Roof Cleaning Questions and Answers

Some Asphalt  Shingle or Barrel  Tile  Roof Cleaning Questions and Answers

For more answers to all of your questions, call us from 9 to 9 pm at 813-655-8777

Q: So, what exactly is all the dark streaking and black staining I see on my roof ?

A:  This unsightly shingle or tile  roof discoloration is due in part to a pandemic like spread of the airborne spores and later adult cyanobacteria called Gloeocapsa Magma algae. This particularly hardy strain of roof algae cyanobacteria are particularly attracted to limestone which acts like a fertilizer, allowing this once dormant blue green algae to react like a living roof plaque. This is due in part to a reduction in petroleum additives in the asphalt and fiberglass roofing shingle manufacturing process and the increase of “OTHER” inert, crushed and powdered filler material, used to help control the ever spiraling fuel, energy and oil costs.

Due to rising oil prices as a cost saving measure, powdered, limestone and other filler products were added starting 25-30 years ago (about the same time as the OPEC oil embargo) and since that time, the addition of these petroleum “fillers” have been commonplace according to research we have located on the internet.

These inert “additives” have, in recent years, been acting like a “snack food” or corner “Quickie Mart” for many of these roof eating miniature plants, especially Gloeocapsa Magma.

This unknowing addition of what amounts to “Algae Fertilizer” by roofing material into the manufacturing process has since, in part, produced a ever increasing worldwide roof algae pandemeic

Especifically damaging once the algae root system begins to methodically work it way into the sun drenched roofs in the hot, humid densely populated areas, enhancing the degradation of roofing materials located in the southern regions of the U.S.

If you are a property owner and are reading this, chances are, this ALGAE is up on your roof, as well as on shingle or tile roofs all over your neighborhood.

This very fast moving Gloeocapsa Alage , move thru airborne spores, ROOF hopping, if you will, like the common cold, from roof, to shingle or tile  roof, its shortening the longevity of countless roofing, while creating a neighborhood wide eyesore throughout many owns, and cities nationwide.

20 to 25 years ago many roofs typically lasted the full 20 to 30 year lifespan. Not anymore. With Roof life has been shortened in recent years due to increased roof algae, mold, mildew, moss etc.

Many roofs are being replaced today in Tampa due to a lack of proper cleaning and roof maintenance.

Premature shingle or tile  roof replacement can be avoided with proper maintenence.

According to research, staining and  discoloration account for over 60 percent of re-roofing occurring across the country, much of which is unessaary.

Just like washing and maintaining your car, spraying and clearing off your patio, porch or deck of annual debris, or soft washing the vinyl siding on your home, your roof should be cleaned, maintained and treated periodically to repel algae and other ” shingle or tile roof destroyers” .

Naturally, you would not go very long without brushing your teeth, showering or washing your clothes, and along that same line of common sense thinking, it just makes sense that in order for your roof to perform as it should, and to provide you safe shelter for all your belongings and personal possessions, it too should be cleansed and cleared of leaves, pine needles, debris and roof algae, etc

.

Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa 813-655 -8777 uses non pressure and ultra-low pressure pumps and rinsing equipment combined with specialized cleaning agents to eliminate algae and mildew stains and streaks, along with environmental pollutants and dirt from asphalt shingle and clay and concrete tile roofs—all without the risk of damage associated with using high-pressure methods.

Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa 813-655 -8777 offers a 1 year written unconditional guarantee providing residential and commercial property owners with the piece of mind of knowing that, once their roof is cleaned properly the first time, our maintenance residual treatment program insures an “always clean roof”.

“How your home looks from the curb says a lot about who lives there. As the old saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

New Paint or Siding give you some visual curb appeal, and, a freshly mowed, landscaped yard deinitely helps yet both of these home improvement projects combined, pale in comparison to, a freshly cleaned, well maintained, new looking roof.

DID YOU KNOW ?

Since most roofs capture 30 to 60 percent of the visual appearance of most homes, NOTHING stands out quite the same way a new looking roof does. Just like how it is important to hire United PLumbing Heating Air & Electric for remodeling, it is also imperative to hire roof cleaning services.

