Clearing Up the Myths about Northern Virginia Roof Cleaning

roofrealclean — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 16:14:58 +0000

There is a lot of misinformation and confusion about how to properly clean a roof, especially since it’s a relatively new industry. The experts at ROOF REAL CLEAN would like to clear up some of the myths about roof cleaning. The truth is there is really only one safe way to remove unsightly black stains and streaks on your roof.

Northern Virginia Roof Stains Caused by Gloeocapsa Magna

The black streaks and stains often seen on dirty roofs are caused by a hardy type of algae known as Gloeocapsa Magma. This type of algae growth has airborne spores that land on your shingles and spread quickly. Gloeocapsa Magma feeds on the limestone contained in your roof shingles along with moisture and must be killed with the proper chemicals, or it will grow back.

Roof Algae Uses Your Roof As Food

The black streaks and stains from algae growing on your Northern Virginia roof is not just a cosmetic issue that can be ignored. Roof algae will use your roof as FOOD and if not removed, it will eventually cause premature granule loss of your shingle, deterioration and shorten the lifespan of your roof.

Why You Should Maintain Your Northern Virginia Roof

Shingle granules are intended to deflect UV rays and heat away from your roof surface. However, if your roof is covered in algae or the granules are eaten away by algae infestation, you will have higher AC bills, let alone have to replace your roof prematurely. Maintaining your Northern Virginia roof by having it cleaned by a professional roof cleaning service such as ROOF REAL CLEAN makes sense when you consider the thousands of dollars it will cost you to replace it.

Low Pressure Wash Roof Cleaning

You never want to power wash the algae off your roof because it can damage the integrity of our shingle, causing granule loss. Blasting your roof with 2000 PSI may remove some of the stains, but it will also remove some of your roof in the process. High pressure is never a good idea!

At ROOF REAL CLEAN, we NEVER use high pressure when cleaning a roof. We use a low pressure rinse along with a bio-degradable roof shampoo that won’t harm your shingle or the surrounding vegetation around your home. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) recommends that roof shingles be cleaned with a low pressure wash chemical method– never high pressure!

Don’t Get “Sold” on a New Roof

Often, the dingiest dirtiest roofs are simply in need of a professional roof cleaning and are returned back to their original luster. Unfortunately, many folks get “sold” on a new roof, when all they really needed was a roof cleaning by a professional roof cleaning company such as ROOF REAL CLEAN of Northern Virginia.

ROOF REAL CLEAN – Northern Virginia’s ‘Premier’ Roof Cleaning Company

We are in the business of making our customers happy and that is why ROOF REAL CLEAN has become Northern Virginia’s ‘premier’ roof cleaning company.

We service the following Northern Virginia cities:

Fairfax Station, VA roof cleaning
Falls Church, VA roof cleaning
Annandale , VA roof cleaning
Fairfax, VA roof cleaning
Springfield, VA roof cleaning
Oakton, VA roof cleaning
Vienna, VA roof cleaning
Burke, VA roof cleaning
Centreville, VA roof cleaning
Mclean, VA roof cleaning
Clifton, VA roof cleaning
Alexandria, VA roof cleaning
Arlington, VA roof cleaning

At ROOF REAL CLEAN we offer a roof maintenance program and a one year warranty on our roof cleaning services. For a FREE roof cleaning quote, give us a call today at (703) 973-1619 – Be sure and ask for “Paulo.”

We Strive for Excellence and Customer Satisfaction!

The Truth About Black Streaks & Stains on Your Roof

roofrealclean — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:34:19 +0000

At ROOF REAL CLEAN, we have heard a wide variety of explanations for roof black streaks and stains, including ”chimney smoke settling,” “cracked acorns,” “tree sap,” “shingle weathering” and so on. One “creative” roofer even told a homeowner who lived near an airport that the black streaks and stains on her roof were the result of “fuel dropping from the sky.” None of these answers are true. Most roofs in need of a roof cleaning have roof algae growing on them. Black streaking is caused by ’living algae’ known as Gloeocapsa Magma.

Roof staining is a relatively new occurrence. Cutting back your tree or discontinuing the use of your fireplace will not prevent roof black streaks & Stains or correct an existing problem. Algae spores are air-borne and are carried by the wind from house to house. Algae grows in visible colonies when all the right elements are present, including:

Limestone (Algae food)
Humidity (Moisture)
Sunlight

Why Some Roofs Have Roof Algae Growth and Others Don’t

The reason that some roofs have roof algae growth in the same neighborhood and some don’t is mainly due to the amount of sunlight hitting the roof. If a roof gets a lot of sun, the colonies burn up. It a roof gets minimum sunlight the colonies are unable to grow. Even the same roof can have some parts with roof algae growth and other parts with no growth at all.

Roof Moss is Dangerous to Your Roof

Roof moss is more dangerous as it will grow beneath the roof shingle, acting like a sponge after a good rain. If roof moss is not removed by a professional roof cleaner, eventually it can break down the shingle and cause roof leaks. Roof moss tends to build up on the North side of a home or where a roof is shaded for most of the day.

Why You Need To a Professional Roof Cleaner

It is important that you have a roof cleaning professional remove roof moss or roof algae if you see it growing on your shingles. Roof algae and roof moss feed on the organic matter contained in your shingle. The growth will break down the asphalt shingle causing the ceramic granules protecting the surface of the shingle to loosen and fall off, which causes the shingle to deteriorate prematurely.

If not treated, roof moss and roof algae growth will reduce the life of your roof, not to mention how unsightly roof streaks and stains diminish your home’s ‘curb appeal.’

Cleaning Your Roof the Right Way

We are trained professionals at Roof Real Clean. We never use high pressure on your roof because it can damage your shingles. We clean your roof with low pressure rinse along with a bio-degradable and eco-friendly roof shampoo. Our roof cleaning products are gentle on your roof, yet tough on removing unsightly streaks, stains, algae and moss. Don’t make the same mistake many homeowners make and have your roof pressure washed by someone who doesn’t know what they are doing.

ROOF REAL CLEAN will never:

Use high pressure to clean your roof
Force water under the shingle
Scrub the roof with a harsh brush
Dump bleach over the shingles

Northern Virginia Roof Cleaning

ROOF REAL CLEAN offers low pressure wash roof cleaning services in the following Northern Virginia Fairfax County cities:

Fairfax, VA roof cleaning services
Fairfax Station, VA roof cleaning services
Falls Church, VA roof cleaning services
Springfield, VA roof cleaning services
Annandale , VA roof cleaning services
Oakton, VA roof cleaning services
Mclean, VA roof cleaning services
Vienna, VA roof cleaning services
Centreville, VA roof cleaning services
Burke, VA roof cleaning services
Clifton, VA roof cleaning services
Arlington, VA roof cleaning services
Alexandria, VA roof cleaning services

For a FREE roof cleaning estimate or for more information, please give ROOF REAL CLEAN a call today at (703) 973-1619 . Don’t forget to ask for “Paulo.”

Roof Real Clean Fairfax County Northern Virginia Roof Cleaning » Roof Algae