Roof Cleaning & Soft Washing in Tampa, FL

In the Carrollwood area of Tampa, last spring, we met a homeowner with black streaks on her roof. The black had been spreading for two years. A neighbor told her it was just dirt. A roofer told her it meant she was going to need a new roof. Neither of them was correct.

She had a bad case of a type of algae called Gloeocapsa magma. It is everywhere on the roofs of houses in Tampa.

When done correctly, roof cleaning can remove all types of algae from your roof without damaging your shingles. As Tampa’s premier exterior cleaning contractor, Pink Flamingo Power Wash has cleaned roofs from all over the area, including homes in Westchase, Northdale, Lake Magdalene, Lutz, and Citrus Park.

We know the difference between a roof that needs a good cleaning and one that needs to be replaced. We can clean your roof if that is all it needs.

Roof Soft Wash Cleaning

Soft wash roof cleaning is the preferred method for cleaning roofs according to shingle manufacturers and various roofing associations. Soft wash roof cleaning uses low-pressure water and a safe, non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning solution. The cleaning solution dissolves and kills the algae and other organic matter that causes black stains on roofs. The remains of the algae and other matter are then rinsed from the roof, leaving no stains.

We have cleaned hundreds of roofs in Tampa neighborhoods like Greater Northdale and Westchase using this exact method. The method works well on Asphalt Shingle Roofs, Tile Roofs, and Metal Roofs. Immediately, you can see the results of roof cleaning. A dark, streaky roof will look much like it did when it was new, often surprising homeowners with the results.

Soft washing can provide longer-lasting results than high-pressure washing. The soft washing agents kill the algal organisms as opposed to simply removing the visible growth. In Tampa’s climate, most roofs will remain clean for 1 to 3 years before requiring a second soft washing treatment.

Shingle Roof Cleaning

Asphalt shingle roofs are by far the most common type of roof found on homes in Tampa. They are also the type most affected by black algae. Black streaks on roofs are almost always caused by Gloeocapsa magma algae. This algae feeds on the limestone filler in shingles and spreads from shingle to shingle.

Roof cleaning for shingle roofs is used to remove algae from roofs to prevent further spread. If caught early enough in the algae growth process a roof can be cleaned and extend the life of the roof and possibly prevent an early replacement of the roof. But if left too long, the algae can cause the shingles to deteriorate faster than normal. We have observed many roofs in the Lutz area that could have been saved with an early roof cleaning to remove the algae before it caused severe damage to the roof. Instead, the roof had to be replaced early due to the problem with the algae on the roof.

We don’t use high pressure on asphalt shingles. We use the soft wash process every time. Protecting the shingle is as important as cleaning the shingle. Be very skeptical of roof cleaning companies that use full-blast pressure washing on shingles. Yes, the roof may get cleaned, but the lifespan of the shingles will be reduced significantly.

Tile Roof Cleaning

In Tampa, many new homes are built with tile roofs, particularly in higher-end communities in Westchase and Carrollwood. While concrete and clay tiles are highly durable in Florida weather, they often harbor algae and moss, much like shingle roofs. In particularly shaded areas of the roof, the dampness creates particularly heavy buildup of algae and moss.

Cleans tile roofs with care to avoid damaging the tile or the mortar that holds the ridge caps and edge tiles together. Low pressure and an appropriate cleaning solution are used. We go around fragile areas of the roof and try not to step on the tiles as much as possible because even one cracked tile can cause a leak.

The tile surface will return to the original color after proper cleaning of a tile roof. What owners thought needed replacement could have been cleaned to return to original condition saving them a lot of money.

Moss and Algae Removal from Roofs

Moss is a different problem than algae. While algae appears as dark streaks or as darkening of the roof surface, moss appears as actual green growth. It can grow to be quite thick and even be seen by people on the ground. As with any growth on your roof, moss holds moisture against the roof surface. And as that moisture penetrates the roof surface, it can seep into the space between the shingles and the roof tiles and cause damage.

