Roof Cleaning in Austin, TX
Black streaks, moss, and lichen removed with low-pressure soft washing — never a pressure washer. Serving Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, and Georgetown.
Why Austin Roofs Streak
Central Texas gives roof algae everything it wants: long humid stretches, heavy spring rain, and mature oak and cedar canopies that keep whole slopes in shade. The result is Gloeocapsa magma — the blue-green algae responsible for those dark vertical streaks — plus moss and lichen that root into shingle granules and hold moisture against the roof deck.
Left alone, that growth traps heat and moisture, accelerates granule loss, and drags down the look of an otherwise well-kept home. Cleaning it off is maintenance, not cosmetics.
Soft Washing, Not Pressure Washing
A pressure washer will strip the protective granules off asphalt shingles and can drive water under tile and flashing. We use the soft wash method instead: low pressure, roughly what a garden hose puts out, paired with biodegradable cleaning solutions that kill the organism at the root so the roof stays clean far longer than a rinse-only job.
Our Roof Cleaning Process
1. Inspection
We walk the property, check shingle condition, flashing, and gutter runoff paths, and note any landscaping that needs protection.
2. Landscape Prep
Beds, shrubs, and turf around the drip line get saturated with clean water and covered where needed before a drop of solution is applied.
3. Low-Pressure Application
Biodegradable soft wash solution is applied at low pressure from ladders or the ground so no one is walking your shingles more than necessary.
4. Dwell & Kill
The solution dwells long enough to kill algae, moss, and lichen at the root — not just rinse the surface color away.
5. Rinse & Final Check
Roof, gutters, siding, and landscaping are rinsed down and we walk the property with you before we pack up.
Roof Cleaning FAQs
What causes the black streaks on my roof?
Those dark streaks are almost always Gloeocapsa magma, a hardy blue-green algae that feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles. Central Texas humidity and shaded north-facing slopes let it spread fast. It is a living organism, so it will keep returning until it is killed at the root rather than just rinsed off.
Will pressure washing damage my roof?
Yes — high pressure strips the protective granules off asphalt shingles and can force water under tiles and flashing. That is why we never pressure wash a roof. We soft wash, using low pressure (roughly garden-hose strength) and cleaning solutions that do the work chemically.
How long does roof cleaning take?
Most single-family roofs in the Austin area are finished in two to four hours, depending on pitch, square footage, and how heavy the growth is. There is no cure time — the roof looks dramatically better the same day.
Is soft washing safe for plants and pets?
We pre-wet and rinse surrounding landscaping before, during, and after the wash, and we use biodegradable detergents. Keep pets indoors while we are working and they can come back out once the area is rinsed and dry.
How often should an Austin roof be cleaned?
Most homes here benefit from a soft wash every two to three years. Heavily shaded roofs, or homes surrounded by oaks and cedar, may show streaking again sooner.
What does roof cleaning cost?
Pricing depends on roof size, pitch, access, and how much organic growth is present, so we quote flat-rate after seeing photos or the property. Send a photo or book a free on-site estimate and you will get an exact number before any work is scheduled.
Ready To Lose The Black Streaks?
Text or email a photo of your roof and we'll come back with a flat-rate soft wash quote — usually same day.