Soft Wash Roof Cleaning — The Only Method That's Safe
Those ugly black streaks running down your roof aren't dirt, and they're not just cosmetic — they're Gloeocapsa magma, a cyanobacteria that literally feeds on the limestone filler in your asphalt shingles. Left untreated, it shortens your roof's lifespan by years, reduces energy efficiency by absorbing heat, and tanks your curb appeal.
Best Power Wash LI uses soft wash roof cleaning — the only method recommended by shingle manufacturers like GAF, CertainTeed, and Owens Corning. Our low-pressure technique uses specialized cleaning solutions to kill algae, moss, and lichen at the root without any risk of shingle damage or warranty voiding.
Why You Should NEVER Pressure Wash a Roof
This is worth emphasizing because many companies still offer high-pressure roof cleaning, and many homeowners don't know the risks:
- Strips granules — high pressure blasts away the protective granule layer, accelerating aging
- Voids warranties — every major shingle manufacturer explicitly prohibits pressure washing
- Cracks tiles — clay and concrete tiles can shatter under high pressure
- Forces water underneath — high pressure drives water under flashing, ridge caps, and shingles into your attic
- Creates invisible damage — you may not see leaks for months after pressure washing
Our soft wash system uses about 60 PSI. The cleaning solution, not water pressure, does all the work.
What Our Roof Cleaning Removes
- Black streaks (Gloeocapsa magma) — the most common roof eyesore on Long Island
- Green moss — especially common on north-facing slopes and under trees
- Lichen — the crusty, hard growth that embeds into shingle surfaces
- Mildew & mold — dark patches in shaded or damp areas
- Organic debris — leaf stains, tree sap, pollen buildup
Our Roof Cleaning Process
We apply our cleaning solution from the peak down using soft wash equipment. The solution kills all organic growth on contact and continues working as it sheets down the roof surface. Most results are visible within hours, with full results developing over the following 1-2 weeks as dead organisms naturally wash away with rain.
For heavy moss or lichen, we may need a pre-treatment application. We'll identify this during your free estimate and include it in our quote.
Safe for All Roof Types
Our process works on every roofing material found on Long Island:
- 3-tab asphalt shingles
- Architectural/dimensional shingles
- Cedar shake and wood shingles
- Clay and concrete tile
- Slate roofing
- Metal roofing
- Flat/low-slope roofing systems
What Affects Roof Cleaning Cost?
- Roof size — measured in squares (100 sq ft each)
- Roof pitch — steeper roofs require more time and safety equipment
- Severity of growth — heavy moss and lichen require pre-treatment
- Roof type — specialty materials may need adjusted solutions
- Stories — higher homes need longer reach and additional setup
Combine roof cleaning with house washing for the best value — most customers do both together for a complete exterior transformation.
Serving All of Long Island
We clean roofs across Nassau and Suffolk County — Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Smithtown, Huntington, Massapequa, Great Neck, and every community on the island.