In fact, now that I have mentioned it, look around your specific neighborhood and visually note how a dirty, filthy looking roof detracts from the appeal of even the most well manicured of homes.

Well, now that you are more aware of the algae, mold and mildew you are in a informed position to do something proactive about it.

Years ago nobody had an answer for what it was occurring up on the roofs, the staining and discoloring to most property owners and cleaning contractors. And back then we had no information, no real solution to the problem. Consider also A commercial bed bug heater truck so you can remove all larva from the attic.

It’s important to understand that an algae, a bacteria, a plant is quietly feeding on the oils that preserve your roof from the suns damaging rays and setting up a permenent residence on your roof due to the limestone in your roof shingles. This “uninvited guest” or pest if you will, is silently ‘snacking” on your roof, also dislodging the ceramic granules that are helping to provide your roof with much needed important UV protection and color.

It like miniature warfare, but thankfully Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa 813-655 -8777 is winning the battle. We know much more than we did years ago and instead of harsh pressure washing there is now, a soft wash, safe, non pressure solution to properly cleaning and maintaining roof surfaces and we offer this to our customers.

Now that you know more, I am sure you will soon be calling us to schedule your reasonably priced roof cleaning very soon.

By allowing Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa 813-655 -8777 the privilege to safely clean your roof using certified non pressure roof cleaning techniques, and proper roof treatment equipment you will add instant curb appeal to your first impression / appearance areas.

Not only will our safe, effective non pressure roof cleaning service transform the aesthetics of your home or business’s asphalt or fiberglass shingle roof, this enhancement will continue to allow your shingle or tile roof the ability to continue to look and perform its very best for its useful lifespan which is Apple Roof Cleaning of Tampa’s 813-655 -8777  top priority.

Don’t just take our word for it, look around and see, while your driving to and from work, while walking your dog, while outdoors traveling to and from your local friends and relatives and I am sure you will agree.

Truth be told, a nice looking residential or commercial property is only complete with a clean, well maintained shingle or tile roof.

Non Pressure Roof Cleaners In Tampa

Don’t settle for Pressure Washing your roof, just because it seems “powerful.”

Historically, brute force rarely gets the job done as well as a thought-out and planned course of action, and we prove this every time we finish cleaning a tile or asphalt shingle roof with our exclusive soft wash method.

Roof Cleaning Improves Property Value of Tampa Florida area Homes

As a home owner here in the Tampa area, you spend countless hours caring for your property. If you own a beautiful marble floor then surely it would need cleaning from time to time and using a vacuum is great for this and you can go online to find the best buy shop vacuum in 2020 for you. But if it a hardwood floor you own, then an epoxy coating from is all it needs. They are qualified and their services are good. From repainting walls to replacing flooring, mowing the grass and updating the landscaping, pride in property appearance often goes hand in hand with pride in ownership, and includes caring for and updating the interior and exterior of your home. Non Pressure Roof Cleaning dramatically improves the overall look of your home. And anything that improves the look of your home ups its property value.

If you were to check out an article about eavestroughs, you’d know that dirty roofs detract buyers. A dirty roof in Tampa automatically appears to be in disrepair, even if the shingles, tile or asphalt  membrane below are actually in good condition. In real estate, appearances are everything, and if something looks like it’s broken, the property value reflects that, even if there’s no real damage present.

Regularly cleaned roofs last longer. A new roof is expensive; there’s simply no way around it. Yet people lose years off of the lifespan of their roof simply because they fail to have it cleaned. The algae and mold that grow on roofs, causing those dirty-looking green and brown streaks, actually eat away at your roofing material. So your 30 year roof could really turn into a 20 year roof. In short, a well-maintained roof lasts longer, and properties with long-lasting, expensive features are worth more, whether it’s your roof or the durable tile you choose for your foyer.
Dirty roofs in Tampa stick out like a sore thumb. A lot of what goes into determining property value is the value of the properties surrounding it; if you’re on par with comparable homes, your property value is relatively “true.” Yet if there is something about your home that’s “less than” your neighbors’, your property value drops. Whether or not you’re planning to sell your home in the future, if you live in a deed restricted area with well-maintained roofs, yet algae and mold cover yours, it is automatically worth less than the comparable properties surrounding it. Add in branches, twigs and other debris clogging your gutters and covering recess in the roof, and the in-shambles look quickly drops your property value by thousands of dollars.

