Roof Soft Washing

Roof Soft Washing questions

The things Lafayette homeowners and business owners ask us most about this service.

What are the black streaks on my roof?

They're a living algae called Gloeocapsa magma that feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles. Our climate keeps it fed year round, which is why it always comes back on the shaded slopes first if it's only rinsed instead of treated.

Is soft washing safe for asphalt shingles?

It's the method shingle manufacturers and the roofing industry recommend. We apply the treatment at very low pressure so the algae is killed chemically. Pressure washing a roof knocks the protective granules loose and shortens its life, so we never do it.

Do I have to rinse or scrub the roof afterward?

No scrubbing. The staining continues to fade over the following days and weeks as rain and sun clear the dead growth. We rinse the gutter faces, fascia, walls, landscaping and driveway before we leave so nothing is left sitting on them.

Will my gutters and plants be affected?

They're protected as part of the job. Downspout areas and beds are pre-wet and rinsed, gutter faces get washed down, and we keep the solution off anything it doesn't belong on.