Algae streak removal
Dark streaks on shingles are treated and rinsed so the roof color comes back.
Exterior Services
Roof Cleaning Elmwood Park, NJ
A roofing contractor in Elmwood Park can clean shingle, tile and metal roofs with the right solution and gentle rinsing instead of a pressure washer, while protecting plants, siding and gutters below. Call (551) 367-0165 to reach a local roofer.
The black or dark green stains on most roofs are a hardy algae that spreads on the wind and grows on the shaded, damp parts of the roof. The algae builds a dark protective coating that absorbs sunlight, which is why the streaks look black and grow down the slope where water runs. While the streaks themselves rarely harm the roof, the lichen that follows can etch the surface and loosen granules.
How the roof is cleaned matters more than how clean it looks afterward. High-pressure spray tears granules off shingles and can break tile, so the safer method is a soft wash. Soft washing uses a cleaning mix and gentle rinsing to kill algae and lichen, and lets the roof dry naturally.
It helps to note what you see before the visit. Note whether the stains are black streaks, green patches, gray or crusty spots of lichen, or clumps of moss, and which slopes they cover. It also helps to know what is growing beneath the roof edges, since plants are protected during the wash.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, an Elmwood Park roofer may also recommend roof moss removal or gutter cleaning.
Need roof cleaning in Elmwood Park? Call (551) 367-0165 to talk to a local roofer.
Call nowThe process
The roof cleaning process
Here is how a roofer typically cleans a roof.
Inspect the roof
An inspection shows what is growing on the roof and whether any repairs should come first. A roof in poor shape may need repairs before cleaning.
Protect the yard
Landscaping below the eaves is soaked with fresh water so it does not absorb the cleaning solution. Siding and windows are rinsed to keep the solution from drying on them.
Apply the soft wash
The mix is sprayed gently over the stained areas and left to work on the algae and lichen. Shingles, tile and metal each get a solution suited to them.
Rinse gently
Debris on the roof and in the gutters is removed, and the roof is rinsed lightly. Lichen often releases over time after it dies.
Rinse the plants
The area below the eaves gets a final rinse to dilute any runoff. Any damage found during cleaning is pointed out.
What is included
Roof cleaning a roofer can handle
Lichen treatment
Lichen patches are sprayed and left to loosen then wash away over time.
Metal roof cleaning
Metal roofs are washed to remove grime and staining so the surface is not harmed.
Valley clearing
Leaves and needles are cleared from valleys and behind vents to stop water from backing up.
Zinc strips
Preventive strips are fitted below the ridge cap to keep the roof clean longer.
Related service
Roof Soft Wash Elmwood Park, NJ
Soft washing is the low-pressure method used on most roofs, relying on a cleaning solution rather than force. A common soft wash uses a diluted chlorine solution with a soap-like surfactant so it stays on the roof long enough to work. Because it kills the growth rather than scraping it off, the roof stays clean longer than with pressure washing.
In Elmwood Park, a soft wash is the safe choice for asphalt shingle roofs with algae streaks. The key is protecting what sits below the roof, since the solution can harm plants if it is not diluted or rinsed. Some streaks fade right away, while heavy lichen may take a few rains to wash off fully.
Related service
Roof Cleaning Service Elmwood Park, NJ
A roof cleaning service handles the full job, from protecting the yard to treating the roof and clearing gutters. Never climb onto a wet roof to clean it; leave the roof work to someone with fall protection. While cleaning, a roofer can flag loose shingles, cracked tiles and failing pipe boots.
In Elmwood Park, many homeowners pair roof cleaning with gutter cleaning, since the gutters fill with debris washing off the roof. After cleaning, metal strips near the peak can keep algae and moss from coming back as quickly. More sun and air on the roof means less growth.
Local help
Roof Cleaning Near Me
Roof cleaning calls in Elmwood Park come from homes with shaded roofs, older shingles and newer roofs that have started to streak alike. From Elmwood Park out to neighboring towns such as Garfield, Fair Lawn, Paterson and Lodi, older roofs often need lichen and moss treatment while newer ones usually just need streaks removed, so a gentle cleaning every few years keeps the roof looking right without wearing it down.
Searching for roof cleaning near me from Elmwood Park or Garfield, Fair Lawn, Paterson and Lodi? Call (551) 367-0165 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
How the weather here affects roofs around Elmwood Park
Winters here are long and cold, with snow on the roof for weeks at a time and plenty of nights below freezing. Heat escaping from the attic melts snow on the upper roof, and the water refreezes at the colder eaves, which is how ice dams form and back water up under the shingles. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. That is why roof repair in Elmwood Park is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why fix it now
Smaller repairs
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Familiar with local homes
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Elmwood Park and nearby towns.
Know what happens next
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Roof Cleaning questions
How are plants protected during roof cleaning?
Landscaping is watered down before, during and after the wash. Covering sensitive plants and diverting gutter runoff adds protection. Mention any prized plants before work starts.
When should I clean my roof again?
Many roofs go several years between cleanings. Roofs under trees or on shaded slopes may need it more often. Cutting back trees helps too.
Why does my roof have dark stains?
Those dark stains are almost always airborne algae, not dirt. It thrives in shade and moisture and spreads down the slope with rainwater. Algae-resistant shingles slow it down, but even those can streak over time.
Can I pressure wash my roof?
High-pressure washing damages most roofs. It strips the protective granules, can lift shingle tabs and forces water under the laps, which shortens the roof life. Ask for a soft wash instead.
Does roof cleaning make my roof last longer?
Removing lichen and moss helps the roof last, since both hold moisture and work under the shingle edges. A clean roof also lets a roofer spot damage that grime was hiding. Cleaning the wrong way, with high pressure, shortens roof life instead.
More questions? Call (551) 367-0165
Often needed together
Roof Moss Removal
Clearing thick moss off a roof and checking the shingles it lifted, so water drains the way the roof was built for.
Learn moreGutter Cleaning
Clearing clogged gutters and downspouts so rain drains away from the house, before overflow rots the fascia.
Learn moreRoof Maintenance
Routine roof care: clearing valleys, replacing worn pipe boots, sealing exposed nails and resetting lifted shingles, with each task done the right way for the material.
Learn moreCedar Shake Roof Repair
Replacing split, cupped or missing shakes, clearing moss and fixing valleys and ridge caps, so a sound cedar roof keeps shedding water.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesTalk to an Elmwood Park roofer about roof cleaning
Call now for Elmwood Park roof cleaning and help in the towns around it.