If your roof has dark streaks running down it, you are seeing one of the most common roof problems in south Louisiana, and it is not dirt, soot, or wear. Those streaks are a living algae called Gloeocapsa magma, and our humidity makes Baton Rouge close to a perfect climate for it. The good news is that it comes off cleanly. The bad news is that the wrong method does real damage.
What the streaks actually are
The black stains are colonies of algae that feed on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles. They take hold on the north and shaded sides first, where the roof stays damp longest, then spread. Left alone they hold moisture against the shingles, which over years shortens the life of the roof. They also just make a well kept house look neglected.
Why you never pressure wash a roof
This is the mistake that turns a cleaning into a reroof. High pressure strips the protective granules off asphalt shingles, and those granules are what shield the shingle from the sun. Once they are gone the shingle ages fast. Pressure on a roof also forces water under the shingles and voids many manufacturer warranties. Any company that wants to put a pressure wand on your roof is the wrong company.
How soft washing removes it the right way
Roofs are cleaned with soft washing, which uses low pressure, about the force of a garden hose, and a cleaning solution that kills the algae at the root. The solution does the work, not the pressure, so the shingles are never touched by force. Because it kills the organism instead of only rinsing the surface, a soft washed roof stays clean far longer than one that was blasted.
How often Baton Rouge roofs need it
Most roofs in the Baton Rouge area need a soft wash every two to four years, sooner for homes under heavy shade in places like Central, Zachary and Denham Springs. Catching it early is cheaper and faster, because a light early stage of algae rinses off quickly while years of growth takes longer and can leave faint shadowing.
Hydro Clean Maintenance Solutions soft washes roofs across Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, Prairieville, Gonzales, Zachary and Central with no high pressure, so your shingles and your warranty stay intact. Call (225) 681-3639 or request a free estimate and we will take a look.