Roof Cleaning in Charleston, SC
Those black streaks running down your shingles are not dirt — they are algae, and Charleston's humidity keeps them fed. We remove them with low-pressure roof cleaning that treats the growth without ever putting a pressure washer on your roof.
What those streaks really are
In the Lowcountry, almost every roof more than a few years old develops the same look: dark vertical streaks spreading down the slopes, heaviest on the north side and anywhere trees cast shade. That is a living layer of algae, and our humid climate is close to ideal for it. Because it is growth rather than a stain, scrubbing or spraying the surface only removes what you can see — the treatment has to reach the growth itself.
Beyond looks, that layer holds moisture against the roof, and on a home you are trying to sell or refinance, a streaked roof reads as neglect even when the roof underneath is perfectly sound. Cleaning it is one of the most dramatic curb-appeal changes a Charleston home can get.
Why we never pressure wash a roof
Asphalt shingles are covered in protective granules, and a pressure washer strips them off — taking years of protection with them and often voiding manufacturer warranties. Metal roofs fare little better: high pressure can scratch coatings and force water under panels and flashing. Any company that points a pressure washer at a roof is trading your roof's condition for their speed.
TrueWash cleans roofs the careful way: a cleaning solution applied at low pressure kills the algae and mildew where it grows, then everything is rinsed with pressure gentler than a hard rain. The same philosophy applies across our work — it is why we soft wash siding too, and save real pressure for concrete and hardscapes built to take it.
Roofs we clean
- Asphalt and architectural shingle roofs
- Metal roofs — standing seam and panel
- Single-story ranches to multi-story coastal homes
- Porch and garage roofs
Your landscaping is part of the job
Everything applied to a roof eventually comes off the roof — down the slopes, through the gutters, and onto whatever lives below. That is why plant protection is built into every roof cleaning, not an afterthought. We pre-wet beds and foliage before we start, manage and dilute runoff while we work, and rinse everything again when we finish. If you have prized plantings near the drip line, tell us and we will plan around them.
How a TrueWash roof cleaning works
- Roof and property review We confirm the roof material and condition, walk the perimeter, and note landscaping, gutters, and anything that needs protecting.
- Honest expectations If we see staining that cleaning cannot fix — rust marks, worn granules — we tell you before we start, not after.
- Protect below Plant beds are pre-wet, runoff paths are managed, and anything delicate near the house is shielded.
- Low-pressure treatment The cleaning solution is applied gently across the roof so it can break down algae and mildew at the source. No pressure washer, ever.
- Rinse and review The roof and everything below it get a final gentle rinse, and we send photos of the finished result if you are not home.
Who roof cleaning is best for
- Homes with visible black streaking
- Shaded lots and tree-covered roofs
- Homes preparing for sale, appraisal, or insurance photos
- Coastal and waterfront properties
- Metal-roof owners who want the finish protected
- 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
- Landscaping protected on every job
- Photos sent when work is complete if you are away
- 5.0-rated on Google (26 reviews) · 100% satisfaction guarantee
Roof cleaning FAQ
- What are the black streaks on my roof?
- Those dark streaks are algae growth, not dirt. Charleston's humidity feeds it, and it spreads across shingles over time — worst on north-facing slopes and sections shaded by trees.
- Will roof cleaning damage my shingles?
- Not the way we do it. We never put a pressure washer on a roof, because pressure strips the protective granules off asphalt shingles. Our low-pressure application is gentle enough that the roof never takes any real force.
- Can you clean metal roofs?
- Yes. Metal roofs collect the same algae, mildew, and coastal grime as shingle roofs, and low-pressure cleaning removes it without scratching or dulling the finish.
- Will every stain come off?
- Most organic staining — black streaks, green growth, and similar buildup — responds very well to treatment. Some marks, like rust from flashing or discoloration where granules have worn away, cannot be removed by cleaning, and we will point those out honestly before we start.
- Will the treatment hurt my plants or landscaping?
- Protecting landscaping is a core part of roof work, because everything applied to the roof eventually runs off the edges. We pre-wet plant beds, manage and dilute runoff, and rinse foliage when we finish.
- Do results show up immediately?
- You will see a clear difference right away, and treated areas often continue to improve as the remaining dead growth breaks down and washes away with normal rain over the following weeks.
- How long does a roof cleaning last?
- It depends on shade, tree cover, and moisture around your home, so we will not promise a set number of years. Treating the growth at its source keeps a roof cleaner longer than any surface-level rinse, and a maintenance schedule can keep it that way.
- Do I need to be home during the cleaning?
- No. As long as we can access water and the areas around the house, we can complete the job while you are out and send photos of the finished roof.
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