Frequently
Asked
Questions

No, because we do not pressure wash roofs. Asphalt shingle roofs need low-pressure soft washing, which is the method both the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) and the Roof Cleaning Institute of America recommend. High pressure strips the ceramic granules that shield your shingles from UV, which shortens the life of the roof and can void your manufacturer warranty.

We apply a cleaning solution at under 100 PSI, give it time to work, then rinse gently. The chemistry does the work, not the pressure. If a contractor turns up to clean your roof with a surface cleaner and no chemical tank, send them away.

That is Gloeocapsa magma — a blue-green algae, technically a cyanobacterium. It is not mold and it is not dirt. It feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles, which is why it appears on shingles and not on metal roofs, and it is airborne, which is why streaking often runs down a whole street at once.

In north central West Virginia’s humid climate with heavy tree cover, north-facing slopes streak first because they stay damp the longest. The staining is mostly cosmetic, but it holds moisture against the shingle and accelerates aging, so it is worth removing.

Moss and lichen are different problems. Lichen roots into the granule surface and can leave a faint shadow even after a correct soft wash — we will tell you that before we start rather than after.

Yes, when it is done properly. Soft washing uses a diluted sodium hypochlorite solution with a surfactant that holds it on the surface long enough to work. We pre-wet the landscaping before we start, keep the solution off your plants, and rinse thoroughly afterwards. Once everything is rinsed and dry, it is safe for pets and children.

If you have anything you are particularly protective of — a koi pond, a vegetable garden, prize roses — point it out before we begin and we will cover it or work around it.