Surface Warriors Exterior Cleaning

The black streaks running down your roof are not dirt and they are not age stains. They are a living blue-green algae called Gloeocapsa magma that feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles. It spreads downhill with every rain, settles on the shaded north and west slopes first, and makes a sound roof look old and neglected from the street.

Roof washing removes it the right way: with low pressure and a roof-safe cleaning solution that kills the algae at the root, not just rinses the surface. This is soft washing, and for a roof it is the only correct method.

Why High Pressure Is the Wrong Tool for a Roof

A pressure washer will strip the protective granules off asphalt shingles, force water up under the tabs, and can void your shingle manufacturer’s warranty. Those granules shield the shingle from UV and are not replaceable once they are gone. Major shingle makers and the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association point to low pressure washing as the safe way to clean a shingle roof. We do not put high pressure on any roof, ever.

Why Roofs Streak So Fast Around Jackson

Warm temperatures, high humidity, regular rain, and shade from mature trees give Gloeocapsa magma an ideal home across the metro. The algae takes hold on the slopes that stay damp longest and spreads from there. Moss and lichen follow in the same shaded, moisture-holding spots, rooting into the granules and lifting shingle edges over time.

How Often You Should Wash Your Roof

Asphalt shingle roofs: every one to two years, depending on shade and how fast the streaks return
Heavily shaded or tree-covered roofs: on the shorter end of that range
At the first sign of streaking: treat it before it spreads across the whole roof

Why Recurring Service Is Worth It

A roof is the most expensive surface on your home to replace, which makes keeping it clean one of the easiest maintenance decisions to justify.

Protects curb appeal and home value. Black streaks are the single most visible sign of a neglected exterior, and buyers and appraisers read them that way even when the roof is structurally fine.
Keeps it from spreading. Algae, moss, and lichen move across the roof and onto gutters and siding when left alone. A regular treatment stops the spread at the source.
Removes trapped moisture and heat. The dark algae mat holds moisture against the roof and absorbs heat. Clearing it keeps the surface drier and cooler.
Protects your warranty. Cleaning by the method manufacturers approve keeps your shingle warranty intact, unlike high pressure cleaning.
Cheaper than the alternative. A periodic wash is a small fraction of the cost of replacing a roof, and a clean roof simply lasts and looks better between now and then.

What We Clean

Asphalt shingle roofs, and other delicate roofing where low pressure is required. We remove algae streaking, moss, lichen, and the dirt and organic growth that build up on a shaded roof. Heavier or specialized staining gets assessed up front, and we tell you straight what we can and cannot do.