ROOF CLEANING SERVICES
Serving the Charlotte Area
Safe and Effective Roof Soft Washing in Charlotte
Black streaks on your roof?
Something is growing on your roof — and it’s not supposed to be there. Those dark streaks and smudges you’re seeing on asphalt shingles, slate, tile, or metal roofs are incredibly common around Charlotte. Once you notice them, they’re hard to ignore… and you’ll start spotting them on homes, townhomes, churches, and commercial buildings all over the Charlotte area. The problem isn’t your roof’s age either — a roof can be brand-new and still develop streaking.
In most cases, those “black stains” are caused by Gloeocapsa magma, a type of airborne algae that thrives in the warm, humid climate of the Southeast. It doesn’t just show up on roofs — it can also grow on siding, brick, stone, and concrete. And if your property has heavy shade or nearby trees, the growth often spreads faster because moisture lingers longer.
Here in the Greater Charlotte area, our long summers and frequent humidity create the perfect conditions for algae to take hold. Since your roof is exposed to the elements year-round, it becomes an easy target — and over time, that buildup can make your entire home look older and less cared for.
Roofing material we clean in Charlotte
- Asphalt Shingle Roofs
- Concrete and Clay Tile Roofs
- Metal Roofs
- Slate Roofs
Roof contaminants found in Charlotte
Why is roof maintenance essential
Algae and other organic growth typically begins forming on the north-facing side of the roof, where moisture lingers longer, and gradually expands across the entire roof if left untreated.
Algae, moss and lichen aren’t just cosmetic concerns — they can compromise the structural integrity of your roof overtime. Insurance companies are more than ever cracking down on “neglected” roofs. They may require roof cleaning to maintain coverage or approve policy renewal. If an inspector identifies algae, moss, lichen, or heavy organic buildup, they may flag the roof as a maintenance risk.
To perform as intended, a roof must remain clean and free of organic growth and debris. When organic growth is allowed to accumulate, it traps moisture, accelerates deterioration, and can compromise the roofing system over time. It is easy to understand why an insurance company would require your roof to be cleaned periodically if failure to do so is considered neglect and can cause structural damage.
While they may seem pretty harmless, moss and lichens hold moisture directly on top of the roofing material. As moss grows in size, it can cause shingles to move and lift from their original position. This allows moisture to penetrate below the roof covering causing wood rot, mildew and mold growth that could compromise the entire structure of the roof. By holding moisture against the roof surface, lichens and moss speed up the wear of asphalt shingles and in freezing temperatures, will increase the frost damage to the mineral granite coating on shingles.
Damages caused by organic growth on roofs
Premature aging
Algae, moss, and lichen trap moisture against shingles and tiles. Over time, this constant moisture accelerates shingle breakdown, promotes rot, and shortens the overall lifespan of the roof. Routine professional cleaning removes these damaging contaminants before they cause permanent harm.
Water intrusion
Moss and heavy organic build up can lift and separate shingles. Once the roof covering is compromised, high winds and heavy rain can more easily penetrate the roof system leading to water damage.
Asphalt shingle damage
Algea feeds on the limestone filler and minerals found within asphalt shingles. As the colonies grow, they contribute to premature shingle aging, granular loss, and reduced reflectivity. This loss of reflectivity causes a roof to absorb more heat, which can drive up indoor temperatures and increase cooling costs.
A professional roof cleaning for your Charlotte property solves these problems safely and effectively. With the proper soft wash process, organic growth is eliminated at the root — restoring your roof’s appearance while protecting its materials.
Our Charlotte roof cleaning process
Safely restore the appearance of your roof
The right way to professionally clean a roof is with a low-pressure soft wash process. Soft washing uses a precise measured blend of water, algicide, and surfactant applied to roofing material to eliminate algae, moss, and lichen at the root level — where the problem begins. Cleaning a roof responsibly requires training, experience, and the right equipment. Roof cleaning often involves applying solution to first, second, and sometimes third-story rooflines using tall ladders. Because organic growth can be stubborn and deeply embedded, precise application is critical.
