Roof Cleaning in Chester, NJ

Not the way we do it. Pressure washing shingles strips the granules and will void most manufacturer warranties — that's exactly why we soft wash instead. Low pressure and the correct solution kill the algae and mildew without disturbing the granule layer. On Chester's shaded roofs where moss has taken hold in the valleys, we let the solution do the work rather than scrubbing or blasting.

On a well-shaded Chester lot, expect to go a few years before the algae is visible again, versus longer on a sunny southern exposure. The tree canopy that keeps the north slope damp is what feeds regrowth. If you've got oaks and maples hanging right over the roof, trimming them back helps, and some homeowners add zinc or copper strips at the ridge to slow it down.

Late spring through fall works best, when temperatures are steady and the solution can dwell properly. We'd rather not work a roof in freezing conditions. Many Chester homeowners pair roof cleaning with their spring cleanup or schedule it after the fall leaves drop, so we can clear the gutters at the same visit.

It ranges widely — from a few hundred dollars for a small ranch to several thousand for a large, steep or complex roof. Size, pitch, material, access and how much algae has built up all factor in. You get a firm price up front, free.

No. We soft wash with low pressure and a cleaning solution — the method asphalt-shingle makers recommend. High-pressure washing is what damages roofs; we never do that on a roof.

That's a hardy algae called Gloeocapsa magma. It feeds on the limestone in your shingles and spreads in New Jersey's humidity. Soft washing kills it at the root, not just the surface.

Usually 2–4 years. Because soft washing kills the algae instead of just rinsing it, the clean lasts far longer than a quick power-rinse.