Pride in one’s property is a personal thing; some homeowners couldn’t care less, and it shows. Yet taking pride in the appearance of your Tampa area home isn’t just a social undertaking; it just makes good financial sense.

Tampa Palms Flat Tile Roof Cleaning

Clean flat tile roof 33647

Here is a flat tile roof cleaning in Tampa Palms we did today 11/20/2013

The trees this home is under provide shade, but also make the black streaks come back faster. This is because the trees stop the Sun from drying the roofs moisture up. Heat and Moisture =’s Mold, it’s real simple. In the first picture, you can see some of the debris we had to blow off of this Tile Roof.

We are perfectionists when it comes to cleaning tile roofs, as you can see by the bottom picture. This roof will look even better, after it has had the benefit of a few rains. But you can still see all the edges of the tiles and the ridge caps are all nice and clean, for the holidays. Our customer was a very nice lady, who plans to have her large family over for Thanksgiving.

She has used us to clean her flat tile roof before, over 5 years ago. Tampa Palms was sending out “clean your roof or else” letters, and our trucks were cleaning other homes, on her street.

That’s how she found us, and she remembered us, all these years!

Though we are number one for almost any Tampa Tile Roof Cleaning Search, most of our business comes from happy customers we cleaned years ago like this one, who remember us, and tell their friends.

Tampa Palms Barrel Tile Roof Cleaned 8-13-2003

Here is one we just cleaned a few days ago in the Reserve at Tampa Palms.

CAM00003

This was a 5000 sq ft barrel tile roof, with a 3 car garage. It cleaned up really nice, and it has the beautiful (when they are clean) glazed ceramic barrel tiles.
Glazed Ceramic Tile Roofs are not a place for a beginner!
They are extremely slippery during the non pressure tile roof cleaning process, from all the soap.
Plus, as can be seen, this home did not have many gutters, so the run off of the tile roof cleaning chemical had to be dealt with.

The owner of this home in Tampa Palms is a well known Tampa Radiologist (A Doctor).
He saw us smoking cigarettes, and gave us a lecture!
Of course, the Doctor is correct, and we are all trying to quit smoking!

This job came out beautifully, the Doctor is happy, and he submitted our invoice to the Tampa Palms Homeowners Association, as proof he complied with the roof cleaning letter he received.
Call us at 813 655 877 for a free estimate, if you need us.

A Good Roof Cleaning Article

Here is a really good roof cleaning article that was partially written by our good friend Marcus Raif of Katy Memorial Roof Cleaning in Texas who’s worked as a roofing contractor for a significant amount of time. Marcus is a fellow member of the Roof Cleaning Institute Of America, and is also an RCIA Certified Roof Cleaner.

Think You Need a New Roof? A Cleaning Instead Might Do

Patti Hollingshead thought she needed a new roof.

The Pittsburgh resident’s roof was covered with moss and black streaks.

“It looked terrible,” Hollingshead said. “It looked like it was in poor condition. We had a roofer look at it but got an astronomical estimate. It was tens of thousands of dollars for a new roof.

Over the past two decades, more homeowners across the U.S. have experienced the very same issues with their roofs as Hollingshead. Gloeocapsa magma, a type of bacteria that presents as the black streaks, is the culprit.

“About 15 years ago, in the manufacturing process, (fiberglass) roof manufacturers added limestone in the asphalt shingle mix,” explained Brad Iannacchione from Orezona roofing in Corvallis. “That’s what (the bacteria) enjoys eating.”

