Roof Cleaning · Baton Rouge, LA
Roof Cleaning in Baton Rouge
We remove the black streaks and algae staining roofs across the Baton Rouge area using low-pressure soft washing, the method the asphalt roofing industry recommends, for homes and commercial buildings alike.
- Soft Wash OnlyNo pressure washer on your shingles
- Whole-Roof CleaningEven, uniform results
- Landscape ProtectionPre-wet and rinsed throughout
- Fully InsuredProof of coverage available
The basics
What roof cleaning actually is
"Roof cleaning" done correctly means soft washing. A cleaning solution is applied at low pressure, left to work for a set dwell time, and then rinsed away gently. The solution breaks down the organism causing the stains. It is not scrubbed, scraped, or blasted off.
It is the opposite of running a pressure washer over your roof. The difference between the two methods, and where each one belongs, is covered in soft washing vs pressure washing.
In short
- A cleaning solution does the work, not force
- Low pressure on the roof surface, always
- Even coverage so color is uniform
- Results are real but not permanent (algae is airborne)
Why it happens
What causes black streaks and algae on Louisiana roofs
The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) identifies the cause directly.
The streaks are algae, most often Gloeocapsa magma. ARMA describes it as the most prevalent of several algae species behind roof discoloration, carried through the air and settling and growing on roofing. Because it's airborne, one stained roof in a neighborhood tends to be followed by others.
ARMA also notes algae grows worst in warm, humid conditions, a plain description of the Gulf South. Shade from live oaks and pines keeps roofs damp and makes it worse. You'll usually see it first on north-facing slopes and the lower third of a roof plane. More on this in what causes black streaks on roofs in Louisiana.
Method matters
Why soft washing is the safe way to clean a roof
This isn't our house style. It's the shingle manufacturers' guidance.
ARMA states you should never use a pressure washer on an asphalt shingle roof because it causes granule loss and very likely premature failure of the roof system, and that no brush or broom should touch the surface either.
Its recommended method is a cleaning solution applied with a sprayer, a 15–20 minute dwell, and a low-pressure rinse. That is soft washing. See can you pressure wash asphalt shingles?
- Protects the granulesThe layer that shields shingles from UV stays intact.
- Follows manufacturer guidanceMatches ARMA's published cleaning method.
- Controlled around plantsLow pressure is manageable near landscaping. A pressure washer isn't.
- Even resultThe whole plane cleans to one color instead of streaky patches.
What we clean
Roof types we service
The solution mix and rinse are adjusted per roof type. The constant is low pressure on the surface.
Asphalt & architectural shingle
The most common roof in the area, and the one ARMA's pressure-washer warning is about.
Standing-seam & corrugated metal
Organic growth and run-off staining lifted without abrasion.
Tile & slate
Cleaned with care for the material and the underlayment below.
Low-slope commercial systems
TPO, EPDM, and modified-bitumen roofs on commercial buildings.
Cedar & composite
Gentle treatment for wood and synthetic shakes.
Mixed roofs
Homes with shingle plus a metal porch or bay, handled in one visit.
Why bother
What you get out of it
- Curb appeal backThe roof reads as clean and maintained from the street.
- Even colorNo more one dark slope and one light slope.
- Ready to sellA stained roof is a common inspection and listing-photo problem.
- HOA complianceClears the 'clean your roof' letter without a re-roof.
- A look at the roofWe're up there and will flag anything obvious we see.
- RepeatableCan be scheduled so staining never gets bad again.
The process
How a roof cleaning goes
- 01
Free quote
We inspect the property whenever possible so we can assess the roof, access, landscaping, and any problem areas before giving you an accurate quote.
- 02
Protect the property
Cars and furniture moved or covered. Landscaping soaked with plain water.
- 03
Apply & dwell
Low-pressure application, then 15–20 minutes of dwell time per ARMA guidance.
- 04
Rinse & check
Gentle rinse, landscaping rinsed again, walk-around before we leave.
