Inspections & Maintenance
Soft-Wash roof cleaning for black streaks and moss in Memphis
Those black streaks running down the shaded side of the roof are not dirt. They are algae, and they come back every humid summer. We remove them at low pressure, without blasting granules off the shingles.
We answer 24/7 across Memphis and Shelby County
The job
What those streaks actually are
Quick answer
Roof cleaning in Memphis means soft washing: a low-pressure spray of a cleaning solution that kills algae, moss and lichen on the shingles, followed by a gentle rinse. Pressure washing is not used on asphalt shingles, because high pressure strips the granules that protect them from the sun and can void manufacturer coverage.
The dark streaks on many shingle roofs are a blue-green algae that spreads by airborne spores and grows best on shaded, damp slopes. It rarely causes leaks by itself, but it holds moisture, darkens the roof so it absorbs more heat, and makes a sound roof look older than it is.
Moss and lichen are harder on shingles. They root into the granule surface and lift shingle edges as they grow, and under trees they trap leaves that keep the roof damp.
Algae streak removal
We apply a cleaning solution at garden-hose pressure, let it work on the algae, and rinse gently, so the streaks lift without the granules. Plants and shrubs below are wetted before and after, and downspouts are turned away from beds. The roof looks cleaner right away and keeps brightening over the following rains as the dead algae washes off. Where streaks return quickly, zinc or copper strips near the ridge release metal ions with every rain that slow new growth.
Moss and lichen treatment
Moss holds water against the shingles and lifts their edges as it grows, so it needs more than a rinse. We treat it, let it die back, and remove what loosens without scraping or prying at the shingle surface, which does more damage than the moss. Lichen clings harder and often takes more than one treatment to release. Once the roof is clear, we check the shingle edges where moss was thickest and hand-seal any tabs that lifted, because those edges are where wind gets in next.
Gutter and valley debris cleanout
Cleaning the roof surface without clearing the valleys and gutters leaves the conditions that grew the algae in the first place. We clear leaves, needles and granule buildup from valleys, the uphill side of chimneys and skylights, and the gutters and downspouts, then flush the downspouts to make sure water leaves the roof. It is also a chance to look at the roof up close, and anything that needs repair goes on the photo report with a note on how urgent it is.
Local conditions
Why Memphis roofs streak and run hot
Algae has room to spread here: a typical Memphis home carries 25 to 30 squares of roof, and once it starts on the shaded side it keeps going. Heat makes it matter more: in summer 2026 Extreme Heat Warnings covered the region as the city reached its hottest day of the year, and a streaked, darkened roof absorbs more of that sun than a clean one. Cleaning restores some of the shingles' reflectivity and lets you see the roof's real condition, which a coat of algae hides.
How it runs
How we clean a roof
- 01
Look first
Shingles, flashing and growth checked before cleaning.
- 02
Protect below
Plants wetted, downspouts turned away from beds.
- 03
Apply
Cleaning solution at garden-hose pressure.
- 04
Dwell and rinse
Growth given time to die, then rinsed gently.
- 05
Clear water paths
Valleys, gutters and downspouts cleared and flushed.
- 06
Report
Before and after photos, plus anything needing repair.
Black streaks on the shaded side of the roof?
Call and we will look at the roof, tell you whether it is algae, moss or wear, and clean it without harming the shingles.
Call (901) 459-6395Cost
What affects the cost of roof cleaning
Roof cleaning is priced by the roof's size and pitch and how much growth is on it.
- Roof area
Measured in squares of roof surface.
- Pitch and height
Steep and two-story roofs need more safety setup.
- Type of growth
Algae rinses away; moss and lichen take more treatment.
- Amount of growth
Heavy coverage needs longer dwell time.
- Gutter and valley cleanout
Debris removal added to the surface cleaning.
- Landscaping protection
Beds and plants below wetted and protected.
- Zinc or copper strips
Optional strips to slow regrowth.
Do it yourself or call
Cleaning it yourself versus calling us
Safe for homeowners
- Clearing gutters from a ladder with a helper holding it
- Trimming branches that shade and drop onto the roof
- Spraying a roof-safe cleaner from the ground with a garden sprayer
- Keeping downspouts clear so water leaves the roof
Leave these to us
- Walking a roof wet with cleaning solution, which is very slippery
- Any pressure washer on shingles
- Steep or two-story roofs
- Removing thick moss from shingle edges
FAQ
Roof cleaning questions from Memphis homeowners
No. High pressure strips the protective granules and shortens the roof's life. Shingle roofs are soft washed.
It depends on shade and moisture. Shaded slopes streak again sooner; zinc or copper strips near the ridge slow regrowth.
Not when plants are wetted before and after and runoff is managed, which is part of every job.
Not by themselves. Algae is mostly cosmetic and heat-related, though moss can lift shingles. Cleaning shows the real condition.
No, but we photograph what we see while we are up there, and anything needing repair goes on the report.