Our technicians take extensive precautions to protect your landscaping, siding, windows, and surrounding surfaces. Applying too much solution or over spraying can damage vegetation or discolor certain materials. That’s why Bluewhale Powerwash follows strict application standards and uses professional techniques to ensure effective results without unnecessary risk. For added safety, our technicians wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) during every roof cleaning service.
What's including with our professional roof cleaning service?
- Protect landscaping and water plants as needed during the cleaning process (vegetation protection protocol)
- Blow debris off roof (branches, leaves and dirt) if roof is walkable (9/12 pitch or lower)
- Apply biodegradable roof cleaning solution to remove algae, moss and lichen
- Repeat treatment as needed if there is substantial organic build up
- Final rinse as needed on metal roofs only
- Spot treatment as needed within one week of orginal treatment if left over organic growth is present
A clean roof will not only look better, newer and improve the curb appeal of your home, it will also help your roof perform better by eliminating contaminants that can destroy the lining of shingles, rotten debris that can attract wood eating insects and plug your gutters and organic growth that can cause health problems, moisture infiltration and surface decay.
Bluewhale Powerwash is a licensed and insured professional roof cleaning company serving Charlotte and nearby areas.
- Removes ugly stains caused by algae, residue, mildew and mold, as well as bird droppings and other organic and inorganic debris;
- Prolongs the life and preserves the structural integrity of your roof by removing and slowing the return of unwanted organic growths like moss and lichens that cause water infiltration, wood decay and structural damage;
- Transforms the look of your home almost instantly by freshen up your roof;
- Improves the curb appeal of your home immediately.
Cost of roof cleaning
The cost of roof cleaning in the Charlotte area varies based on several key factors, including the size of your roof, ease of access, roofing material, and the level of organic growth present. In many cases, only certain sections of the roof require treatment rather than the entire surface.
Most residential roof cleaning estimates can be completed remotely using advanced property-measurement software and publicly available data. For complex roof designs and commercial properties, an on-site visit may be scheduled to ensure accurate pricing. All estimates are free, fast, and no-obligation.
To get started with professional roof cleaning in Charlotte, call Bluewhale Powerwash at (704) 272-4726 or click below to request your free quote online.
FAQ
Yes, our roof cleaning estimates are free. We serve Charlotte and the surrounding areas.
Bluewhale Powerwash cleans a variety of roofing materials including asphalt shingle, concrete and clay tile, slate and metal roofs.
Yes. Bluewhale Powerwash roof cleaning methods are safe and field tested for all roof types. We use low pressure (soft wash) to apply the proper blend of water, algicide and surfactant to roofing materials using less than 100psi. Our cleaning solution is designed to treat algae, moss and lichen safely.
Yes. Bluewhale Powerwash cleans both residential and commercial roofs, including flat roofs, in the Greater Charlotte area.
Yes absolutely! Having your roof professionally cleaned by a company like Bluewhale Powerwash is the best way to ensure your roof looks its best while maximizing its lifespan by removing unwanted organic growth from its surface. Organic growth on roofing material surfaces like algae, moss and lichen can produce excessive moisture and compromise the integrity of your roof.
We only use soft washing equipment to clean roofs. Soft washing involves the use of soaps, approved algicides and water to gently remove staining and organic growth while using low pressure. Low pressure washing or soft washing avoids damages that would result from washing with high pressure while achieving superior results.
Yes! Bluewhale Powerwash warranties its work against defects in workmanship for a period of one year from the performance of work.
It depends on how much shade and how many trees are close to your home. On average, the results from our our roof cleaning service should last between 3 to 5 years.
Bluewhale Powerwash uses formulas to determine the cost of the roof washing service. The cost to wash a roof is based on the size of the roof (square feet), the roofing material (shingles, tile, metal, etc…) and the complexity of the work (one-story home, two-story, complex roof structure, etc…), as well as how dirty a roof is. Washing the roof of a two-story home will cost more per square foot than the cost per square foot to wash the roof of a ranch style home.