Chemical roof treatment to kill moss is often necessary to safely remove the roof moss. Simply pulling or scrubbing the moss off of your roof by hand can pull shingles or lift and/or break the seal on tiles. Our moss removal process for roofs in Lake Magdalene and Greater Northdale first kills the moss and then safely removes it. The roofs of homes in these shaded areas are particularly prone to moss growth due to the dampness that persists in the roof surface.

Removal of Algae is similar in nature. A correct concentration of sodium hypochlorite solution is applied, and the Algae are killed. The solution will not harm roofing material or surrounding landscaping. The Algae will die and either wash away or disintegrate in a few weeks. Staining is removed either way.

Roof Stain Removal

Roof stains in Tampa are often caused by algae, but there are other causes of staining such as rust from metal such as roof flashing or HVAC equipment and tannin staining from the leaves of overhanging trees, especially oak trees. Each type of staining requires a different treatment. In Tampa areas with high canopy, such as Carrollwood, tannin staining is very common.

We try to establish what type of staining is present on a roof before we start any treatment. Treating Algae staining with a Rust Remover is completely ineffective, and treating Rust staining with an Algae treatment is pointless – wasting time and money. We treat a roof with the correct product for the problem – after viewing the roof in question. If we are unsure, we will tell you.

Commercial Roof Cleaning

Algae and organic growth on commercial roofs in Tampa can be just as problematic as on residential roofs. Flat roofs, metal-panel roofs, and other low-slope commercial roofs are prone to accumulating biological growth and debris. A dirty commercial roof can cause a variety of problems, including failing to drain properly, causing damage to roofing surfaces, and providing an unfavorable view to your business’s customers and visitors.

As a commercial roof cleaning company for Tampa businesses, Pink Flamingo Power Wash works around your business hours. We can also provide “before and after” photos for your property management records. If you are a property management company with multiple properties in the Tampa Bay area, we can schedule all of the properties to be cleaned on one day.

Why Roof Cleaning Matters in Tampa

In Tampa, heat and humidity affect roofs in ways that few people fully understand. Algae grows faster on roofs in more humid climates and can become very noticeable on roofs by fall if not treated in the spring. Each year that passes and the problem is left untreated only makes the problem worse.

Another consideration is that many of the Florida homeowners’ insurance companies are now taking a closer look at roof condition, in some cases even dropping policyholders with heavy algae or moss growth on their roofs, and requiring them to replace their roofs early. A photo of a clean roof at renewal time could end up being more important than it has been in the past. It costs less to get your roof cleaned on an annual basis than it does to battle a claim denial.

The other important consideration is curb appeal. A dirty, streaked roof gives the impression that someone has neglected to keep up the rest of the house as well. Many of our Citrus Park and Northdale customers who are listing their homes have the roofs cleaned before they put the house on the market. The before-and-after photos look dramatically different, and it greatly affects how the house looks when potential buyers are driving by, as well as in online photos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is roof pressure washing safe for my shingles?

It depends on how they do it. High-pressure washing can cause a lot of damage to your shingles by removing the protective granules from your roof. At Pink Flamingo Power Wash, we perform every roof cleaning with a soft wash method. We use low pressure and a cleaning solution to do all of the work, not your shingles. If a company offers to power wash your roof at the same pressure they use to clean your driveways, then they are raising a red flag.

How long does roof cleaning last in Tampa?

A soft wash treatment on a typical Tampa roof can keep it clean for 1 to 3 years. Heavily shaded roofs or those with very large trees above them will need to be cleaned every 6 months up to a year. Most roofs with normal sun exposure will need to be cleaned every 2 years or so.

Will roof cleaning chemicals hurt my landscaping?

Answer: No. The sodium hypochlorite solution that we use to kill algae is a diluted solution that will not harm plants. We water down the landscaping around the house before we apply the solution, then we rinse everything off, and then wet down the landscaping again. We are careful not to get the solution on vegetable gardens and sensitive plants. If you have plants that you are particularly concerned about, please let us know before we begin, and we will use extra caution.

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