RESIDENTIAL SERVICE
Roof Cleaning (Soft Wash Only) Jacksonville, FL
That black streaking on your shingles is usually Gloeocapsa magma — a blue-green algae that eats into the limestone filler in asphalt shingles over time. High-pressure roof cleaning strips granules and can void your shingle warranty outright.
If your roof has developed dark streaking that runs down from the ridge or in patches across north-facing slopes, that’s almost always Gloeocapsa magma, a type of algae that’s extremely common on asphalt shingle roofs throughout the Southeast. It doesn’t just sit on the surface — it actually feeds on the limestone filler used to manufacture asphalt shingles, which means left untreated, it can shorten the lifespan of the roofing material itself, not just make it look dirty. The critical thing to understand is that this is a soft-wash-only job. High-pressure equipment on a roof strips shingle granules, which exposes the asphalt underneath to UV damage and, in most cases, immediately voids the shingle manufacturer’s warranty. We only use low-pressure application with a cleaning solution designed specifically to kill roof algae without touching the shingle surface at all.
Signs You Need Roof Cleaning
- Black or dark gray streaking running down from the roof ridge
- Patches of discoloration concentrated on north-facing or shaded roof slopes
- Green or mossy growth in valleys or areas where debris collects
- Streaking that’s gotten visibly worse over the past year or two
- Neighboring homes with similar-age roofs showing the same streaking pattern
Our Process
1. Roof Inspection
Before starting, we look at the roof type (asphalt shingle or tile), pitch, and condition to confirm soft washing is the right approach and flag anything unusual, like already-loose shingles.
2. Low-Pressure Application
A cleaning solution designed to kill algae, moss, and lichen is applied at low pressure, allowing it to work into the growth rather than physically blasting the roof surface.
3. Dwell Time
The solution needs time to actually kill the organism at the root — this isn’t a rinse-and-done process, and rushing this step is how algae comes right back within a season.
4. Gentle Rinse
A final low-pressure rinse clears the dissolved growth and solution residue, leaving the shingle surface itself untouched and undamaged.
Why This Matters in Jacksonville’s Climate
Jacksonville’s combination of high humidity and heavy rainfall gives roof algae exactly the damp, shaded conditions it needs to spread, especially on roofs under oak canopy in neighborhoods like Riverside, Mandarin, and Ortega where tree cover keeps shingles from ever fully drying out. Because the algae actually feeds on the shingle material itself, letting it go unaddressed for years isn’t just a cosmetic issue — it can shorten how long your roof lasts before it needs replacement.
What’s Included
- Low-pressure soft wash application safe for asphalt shingle and tile roofs
- Cleaning solution that kills algae, moss, and lichen at the root
- Removal of visible streaking, moss, and organic buildup
- Care taken to protect landscaping and gutters during rinse-off
- Warranty-safe process — no high-pressure equipment used on the roof surface
What Affects Your Price
- Roof square footage and pitch (steeper roofs take more time and specialized safety equipment)
- Severity of algae or moss growth
- Roof type — asphalt shingle versus tile can affect technique and time
- Accessibility, including surrounding trees or structures that limit equipment setup
See our full pricing guide for how we calculate every estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is roof soft washing safe for my shingles?
Yes — that’s specifically why we use soft washing instead of pressure washing on roofs. High pressure strips granules; soft washing kills the algae without touching the shingle surface.
Will this void my roof warranty?
Soft washing is generally warranty-safe; high-pressure roof cleaning is what typically voids shingle manufacturer warranties. We’ll never run high pressure on a roof.
How often does a Jacksonville roof need cleaning?
Roofs under heavy oak canopy or with north-facing slopes that stay shaded tend to need cleaning every 2 to 3 years; sun-exposed roofs can often go longer.
Will the algae come back after cleaning?
Some regrowth over time is normal given Jacksonville’s climate, but a proper soft wash that kills the algae at the root significantly slows down how fast it returns compared to just rinsing the surface.
Do you clean tile roofs the same way as shingle roofs?
The same soft-wash principle applies, though technique and dwell time are adjusted for tile versus asphalt shingle material.
Is it safe to walk on my roof during cleaning?
We take roof safety seriously and use appropriate equipment and technique for the roof’s pitch and condition to avoid damage or safety issues during the job.
Ready for a Free Estimate?
Tell us what you need cleaned and where you’re located — most estimates are turned around the same day.