Roof Cleaning — Safe, Effective, Warranty-Friendly
Those dark streaks running down your shingles aren’t dirt — they’re a living organism consuming your roof. We eliminate it without stepping on a single shingle or risking your roof’s warranty.
Gloeocapsa Magma: The Cause of Black Streaks
The black streaks spreading across asphalt shingle roofs throughout southern Ohio are caused by a cyanobacterium called Gloeocapsa magma. It travels through the air, lands on roofing material, and feeds on the limestone filler embedded in asphalt shingles.
As the organism grows and spreads, it forms a dark protective pigment that creates the characteristic black streaking pattern. Left untreated, the colony expands year over year, consuming the shingle’s material and accelerating surface granule loss — the same granules that protect the asphalt layer from UV degradation.
The American Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) specifically recommends low-pressure soft washing with a cleaning solution as the correct removal method. High-pressure washing is not recommended and can void manufacturer warranties.
Dark biological staining causes shingles to absorb more heat, raising attic temperatures and increasing cooling costs.
Feeding organisms accelerate granule loss. Granules protect the asphalt from UV; losing them shortens the shingle’s serviceable life.
A streaked roof looks aged and neglected. Many buyers and insurers scrutinize roof condition — streaking can raise unnecessary questions.
We Never Walk Your Roof. Ever.
Walking on asphalt shingles damages the granule surface and creates slip hazards. Our process is entirely ground-based or ladder-accessible — we apply and rinse from the roofline without setting foot on the surface.
We wet down all landscaping, cover any HVAC equipment, and ensure gutters are clear for drainage before application begins.
Our proprietary cleaning solution is applied at very low pressure from the roofline. We saturate all affected areas and allow proper dwell time for the chemistry to work through the biological layer.
After dwell time, we rinse the roof thoroughly. Plants are re-watered to neutralize any solution that reached them. The result is a clean, streak-free roof surface.
High-pressure washing is explicitly listed by most shingle manufacturers as a warranty-voiding action. ARMA’s published guidelines recommend the low-pressure chemical wash method we use. If you’re concerned about warranty compliance, ask us for details — we’re happy to explain exactly what we apply and at what pressure.
What Soft Wash Roof Cleaning Delivers
Our process kills Gloeocapsa magma at the source. Streaks rinse away cleanly, revealing the original shingle color underneath.
Because we kill the organism rather than just surface-washing, results last considerably longer than a pressure wash. Most roofs stay clean 3–5 years.
Our method follows ARMA guidelines and won’t void your shingle manufacturer’s warranty — unlike high-pressure washing.
Removing the biological growth stops the accelerated granule loss it causes, helping your shingles reach their full designed lifespan.
Roof Cleaning FAQ
Get Those Black Streaks Off Your Roof
Safe, ARMA-compliant soft wash roof cleaning in Scioto County and southern Ohio. Free estimates available.