Roof washing clears algae streaks, moss and green film from asphalt shingles using a gentle solution and a soft rinse, not a hard blast. Rob handles it solo from Woodstock and cleans roofs across Hampshire, IL, telling you honestly if a roof has little left to save. From $250; text photos of each slope to (815) 451-0106 for a quote at no cost.
Drive through the Hampshire subdivisions built in the 2000s and look up. Many roofs have the same pattern: dark vertical streaks on the slopes that face away from the sun, and clean-looking shingles on the sunny side. That is the usual look of Gloeocapsa magna, the algae behind most black roof streaks in the Midwest.
A roof that is ten to twenty-odd years old is at the stage where streaking is common and the shingles may still have useful life. Cleaning can make sense, but it is not always right. This page is a guide to deciding whether to clean now, wait, or call a roofer instead.
Clean now or wait: a plain-spoken decision guide
Clean now if the shingles are intact, lying flat, and mostly covered in streaks or moss. Cleaning removes the organic growth that holds moisture against the roof and can stop the staining from spreading. Hold off, or ring a roofer, if you see bare patches where granules are gone, curling or cupped edges, cracked tabs, or soft spots underfoot.
If a roof is beyond what cleaning can help, Rob will not wash it and will tell you why. Roofing manufacturers generally prefer light cleaning of asphalt shingles and discourage heavy pressure, since it strips the granules. The reasoning behind that advice is in Is Roof Washing Safe for Asphalt Shingles?.
Why second-decade roofs are the target in Hampshire
The village grew fast between 2000 and 2010, and the roofs on many of those homes are now old enough to carry growth. Asphalt shingles of any brand gradually roughen, and once a film of organic material builds up on the surface, algae has something to hold on to.
Hampshire's open lots also mean a lot of airborne dust and pollen from nearby fields. That food, plus the moisture on shaded slopes, helps algae spread. A roof that looked clean in year five can look striped by year twelve, and the streaks tend to widen from the ridge downward.
North slopes, trees and the Route 72 townhomes
The north-facing slopes stay damp longest, which is why streaks appear there first. On homes with older trees nearby, such as those closer to State Street, leaf litter and shade also encourage moss that grips between shingles and lifts the edges.
Townhome roofs along Route 72 present a different problem: the roof is shared or touches the neighbors, and an association may handle the roof itself. If that is you, ask before booking. For single-family homes with a very steep or tall roof, Rob will tell you plainly if access is a problem.
What roof washing involves and what it leaves out
Rob wets the landscaping, applies a cleaning solution to the roof at low pressure, lets it work, and rinses. The streaks do not vanish instantly. Dead algae often continues to fade over the next few rain cycles, so judge the result after a few weeks, not an hour after the rinse.
He does not scrape shingles, scrub them with brushes, or use a hard stream aimed up under the tabs. If you want to look at related work, gutter cleaning is often handled during the same visit, since runoff carries grit into the troughs, and soft washing for the siding below catches the drip lines.
- Shingles checked for loose or damaged areas before any water is applied
- Plants and nearby surfaces protected and rinsed
- Low-pressure application, no scraping
Limits worth knowing before you book
Washing does not repair shingles, seal leaks or add years to a failing roof. A stain that is actually rust, or granule loss from age or hail, will not wash away. Copper or zinc strips along the ridge can slow algae returning, though that is a decision to discuss with a roofer.
Take photos of the roof from the ground in good light and text them over. Rob can often tell from the pictures whether you have algae, moss, lichen or just wear, and what the realistic outcome looks like.
Roof Washing through the year in Hampshire
Spring
A good window once the roof is dry and frost is out. Winter damp has left algae more visible, and pollen has not yet coated everything.
Summer
Warm, dry days are good for the work itself. Expect pollen and field dust to settle again afterward, which rinses off in rain.
Early fall
Get it done before leaves land on the roof so debris does not hold damp against fresh shingles all winter.
Winter
Roofs in Hampshire are frozen or snow-covered, so cleaning waits. Snapshot photos of streaks and plan the spring booking.
Getting a quote
If you are looking up at a streaked roof in Hampshire and wondering whether cleaning will help or just delay a bigger decision, Rob is happy to look at it with you. He does the work himself, keeps the pressure low, and is straightforward about what shingles can take. Text a few photos of each slope to (815) 451-0106 and you will get his quote and his honest opinion.