Most people who search for roof pressure washing want the dark streaks gone. We get that. On asphalt shingles the streaks are usually a cyanobacterium called Gloeocapsa magma, which feeds on the limestone filler in the shingle and spreads on the wind, as the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association explains. Tile, flat, and metal roofs grow algae and mildew of their own.
High pressure takes the protective surface off and can push water under the roof. We use a soft wash instead: low pressure, and a roof-safe cleaner that does the actual work.
High-pressure blasting compared with low-pressure soft wash on a roof| On your roof | High-pressure blasting | Our low-pressure soft wash |
|---|
| Shingles | Knocks off protective granules. | Granules stay in place. |
|---|
| Algae and mildew | Roots stay and streaks return sooner. | Cleaner kills growth at its base. |
|---|
| Water intrusion | Can force water under the roof surface. | Gentle flow that follows the way rain runs. |
|---|
| Tile, flat, and metal | Can chip tile and scar coatings and membranes. | Safe on tile, flat roofs, metal, and shingle. |
|---|
Hollywood roofs mix Mediterranean Revival barrel tile in the historic downtown core, concrete tile and shingle on later construction, and flat or metal roofing on beachfront condos and newer buildings. Heat, humidity, and salt air along the coast grow algae and mildew faster here than on a comparable inland city. Pressure on tile stays well under the roughly 1,200 psi ceiling that tile care guides recommend, with a concrete-safe cleaner doing the work and extra caution on older, more brittle barrel tile.
Hollywood is inside the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, which covers Miami-Dade and Broward counties both, and roofing products installed here need a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance even though the city is in Broward. We clean roofs. Repairs and re-roofing belong to a licensed roofer. Roofs closest to the Broadwalk typically need washing sooner than roofs on quieter, more inland streets farther from the beach.
Most roofs do well with a wash every two to three years. Shaded slopes and roofs under trees grow algae faster and may need it sooner. A damp, algae-covered roof also sheds more grit into the gutters below, which is one more reason we handle both in a single visit.
See how our roof washing works in Hollywood