Is It Time to Clean Your Roof Shingles?
The Hidden Cause of Dark Roof Streaks If you live in a humid area surrounded by lakes and trees, you’ve probably noticed unsightly black streaks forming on your roof. These streaks are typically caused by algae—a microscopic plant that thrives in moist, shaded environments.
While algae alone won’t immediately destroy your roof, leaving it untreated creates the perfect breeding ground for moss and lichen. These larger, more stubborn organisms can root into your shingles, lifting them up, trapping moisture, and eventually leading to costly roof leaks.
Protecting Your Investment (and Keeping Your Insurance Happy) Cleaning your roof is a smart investment that extends the lifespan of your shingles and saves you money on premature repairs or replacements. Recently, here in Tallahassee, Florida, we’ve seen a significant rise in homeowners needing professional roof cleaning simply because their insurance companies are requiring the removal of dark algae stains to maintain coverage.
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The Solution: Mix a 50/50 blend of bleach and water.
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Application: Apply the solution using a standard garden sprayer.
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The Dwell Time: Let the mixture sit and work for about 20 minutes.
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The Rinse: Rinse thoroughly using only the low pressure from a standard garden hose.
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Protect Your Landscaping: To prevent plant damage from the runoff, thoroughly water your plants and grass with fresh water before, during, and after the process. Covering delicate bushes with plastic or tarps provides an extra layer of protection against overspray.
If climbing a ladder and dealing with runoff feels like too much of a challenge, hiring a professional roof cleaning company offers a convenient, safe, and reliable solution for your peace of mind.
Watch Us in Action! Curious about how the pros do it? Check out this short video of us soft washing a shingle roof right here in Tallahassee, Florida. Notice how we use less than 90 PSI to safely and effectively clear away the buildup without damaging the shingles!
