Pro Roof Washers Frequently Asked Questions
Once the black stains have become noticeable, the stains will continue to worsen year to year. Most "experts" within the subject area believe the algae, if left untreated, will cause premature aging, rotting, and/or granule loss.
Algae, moss, lichen spores are in the air and take hold on a roof through wind and animals. The area that gets the least amount of sunlight is a hospitable environment for the algae to thrive and grow. The north side of your roof is most likely that environment and is most common. However, I have seen it grow on all sides, so we always treat all sides of the roof. Of course the sides with heavier stains gets the heavier treatment. Does it spread??? Yes! It spreads from house to house by wind and animals (birds, squirrels etc) If you look at your street you will see many houses in a row with the black stains, except for the homes with new or newer roofs. It usually takes approximately 7 years for a brand new roof to show signs of infection. It will start with a dot then eventually grow to a streak. If you have stains on the front of your house, most likely your neighbors across the street has them on the back of their house. Untreated, its only a matter of time till the entire roof has visible stains.
What is your cleaning process and what type of cleaner do you use?
There are basically 3 different types of chemicals that are used to clean your roof:
What will your cleaner do to my plants?
We go to great lengths to rinse down all plants and landscaping surrounding the house before, during, and after the application. The result is that what little overspray there is is completely diluted to the point of being harmless. You may even notice that your landscaping in these areas looks especially green and vibrant in the days following the cleaning due to all the watering!
What is your guarantee that the stains dont return?
Whole roof cleanings come with a two-year guarantee that your roof will remain algae-free, but you can generally expect it to stay clean and beautiful for at least four years or longer before the algae becomes noticeable again. Every situation is a little bit different, and it’s not unusual for a roof to stay clean for five years or more after a professional non-pressure cleaning.
Partial roof cleanings are not recommended and DO NOT come with a guarantee. It’s important to understand that roof algae is not visible to the naked eye in its early stages, so while you may not see it in some areas, it’s most likely already there and beginning to develop. The growth of algae is slowed in areas that receive maximum sunlight, but eventually it will become visible! That’s why it’s so important to treat the entire roof surface.
Do you offer any other services?
Yes. We also offer whole house washing, concrete cleaning, deck restoration, gutter cleaning on the insides of the gutters and gutter whitening on the outside using a commercial grade gutter restorer. (If you have ever tried cleaning the gutters to bring back the whiteness, then you know that its almost impossible with store bought or household cleaners.)
How much does it cost?
An average roof cleaning price is in the $300-$450 range. We provide, prompt, no-hassle estimates, so please call us or send a message through our contact form.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We prefer that our customers pay by cash or check, but if you’d like to pay by credit card that can be arranged. Checks should either be presented to us upon completion or left on your front door if you won’t be home. Thank you!