Glossary
Roof Cleaning
Definition
Roof cleaning is removing the black algae streaks and moss from a roof, done exclusively by soft washing because pressure strips the protective granules from shingles.
The black streaks are gloeocapsa magma algae feeding on shingle filler. The fix is a soft wash with sodium hypochlorite, usually 2–3% at the surface, left to dwell so it kills the colony at the root rather than just rinsing the top.
Roof work commands premium pricing because of the height, the safety setup, and the stronger chemistry. It also carries real risk to plants and gutters below, so plant protection and a careful rinse plan are part of every roof job.