My Roof Is Spotted And Stained – What Can I do?

It’s been bothering me for a few weeks now, without it really bothering me. Do you know what I mean? Like the thought that was just out of reach, but I knew it was there. Then, out of the blue, I realized what it is, because it only bugs me when I’m coming and going at home: the roof on my house is spotted and stained. And it seems to be slowly getting worse. It’s less than 10 years old, yet there are pale white spots and black streaks, there’s green in two of the roof’s valleys, and I’d swear there’s some red stains – in addition to the rust around the attic vent and two of the plumbing outlets.

How can that be and – more importantly – what can I do about it? Soft Washing may be the answer.

Roof Stains Are Often Caused By Organic Material

Strange as it may sound, the stains and spots that seem to appear like magic on our roofs are very often organic in nature. You might be like me and expect that the intense Summer sun combined with the extreme Winter cold would be enough to prevent organic matter from taking hold, but that is not the case. Even here in Monmouth County, New Jersey.

Algae

A common cause of roof staining is algae, in particular, a specific type that feeds on limestone fillers in asphalt shingles, called Gloeocapsa Magma. Once most common in the Southeastern United States, it has since migrated and is now found throughout most of the 48 contiguous states.

Moss, Mold, And Mildew

These unwelcome guests often appear as green or black patches on the roof, especially in damp, shaded areas. While not especially dangerous to the structure itself, these are very unsightly and can seriously reduce your property’s curb appeal.

Leaves, Twigs, And Environmental Debris

Leaves, twigs, and environmental debris are not necessarily problems in and of themselves, but they can create an environment that causes all those other bad actors – Algae, Moss, Mold, and Mildew – to spring up and take hold, slowly becoming problems in their own right.

Rust Stains, Sun/UV Damage, And Defective Materials

You could categorize these elements as related to “wear and tear” on the roof. While they are not organic in nature, stains and discolorations caused by rust, sunlight, and faulty materials should be dealt with before they become bigger problems on their own. And most often they can be mitigated during the cleaning process right along with the organic-sourced problems.

Soft Washing May Be Your Answer

Whether the problem arises from organic growth or from environmental causes, Soft Washing has become the popular answer for many of your neighbors. You should consider it for your own situation.

What Is Soft Washing?

Soft washing is a cleaning process that combines low pressure water jets and specialized cleaning solutions to achieve thorough cleaning without damaging the underlying materials or the structure itself. This makes soft washing a very popular cleaning alternative, as it is ideal for a wide variety of roofing and siding materials.

How Does Soft Washing Work?

This method uses a low-pressure sprayer, or “low setting” on a powerful pressure washer, to begin the process. First, the surface is wet by the sprayer before application of the appropriate cleaning agents. Then the agents are allowed to set on the surface to begin killing the organic growth.

A thorough rinse is called for after the cleansing solution has had a chance to work. This gently removes both the detritus and cleaning solutions from your roof. The final step may be a post-cleaning treatment to prevent or subdue the return of the attacking organics!

What Are The Benefits Of Soft Washing?

Well, first and foremost is the finished look of your property! Most homeowners have no idea of the dramatic transformation that simply soft washing the roof can achieve until they see it with their own eyes.

Beyond the obvious pride and satisfaction in the finished product, soft washing also delivers:

• Gentle cleansing of the structure without damage to underlying materials.
• Stain removal and mitigation of even the most difficult.
• Sanitizing agents to kill bacteria and foster a longer-lasting clean.
• Environmentally friendly methodology safe for people and pets

Can I DIY It?

That’s a good question. To answer it, let’s consider the situation in terms of the knowledge, the level of effort, and the equipment that are required to take on this job. (The equipment question is where things might begin to get a little bit complicated.)

Knowledge And Skillset

The information and knowledge needed to effectively perform a soft washing job can be mostly acquired by talking to your local equipment rental shop and doing some online investigation. Of course, insider techniques and tricks of the trade will likely not be found, but the basics are readily available.

Level Of Effort

Performing the soft wash can be a bit tricky and demanding – or it can be simple and straightforward, depending on your specific setting and architecture. Either way, though, the job is physically demanding and lengthy, requiring a good level of physical development and stamina.

The sheer size – in terms of square-footage – of the roof can be mighty intimidating. Roofs are far larger up top than they appear to be from the ground.

Equipment Requirements

Soft washing equipment centers around a pressure washer with the appropriate range of power settings and nozzles to tackle the job. A variety of hoses and extensions can also be integral to performing the task.

The height of your building is another critical variable, possibly requiring extensive safety and support equipment. For me, the safety consideration can be enough to motivate me to contract out this job.

Finding A Provider

If, like me, you are likely to leave the hard labor at high height to your local professional, there are many providers to choose from. The approach I’ve used over the years for finding and selecting a provider may work for you, too.

I contact at least three providers of the service I am investigating to get proposals for the job. Consider their confidence and professionalism, evaluate their equipment and their website, and secure at least three recent customer names and numbers for referrals – then, make the calls – references are king! Price is, of course, important. But capability and experience is what will result in a successful job for you.

When you decide the time is right to proceed with your project, be sure to contact AllCleanExteriors at (732) 570-4923 or see us online at www.allcleanexteriorsnj.com.