Though there’s no demonstrated proof that the bacterium is harmful to roofs, industry experts say it can lead to premature rotting of the shingles if left untreated. Plus, the appearance of those streaks can lower a home’s value if you’re trying to sell it. In an effort to curtail unnecessary roof replacement, some insurance companies are even making it a requirement homeowners have their roofs cleaned, or risk losing their policy. A professional roof cleaning will usually rid those black streaks for five years or longer.

“The biggest reason is aesthetics, as far as making sure your house looks nice again and clean,” Raif said. “(Plus), the black on the roof raises the attic temperatures within the house. It can reduce your electric bills by reducing the heating of your attic by getting rid of the black streaks.”

Both Iannacchione and Marcus Raif of Katy Memorial Services in Katy, Texas, recommend a non-pressurized cleaning as the most effective method for removing the black streaks.

“You’ll blow the granules off an asphalt roof” with pressure washing, Raif said.

 

“The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association recommends you don’t use any pressure whatsoever on the roof.”

The “soft-wash” method using a chlorine-based chemical wash is the best way homeowners should go for a roof cleaning, both experts say.

We don’t use any more pressure than a garden hose to spray our cleaning solution on the roof. “By the time we leave, the roof is 99 percent clean. The other 1 percent will be gone after the first rain. A lot of times, homeowners themselves will get up there with the pressure washer, and frankly, it works. It will take care of those black streaks. Unfortunately, those folks just ruined their roofs, in my opinion, because there are a lot of different granules and little stones on the shingles. I’ve talked to a lot of different roofing manufacturers, and it will actually void the warranty that homeowner has for the roof.”

Before hiring a company to clean, you could try them out yourself or ask about the method the technicians will use. Raif said he’s certified by the Roof Cleaning Institute of America. Check that the company carries liability and workers’ compensation insurance, so you’re protected in the event they cause unforeseen damage or someone gets injured on the job. A roof cleaning for homes can range in price from about $250 to $1,000 or more, depending on the size of the home, pitch of the roof and how dirty it is.

If you do decide to have your roof cleaned, be sure the company protects grass, shrubs and flowers from runoff. Both Raif and Iannacchione said their companies always send two technicians to the job; one who applies the cleaner and one who stands on the ground, constantly saturating the grass and plants with water from a hose.

Hollingshead said she noticed an immediate difference after having her roof cleaned and is glad she didn’t pay to replace it.

“They did an absolutely excellent job,” Hollingshead said. “He came out and did the roof in about five hours. It’s absolutely immaculate. It looks like a new roof. The roof was in good condition, but it didn’t show it. But now that it’s cleaned, it really looks like a brand new roof. It saved us tens of thousands of dollars.” go to this company’s website for more details on roofing.

Roof Cleaning Riverview FL

Riverview Florida is a community just south of Tampa, with several deed restricted subdivisions. We do quite a bit of shingle and tile roof cleaning in Riverview. Here are some roofs we have cleaned in the Boyette Springs and Riverglen subdivisions in Riverview. roof cleaning in riverview florida dirty roof being cleaned in riverview florida

shingle roof cleaned in riverview florida
Roof Cleaning in Riverview Florida

All roof cleaning work is done by RCIA Certified Roof Cleaners who are employees of Apple Roof Cleaning, not subcontractors! Unlike most of our competitors offering roof cleaning services in Riverview Florida, we are a real roof cleaning company.  We are not a Pressure Washing Company, Painters, or Yard Guys, who do many things, besides cleaning roofs. In fact, over 80% of our business is roof cleaning, and we have over 20 years of experience. 

RCIA Roof Cleaning Certified Badge

If you need safe, non pressure roof cleaning in Riverview, call us at 813 655 8777 for a free cost estimate.

Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning

No Pressure Washing Roof Cleaning

Here is a short video of our good friend Chuck Bergman using the no pressure washing roof cleaning process on a shingle roof.

Roof Cleaning w/o Pressure Washing

Chuck has over 20 years of Florida roof cleaning experience like we do. He is also an instructor at the roof cleaning institute www.roofcleaninginstitute.org  like we are.

