Roof Cleaning & Black Streak Removal in Mobile, AL
Those black streaks running down your roof aren't dirt or worn shingles — they're algae, a hardy growth called Gloeocapsa magma that feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles. On the Gulf Coast it's nearly universal, and beyond looking bad it holds moisture on the roof, shortens shingle life, and can nudge your cooling bills up by darkening the surface. Insurers and buyers notice it too; a streaked roof reads as a neglected roof.
You do not pressure wash a roof — high pressure tears the protective granules off shingles and voids many warranties. We soft wash: a low-pressure application of the cleaning solution roofing manufacturers actually recommend, which kills the algae and lets the streaks rinse and weather away. It's the same gentle approach as house washing, aimed at the one surface you least want to damage. Metal, tile, and flat roofs get cleaned by the method that suits them.
What roof cleaning covers
- Asphalt / composition shingle roofs (soft wash)
- Black algae streak (Gloeocapsa magma) removal
- Moss and lichen treatment on shaded roofs
- Metal and low-slope roofs by suitable method
- Gutter exterior brightening while we're up there
- Landscaping pre-wet and rinsed to protect plants
- No high pressure — manufacturer-approved soft washing
How it works
Tell us about the roof
Roof type, age, single or two-story, and how heavy the streaking is — enough to quote most roofs.
On-site assessment
We check the roof and access, protect the landscaping below, and give you one written price.
Soft wash application
Cleaning solution applied at low pressure from safe footing, worked into the algae, and left to do its job.
Rinse and protect
Controlled rinse where needed, plants rinsed again, and the streaks continue to fade and weather off over the following weeks.
Why every Gulf Coast roof streaks
Roof algae thrives in warm, humid, rainy climates — which describes Mobile almost perfectly. The spores travel on the wind, so once a few roofs in a neighborhood streak, the rest follow, especially on the shaded and north-facing slopes that dry out slowest. Under heavy live-oak canopy you'll often see moss and lichen on top of the black streaking, both of which hold even more moisture against the shingles.
Because the growth is biological, killing it is what matters — not blasting it. A proper soft wash treats the algae at the source, and the black staining lifts as it dies and the rain rinses it. Pressure washing might make a roof look clean for an afternoon while quietly stripping years off its life; that trade isn't worth it on the most expensive surface of your house. Done right, a soft-washed roof stays clear for several years in this climate.
Roof Cleaning questions
How much does roof cleaning cost in Mobile?
Most single-story shingle roofs run $350–$600 and larger or two-story roofs more, depending on size, pitch, and how heavy the growth is. You get an exact written price after we see the roof — the assessment is free.
Will cleaning damage my shingles or void the warranty?
Not the way we do it. High-pressure washing strips granules and can void warranties, which is why we never use it on roofs. Soft washing is the low-pressure method asphalt-shingle manufacturers and the roofing trade association actually recommend for algae removal.
Do the black streaks come off right away?
The algae is killed on the day we treat it, and much of the staining rinses immediately. Any remaining shadow continues to fade over the following couple of weeks as the dead growth weathers off in the rain — that's normal and expected.
How often does a roof need cleaning here?
In our climate, most roofs stay clear for roughly three to five years after a proper soft wash. Heavily shaded roofs under oaks — especially with moss — trend shorter. We'll give you an honest read on your specific roof.