Roof Cleaning in Charleston, SC
Black streaks on a metal roof are mildew. Rain will not wash them off, and Charleston’s damp air keeps them growing. We clean metal roofs gently, with low pressure and no hard spray. We clean shingle roofs the same careful way.
Short answer: Roof cleaning in Charleston removes black streaks from metal and shingle roofs with low pressure and a cleaning solution, never hard spray. The price depends on the size and shape of your roof, so we give you an exact price after a quick visit. Most homes are done in one day.
What are the black streaks on a metal roof?
Most metal roofs in the Lowcountry get the same look after a few years. Dark streaks run down the panels. They are worst on the north side and under trees. Those streaks are mildew. It is alive, so it keeps growing. Rain will not wash it off. Our wet weather feeds it. The cleaning has to kill the growth itself.
The streaks also hold water against the roof. They make a sound roof look old and worn. That matters if you plan to list your home or refinance. Cleaning a streaked roof is one of the biggest changes you can make to how a home looks from the street. Want the full story on metal roofs? See our metal roof wash page.
We clean shingle roofs too
We also clean asphalt and architectural shingle roofs. On shingles, the dark streaks are mostly algae. We treat them the same gentle way. We never point a pressure washer at shingles.
Why we never pressure wash a roof
High pressure can scratch the coating on a metal roof. It can push water under panels and flashing. On shingles, it strips off the small granules that protect the roof. That can take years off a shingle roof and may void the warranty. A company that sprays a roof hard is trading your roof for speed.
We clean roofs the careful way. We apply a cleaning solution at low pressure. It kills the mildew and algae where they grow. Then we rinse with less force than a hard rain. It is the same reason we soft wash siding. We save strong spray for concrete and hardscapes built to take it.
Roofs we clean
- Metal roofs, standing seam and panel
- Asphalt and architectural shingle roofs
- One-story homes to tall coastal homes
- Porch and garage roofs
We protect your plants
Whatever goes on a roof runs off the edges. It lands on whatever grows below. So plant care is part of every roof cleaning. We wet the beds and leaves before we start. We control and thin out the runoff while we work. We rinse everything again when we finish. Tell us about any special plants near the roof edge, and we will plan around them.
How a TrueWash roof cleaning works
- Look at the roof and yard We check the roof type and condition. We walk around the house and note plants and anything else that needs care.
- Honest expectations Some marks will not come off, like rust or worn shingle granules. If we see them, we tell you before we start, not after.
- Protect below We wet the plant beds, guide the runoff and shield anything delicate near the house.
- Low-pressure treatment We apply the cleaning solution gently across the roof. It breaks down mildew and algae at the root. We never use a pressure washer.
- Rinse and review We give the roof and plants a final gentle rinse. If you are not home, we send you photos of the finished roof.
Who roof cleaning is best for
- Metal roofs with black streaks
- Homes on shady lots or under trees
- Homes getting ready to list, for an appraisal or for insurance photos
- Coastal and waterfront homes
- Shingle roofs with dark streaks
- Anyone pairing a roof clean with a full house wash
Why homeowners trust TrueWash
- $2 million liability insurance
- Licensed & insured
- Never a pressure washer on any roof
- Plants protected on every job
- Photos sent when the work is done if you are away
- 5.0 from 54 Google reviews · 100% satisfaction guarantee
Roof cleaning FAQ
- What are the black streaks on my metal roof?
- They are mildew, not dirt. Charleston's damp air feeds it. It spreads across the roof over time. It is worst on north slopes and in the shade of trees.
- Will rain wash the streaks off?
- No. Mildew is alive and holds on to the roof. Rain does not kill it. In our wet weather, rain helps it grow. It takes a cleaning solution to kill it at the root.
- Will roof cleaning damage my metal roof?
- Not the way we do it. We never use hard spray on a roof. High pressure can scratch the coating and push water under the panels. We use low pressure, so the roof never takes real force.
- Do you clean shingle roofs too?
- Yes. Shingle roofs get dark streaks too, mostly from algae. We never put a pressure washer on shingles. Pressure strips off the granules that protect them. We use the same gentle method.
- Will every stain come off?
- Most black streaks and green growth come off very well. Some marks cannot be cleaned away. Rust from flashing is one. Spots where shingle granules have worn off are another. We will point those out before we start.
- Will the treatment hurt my plants?
- We protect your plants on every roof job. Whatever goes on the roof runs off the edges. So we wet the plant beds first. We control and thin out the runoff. We rinse the plants again when we finish.
- Do results show right away?
- You will see a clear change right away. Spots often keep getting better over the next few weeks. Normal rain washes away the dead growth that is left.
- How long does a roof cleaning last?
- It depends on shade, trees and moisture around your home. So we will not promise a set number of years. Killing the growth at the root keeps a roof clean longer than a rinse. A maintenance schedule can keep it that way.
- Do I need to be home during the cleaning?
- No. We just need an outside spigot and room to work around the house. We can finish while you are out. Then we send you photos of the finished roof.
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Ready to lose the streaks?
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