We never us any form of pressure washing on any roof we clean, ever!

 

Non Pressure Roof Cleaning In Tampa

If you are looking for non pressure roof cleaning in Tampa, be aware it is not “all the same”.

We get people calling us (often, our phone rings off the hook) who will say “I have a 2500 sq ft shingle roof in Tampa Palms, and a 2 car garage, so what is your price to clean it”? changing the door might cost a bit, Titan Garage Doors are one of the best to do that.
Though some of these nice, but misinformed people live in homes worth well in excess of 350.000.00, they will shop and shop for roof cleaning services based solely on price, and not the safety of their roofs!
What is gained by saving 50.00 dollars, when the integrity and longevity of your roof is going to be compromised.
Contrary to what you may have been told by well meaning neighbors and friends, strong chemical roof cleaning solutions can remove granules from a shingle roof as well as, or even faster, then pressure cleaning can.

Better Business Bureau

A dangerous method of so called “non pressure roof cleaning in tampa” involves spraying pure swimming pool chlorine onto your roof !
This will harm your shingles as much, or even more, then pressure washing, and will void your shingle warranty.

Ever see roof shingles curl up, dry out, and fall apart ?
Get your roof cleaned this way, wait a year, and you will.

It can also kill your plants.
We have seen yards look like barren lunar landscapes for months, even years, after just one application.

The right way to clean a shingle or tile roof is to apply a lot of a weak, non pressure roof cleaning solution.

Because some companies lack our equipment, they apply a smaller amount of a dangerously strong toxic chemical solution.

A tiny battery powered pump (check these magnetic drive pump distributors in Mexico), and a small tank are sure signs of this method.
Look at their equipment before you hire them, is it a huge, dedicated to roof cleaning truck with a huge tank and big air powered non pressure roof cleaning pump ?
Or is it simply the small trailer of a weekend warrior part timer, with a small battery powered pump and a small tank.

A small battery powered pump is simply incapable of applying a large enough amount of the weak A.R.M.A approved solution to properly and safely clean your roof.
Dont say we didnt try and warn you.

Our big, dedicated roof cleaning trucks, our unique high volume air powered pumps, and our large tanks are necessary for A.R.M.A compliance.
We use 200- 300 gallons of a safe, A.R.M.A approved solution on an average house, and we often do more than one a day.
This is what it takes to do it right.

Remember, it costs no more to have it done right.
We will meet or beat any written quote for equivalent non pressure roof cleaning, and you will get the peace of mind of knowing it will not void your shingle warranty.

Call Apple Non Pressure Roof Cleaning Tampa at 813 655 8777 for a free estimate…
Why fool around ???

Tile Roof Cleaning New Tampa FL 33647

Apple Tile Roof Cleaning 813 655 8777 are RCIA Certified, and trained in the latest advancements in our Trade.

If you live in any of these New Tampa Communities

 
  • Arbor Greene
  • Cory Lake Isles
  • Cross Creek
  • Easton Park
  • Grand Hampton
  • Heritage Isles
  • Hunter’s Green
  • Kingshyre
  • Live Oak Preserve
  • Meadow Creek
  • Misty Creek
  • Pebble Creek
  • Richmond Place
  • Tampa Palms
  • West Meadows

near Zip Code 33647, and have a Barrel Tile, Flat Tile, Ceramic or Cement Tile, Clay Tile, or a Slate Roof, give us a call for a free consultation and estimate on the cost of cleaning it.

Here is a video we made out of pictures of some of our past Tile Roof Cleaning jobs.

Many of these homes were in New Tampa. Some are in Hunters Green, and some are in Tampa Palms.

All these tile roofs, and the one slate one, were cleaned w/o walking on them, using manlifts.

Every roof we clean is evaluated for both our safety, and if it can be walked on safely, w/o breaking the roof tiles.

Some of these New Tampa Florida area customers received roof cleaning letters from their homeowners associations. Some wanted their tile roofs cleaned for other reasons.