Michael Swallow
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"What a great service! Very professional and work done well."
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Roof Washing
Roof Cleaning (Soft Wash)
Low pressure roof soft washing that removes the black streaks without touching the granules.
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Roof Washing, in action
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Roof Washing at Purified Wash
Roof Washing on Cleveland's west side
Those black streaks running down your roof are Gloeocapsa magma, a blue green algae that feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles. It is not dirt and it will not wash off in the rain. Left alone it holds moisture against the shingle and shortens the life of the roof.
The only method shingle manufacturers approve is low pressure soft washing. Pressure washing a roof strips the protective granules straight off the shingle, takes years off its life and voids most warranties outright. We never put pressure on a roof.
Roof cleaning, roof washing and soft wash roof cleaning all describe the same thing when it is done properly: no pressure on the shingle, a cleaning solution that kills the algae, moss and lichen, and a gentle rinse. It is the only roof cleaning method the shingle manufacturers sign off on.
How we do it
- 01
Protect
Downspouts diverted, landscaping soaked and covered, and the gutters checked before anything goes on the roof.
- 02
Apply
The soft wash solution is applied at low pressure and left to work. The streaks lift on their own, no scrubbing and no pressure.
- 03
Dwell and rinse
The solution kills the algae down to the root, then a gentle rinse carries it off the shingles and out the downspouts.
- 04
Clean up
Landscaping rinsed again, gutters flushed of anything that came down, and a walk around before we leave.
What the job includes
- Asphalt and architectural shingle
- Black algae streaking, moss and lichen
- Zero pressure on the shingle surface, ever
- Meets ARMA and shingle manufacturer guidelines
- Landscaping protected before and rinsed after
- Gutter cleaning bundles well with a roof wash
Where we do it
We provide roof washing in Rocky River, Westlake, Bay Village, Fairview Park, North Olmsted, Olmsted Falls, Lakewood, Cleveland, Berea, Strongsville, Avon, Avon Lake, North Ridgeville and the surrounding communities. If your town is not on the list, text (440) 865-8993 and ask. We travel for larger jobs.
Roof Cleaning by town
Wondering what it costs? Read How much does roof cleaning cost?
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Neighbors are saying
Jared & Taylor Fristik
Google review
"Great window cleaning service! Stephen was on time, provided great exterior window cleaning and fairly priced! We're very pleased with his work."
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Karen Drebo
Google review
"Stephen was polite and professional while he was at my home cleaning my exterior windows. I would recommend him highly and would use him again."
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FAQs
FAQs about roof washing
The questions we actually get asked about this service.
01Will washing my roof void the warranty?
Not the way we do it. Shingle manufacturers and ARMA specifically call for low pressure chemical cleaning and specifically warn against pressure washing. Pressure washing is what voids a warranty, because it strips the granules that protect the shingle from UV.
02Why is my roof streaked black on one side only?
Algae wants shade and moisture, so it takes the north facing slope first. If your streaks are heaviest on one side, that is almost always which way it faces and how much tree cover is over it.
03Do the streaks come off right away?
Most of them lift within minutes and the rest continue to fade over the following one to two weeks as the dead algae weathers off in the rain. If you look right after we leave you will see a dramatic change, and then it keeps improving.
04Is it safe for my gutters, plants and downspouts?
Yes, with the prep we do. Downspouts are diverted, beds are soaked before and rinsed after, and everything is flushed when we finish. Diluted solution in wet soil does not harm established landscaping.
05How long until the streaks come back?
Typically four to six years, depending on shade and tree cover. Homes surrounded by mature trees will see it sooner. There is no permanent fix, because spores are airborne everywhere in Northeast Ohio.
06Do you walk on the roof?
As little as possible. Most roofs here are washed from a ladder or from the ground with the right equipment. Walking a roof breaks granules loose and damages shingles, so we stay off unless the pitch and layout genuinely require it.
Ready for roof washing?
Free in-person quote, often done the same visit, and the No Spots Promise on every job.
No deposit Free in-person quote Pay after you have checked the work
Rather talk? (440) 865-8993