Step-by-step: how professional roof soft washing works.
Non-negotiable
Protecting your landscaping
ARMA's guidance explicitly calls for protecting landscaping and surrounding areas from the cleaning solution. Here's how that works in practice.
- Pre-wetEvery bed, shrub, and patch of grass in the splash zone soaked with plain water first.
- Kept wetFoliage stays wet through application and dwell, actively re-wet on hot days.
- Rinsed afterLandscaping and hardscape flushed again once the roof is rinsed.
Homes & businesses
Roof cleaning for your situation
For homeowners
Most of our roof work is single-family homes, whether it's curb appeal, an HOA letter, or getting ready to list. We look at the roof to price it right, can work with you away, and bundle a house wash or driveway cleaning.
For commercial property
Offices, retail, churches, apartments, and facilities, scheduled around your operating hours, with whole-roof cleaning for consistent color from the street.
Proof
Before & after
Real roof cleaning jobs. Drag the slider to compare.
After
BeforeRed metal roof restored with a soft wash, Baton Rouge area, LA
After
BeforeShingle roof soft wash on a brick home, Baton Rouge area, LA
Reviews
Roof cleaning reviews
Professional from start to finish. They removed the green and black algae from our roof with no damage to any of the plants, and the roof looks new again.
Kevin was very professional and walked me through how he was going to soft wash the house from back to front. Highly recommend him.
Kevin did an outstanding job on our commercial building, Wayne Clark Realty, and on a personal home. Highly recommend him for jobs big or small.
Roof cleaning FAQ
Roof cleaning questions, answered
- They are algae, most often a species called Gloeocapsa magma. ARMA describes it as the most prevalent algae behind roof discoloration. It travels through the air and collects on roofs, and it is more noticeable on shaded, north-facing slopes.
- ARMA addresses roof algae as an appearance issue. The bigger risk to the roof in the guidance is how people try to remove it. ARMA states that pressure washing an asphalt shingle roof causes granule loss and very likely premature failure of the roof system.
- Because the shingle manufacturers' association says so. ARMA's method is to apply a cleaning solution with a sprayer, let it dwell for 15 to 20 minutes, and rinse with low-pressure water. It also says never to use a pressure washer or a brush or broom on the shingles. Soft washing follows that approach.
- Asphalt and architectural shingle, standing-seam and corrugated metal, tile, and low-slope commercial systems. The cleaning solution and rinse are adjusted to the roof type. The constant is low pressure on the surface.
- Our method follows ARMA's published low-pressure guidance rather than pressure washing. Shingle warranty terms vary by manufacturer and installer, so if a warranty matters to you, check its cleaning language and share any questions with us before we schedule.
- Beds, shrubs, and grass near the downspouts are saturated with plain water before we apply anything, kept wet while we work, and rinsed again afterward. This matches ARMA's instruction to protect landscaping and surrounding areas from the cleaning solution.
- Not necessarily. Many roof cleanings are done with the homeowner away, as long as we can access the roof, water, and the areas around the house. We'll confirm details when we schedule.
- Most single-family roofs are a few hours. Larger or steeper roofs, or heavily stained roofs that need more dwell time, can take longer. We give you a time window when we schedule.
- They can. Roof algae is airborne and Louisiana's climate is ideal for it, and ARMA notes that cleaning results are temporary. Many customers have their roof re-cleaned periodically to stay ahead of it.
Related services
Service area
Serving the Baton Rouge area
Serving the Baton Rouge metro and surrounding parishes.
- Baton Rouge
- Prairieville
- Denham Springs
- Central
- Zachary
- Gonzales
- Baker
- Walker
Just outside this list? Call (225) 773-1344. We may still be able to help.
Ready when you are
Get your roof cleaned the right way
Send a few photos and your address, and we'll set up a look at the roof so the quote is accurate.
Insured · Free estimates · Serving the Baton Rouge metro and surrounding parishes.