, heavy debris removed.
- Downspouts bagged where runoff into beds or a pool is a concern.
- Plant life tarped and rinsed, roof debris hauled away.
- Black streaks gone on the day; remaining moss falls off over one to six months.
Why wash instead of replace
A roof wash runs a small fraction of a tear off, and for most homes it buys back years of service life. Insurance adjusters and home inspectors both flag heavy algae and moss, so a clean roof also matters when you list the house.
If the shingles are already curling, brittle or losing granules by the handful, we will tell you that a wash is lipstick and you need a roofer. We would rather pass on a job than take money for something that will not help.
Roof Cleaning questions
Will roof cleaning void my shingle warranty?
No. Low pressure soft washing is the method named in the industry guidance most asphalt manufacturers follow. Pressure washing is what voids warranties.
How long do the results last?
Typically three to five years in the Mahoning Valley, less on a roof shaded by mature trees. Keeping the gutters clear and trimming overhanging branches stretches it.
Do you walk on the roof?
As little as possible. Most of the work is done from ladders and extended reach equipment, which is safer for us and easier on your shingles.
Other services
Want a price on roof cleaning?
Free quotes across Canfield, Boardman, Poland, Youngstown and the rest of the Valley. Josh answers the phone.