The problem
Those black streaks running down Florida roofs are a living thing. It is an algae called Gloeocapsa magma, it is most widespread on the Gulf Coast, and it spreads from roof to roof on the wind. It feeds in the shade and the humidity, which is to say, here.
The roofing industry's own guidance is a cleaning solution at low pressure, never a pressure washer. That is how we clean every roof: the solution kills the algae, it rinses away gently, and nothing is blasted off the surface that should stay on it.
What we clean
- Concrete and clay tile roofs
- Asphalt shingle roofs
- Metal roofs
- Flat and low slope sections over lanais and garages
- A rinse of the walls, windows and plants below when we are done
Signs it is time
- Black streaks on the shady side of the roof
- Green or dark patches in tile valleys
- A roof that looks older than it is
- An HOA letter or inspection note about roof condition
How we do it
Protect the ground. Plants, turf and pool areas below the roof line are soaked with water first and rinsed again after.
Low pressure application. The cleaning solution goes on at low pressure and is given time to work on the algae.
Gentle rinse. The roof is rinsed at low pressure and the walls, windows and landscaping below are rinsed down.
How we protect your property
A pressure washer on a roof strips the granules off shingles and can crack tile. We never do it. Low pressure and the right solution clean the roof, and the ground around the house is protected before anything goes on the roof.
The Southwest Florida part
After Ian, Helene and Milton, a lot of Lee County homes are under new roofs, and metal has become a common choice. New roofs get the same low pressure care as old ones.
What we will tell you
Roof algae comes back over time, especially in the shade. A cleaning is a reset, not a permanent fix, and we will not sell it as one.