Roof cleaning
Roof algae and moss cleaning for Atlanta homes
Those dark streaks are a living algae colony, and moss holds water against the shingle. We soft-wash both and flush the gutters on the way down.
- Calls answered 24/7
- Soft wash, low pressure
- Atlanta service office
Quick answer
Roof algae on Atlanta homes comes off with a low-pressure soft wash, not a pressure washer, because high pressure strips the granules that shield asphalt shingles from sun. We apply a cleaning solution to the stained slopes, let it work, rinse gently, lift moss by hand, and flush the gutters so the debris leaves the roof with the runoff.
The work
What the black streaks actually are
The dark streaking on so many gray and black shingle roofs is a blue-green algae that feeds on the limestone filler in the shingle. It rarely causes a leak by itself. Moss and lichen are different: they root into the granule layer, hold water against the mat, and lift shingle edges as they grow.
Cleaning fixes the stain, not wear; any damage we spot is photographed and priced separately.
Updated September 2026
What is included
What a roof cleaning visit covers
- Landscaping protected. Beds under the drip line are wetted before and rinsed after.
- Slopes treated, not blasted. Low-pressure application on every stained slope.
- Moss removed by hand. Brushed off working downhill so edges stay flat.
- Valleys cleared. Pine straw pulled from valleys and behind chimneys.
- Gutters flushed. Troughs emptied and every downspout run tested.
- Condition noted. Lifted tabs or a cracked boot are photographed.
- Before and after photos. Taken from the same spots so the change is clear.
Soft-wash algae treatment
The streaks run downhill from the ridge and are darkest on shaded north and east slopes. We wet the landscaping, apply a diluted cleaning solution with a low-pressure pump, and give it time to kill the colony before a gentle rinse. Some staining fades over the next few rains rather than on the day, which is normal and worth knowing before you judge the result from the driveway. Pressure washing is the one method we refuse on asphalt, because it blasts off the granules the roof depends on.
Moss and lichen removal
Moss grows in thick green cushions where branches overhang and the roof rarely dries; lichen shows up as flat gray-green crusts that grip hard. After the treatment loosens them, we brush moss off by hand, working down the slope so we do not lift tabs. Lichen often needs a second treatment because it lets go slowly. If moss has already curled shingle edges, a few tabs may need replacing, and you see photos of exactly which ones before anything is added.
Gutter and downspout flush
Everything that comes off the roof lands in the gutters: loosened moss, dead algae and the pine straw already packed in the corners. We scoop the troughs, flush each downspout, and make sure water leaves at the ground instead of backing up at an elbow. A clogged gutter after a roof cleaning sends the runoff over the fascia, so this step is part of the job rather than an add-on. Loose hangers or a sagging run get pointed out with photos.
Why Atlanta roofs grow algae so quickly
Atlanta gets more than fifty inches of rain a year on top of hot, humid summers, and the city's heavy tree canopy keeps many roofs shaded and damp long after a storm passes. That is why algae and moss take hold here faster than on a sunny, exposed roof: debris collects in the valleys, the north slope never fully dries, and the growth feeds on the moisture.
How it runs
How a roof cleaning visit runs
- 1
Walk the roof first
Loose tabs and soft spots checked before any solution goes on.
- 2
Protect what is below
Beds, grass and patio furniture wetted or moved.
- 3
Treat the growth
Low-pressure application on each stained slope.
- 4
Let it work, then rinse
Dwell time does the work; the rinse stays gentle.
- 5
Clear moss and valleys
Loosened moss brushed off, valleys emptied.
- 6
Flush gutters, walk through
Downspouts tested and photos reviewed with you.
DIY or call
Cleaning the roof yourself or calling us
| Task | Doing it yourself | Having us do it |
|---|---|---|
| Getting on the roof | Ladder work on a wet, slick surface is the main injury risk. | Harnessed crew and anchors where the pitch needs them. |
| Choosing a method | Rented pressure washers damage asphalt shingles quickly. | Low-pressure soft wash matched to the growth. |
| Protecting plants | Runoff can burn beds if nothing is wetted first. | Landscaping pre-soaked and rinsed after. |
| Spotting damage | Hard to judge what you see while balancing. | Photos of anything needing repair, priced separately. |
A low ranch roof with light streaking is a fair weekend job with a garden sprayer. Steep, two-story or mossy roofs are ours.
Cost
What sets the price of a roof cleaning
We price roof cleaning after seeing the roof, because the same square footage can be an easy morning or a long day.
- Roof size and pitch
Steep slopes need harnesses and move slower.
- Stories
Two-story eaves add setup and safety time.
- How heavy the growth is
Thick moss takes a second pass and handwork.
- Tree cover
Overhanging limbs mean more debris to clear.
- Gutter condition
Packed gutters take longer to empty and flush.
- Access
Tight lots and fenced yards change the setup.
FAQ
Roof cleaning questions
Yes. High pressure strips the protective granules from asphalt shingles and shortens the roof's life.
Algae and moss grow where the roof stays shaded and damp longest, usually the north or east slope or under trees.
It depends on shade and moisture. Trimming overhanging limbs and keeping valleys clear slows regrowth.
We wet beds and grass before we start and rinse them after, which keeps the solution diluted.
Yes, with the method adjusted to the material. Metal and tile take different solutions and handling than asphalt.
Not necessarily. Cleaning removes growth, not wear. If we see lifted tabs, exposed nails or a cracked pipe boot, you get photos and a separate repair price.
Related
Other roof care that pairs with a cleaning
Streaked or mossy roof? Let us look at it
Describe the roof when you call and we will tell you whether it needs a cleaning, a repair, or both.