That dark streaking on your roof is not just an eyesore. It is alive, and it is slowly doing damage to your shingles.
Gloeocapsa magma, the algae responsible for those black-green streaks you see on asphalt roofs across Newton, feeds on the limestone filler in shingles. Over time it degrades the shingle material itself. Moss goes further: its root structures physically lift the edges of shingles, creating channels for water to work its way underneath. Lichen is the most stubborn of the three, bonding chemically to the shingle surface and pulling off granule coating when removed improperly.
Newton’s climate creates ideal conditions for all three. Humid summers, wet autumns, and the deep shade cast by the mature oaks and maples that make our neighborhoods beautiful all contribute to organic growth on rooftops. Professional roof cleaning removes these organisms properly and applies treatment to slow their return.
We also note anything that warrants monitoring or repair while we are up there, at no extra charge. Sometimes a cleaning visit catches a flashing issue or a cracked shingle that the homeowner had no idea existed.
Professional soft-wash roof cleaning for a typical Newton home runs between $400 and $900 depending on roof size, pitch, and severity of growth. It is one of the most cost effective maintenance investments available. Keeping moss and algae off a roof can extend its useful life by several years and delay the much larger expense of early replacement.
We clean roofs throughout Newton and surrounding communities. Spring and fall are the most popular times, though we work year-round in appropriate weather. Call or request online.
For most Newton properties situated under mature trees, we recommend a professional soft-wash cleaning every three to five years. If you are in a heavily shaded area or have had recurring algae issues, every two to three years is more appropriate.
Between professional cleanings, the most useful thing homeowners can do is clear debris from gutters and roof valleys each fall. Leaves and organic material that sits in valleys over winter provides food and moisture for moss and algae growth in the spring.
