Kill the black streaks.
Save the shingles.Zero pressure.
Those ugly black streaks on North Georgia roofs aren't dirt — they're living algae (Gloeocapsa magma) eating away at your shingles. Our manufacturer-approved soft wash kills it at the root without a single drop of high pressure.
Those streaks are costing you money.
Gloeocapsa magma feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles. Left alone, it shortens your roof's lifespan by years and reflects less sunlight — meaning higher attic temperatures and higher cooling bills. Cleaning it off isn't cosmetic; it's maintenance on the most expensive component of your home.
Inspect & protect
We check for loose shingles, failed flashing, and compromised areas before we start. Plants and landscaping beneath the roofline get pre-soaked so runoff doesn't touch them at application strength.
Apply soft-wash solution
Low-pressure application from ground or ladder. The chemistry does the killing — pressure never touches your shingles. This is the ARMA-approved method and the only one we use on roofs.
Dwell, then rinse or rain
Solution works for 20–30 minutes; algae dies and begins releasing from the shingle. Depending on conditions, we either gently rinse or let the next rain complete the job. Streaks fade visibly over 1–3 weeks.
Pressure washing a shingle roof voids your warranty.
The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) explicitly warns against pressure washing shingles. High pressure strips the granules that protect your roof, shortens its service life, and voids most manufacturer warranties. We never pressure-wash a roof. Ever.
What we use instead is the ARMA-endorsed soft wash: a low-pressure application of a cleaning solution that kills the algae at the biological level, followed by gentle rinsing or natural rainfall. Zero shingle damage. Permanent kill. A typical soft-wash treatment keeps a roof clean for 4–6 years before any noticeable regrowth, and we can add zinc-strip installation or a preventive maintenance visit to extend that further.
Priced by pitch and access.
Soft-wash roof treatment
Pitch, access, and algae severity affect final price. Every quote is written before work begins — no "found more streaks" surprise add-ons.
- Single-story, simple roofline (~1,800 sq ft): $400–$550
- Two-story, moderate pitch: $550–$750
- Complex roofline, high pitch, or heavy algae: $750–$1,200
- Commercial or large residential: quoted per property
- Gutter rinse included on all roof soft-wash jobs
Roof cleaning questions.
Will soft washing damage my shingles?
No. Soft washing is specifically the method the shingle industry (ARMA) recommends. What damages shingles is pressure washing — which we do not do on roofs, ever. The cleaning happens chemically, not mechanically.
How long before the black streaks go away?
Most streaks fade visibly within a few hours and are fully gone within 1–3 weeks as rain washes the dead algae off. Severe cases may take a full weather cycle. If anything remains after 30 days, we come back and hit it again — no invoice.
How long does the roof stay clean?
Typically 4–6 years before noticeable regrowth, depending on tree cover and shade. We can add a zinc-strip install or an annual preventive treatment to extend that if you want to keep it pristine.
Is the soft-wash solution safe for my plants and pets?
Yes, with proper procedure. We pre-soak landscaping, dilute runoff, and post-rinse. Pets should stay indoors during application and for about an hour afterward while surfaces dry.
Will this void my roof warranty?
No — soft washing is the method manufacturers endorse. Pressure washing would void most warranties, which is why we don't do it. If your warranty documentation asks for a method statement, we're happy to provide one.
Do you walk on the roof?
Only when absolutely necessary. Most soft-wash applications are done from the ground or ladder. Walking shingles — even gently — can crack them in hot weather. If we have to access the roof, we do it safely and sparingly.