Stratus Soft Wash
It's an algae, not a stain
Gloeocapsa magma is a cyanobacteria. It arrives airborne, settles on the north and shaded slopes first, and spreads downward in streaks because rain carries the spores with it.
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Those black streaks are alive, and they're eating your roof
Gloeocapsa magma feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles. It comes off chemically, at no pressure, without anyone dragging a wand across your granules. Gutters can go on the same visit.
Rather not talk? Text a photo of the roof and we'll tell you what you're looking at.
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What's actually growing up there
Most people assume the streaks are dirt, or think the roof is simply old and needs replacing. Usually neither is true.
It feeds on your shingles
Asphalt shingles contain limestone filler. The algae uses it. As the colony grows it holds moisture against the mat, which shortens the life of the shingle rather than just uglifying it.
A dark roof runs hotter
The colony darkens the surface, which absorbs more heat. That pushes attic temperatures up and works against whatever insulation you paid for.
Moss is a different problem
Moss has structure and roots into the seams. It lifts shingle edges and holds standing water. It needs treating, and then it needs time to die and weather off — scraping it wet takes granules with it.
Lichen is the stubborn one
Those tight grey-green crusts bond directly to the granule surface. It responds to treatment but often needs a second application, and we'll say so upfront rather than promising one visit.
Send a photo of the roof and we'll tell you whether it's algae, moss, lichen or genuinely worn out. That last answer is free too.
Price my roofWhy nobody should pressure wash a roof
This is the single most expensive mistake in exterior cleaning, and it's still being sold as roof cleaning across South Jersey.
- Granules are the roof. That ceramic layer is what blocks UV and keeps the asphalt from drying out. Blast it off and you have taken years off the shingle in an afternoon.
- It voids warranties. Shingle manufacturers specify no-pressure cleaning methods. Pressure washing is grounds for denying a warranty claim on a roof that is otherwise still covered.
- Water goes the wrong way. A pressure tip aimed up a slope drives water under the courses and into the deck. You find out months later, from the ceiling.
- It leaves the colony anyway. Stripping the visible layer doesn't kill what's rooted in the surface. It looks clean, then streaks again within a season or two.
How the visit goes
Beds get soaked
Plants, shrubs and lawn along the drip line get watered down first. Wet foliage dilutes anything that runs off, which is the actual protection.
Treatment goes on
Applied at low pressure from a ladder or a pole. Nobody walks the field of your roof if it can be reached without, because foot traffic on hot shingles does its own damage.
It dwells and works
The treatment kills the organism. The roof starts lightening while we're there and keeps clearing over the following weeks as rain carries the dead growth off.
Rinse and check the gutters
Runoff carries debris into the gutters, so they get flushed. If they were already full, that's the moment to just do them properly.
Roof types we treat
Each one takes a different mix and a different expectation of how fast it clears.
Before and after
This is what treating the algae looks like rather than blasting it. Same shingles, same granules, no pressure went near them.
Do the gutters while we're up there
Gutter cleaning isn't really a separate job. The debris in them came off the roof, we already have the access, and roof runoff pushes more down as we rinse. Booking it separately means paying twice for the same ladder.
- Hand-cleaned, not blown out. Debris comes out and goes in a bag. Blowing it over the side just relocates the problem into your beds and onto the patio.
- Downspouts flushed and checked. A clear gutter feeding a blocked downspout still overflows. We run water through every one and confirm it comes out the bottom.
- The black stripes come off too. Those vertical tiger stripes on the gutter faces are oxidised road film and roof runoff. A house wash doesn't touch them — they need a separate scrub, which is why so many clean houses still have dirty-looking gutters.
- We tell you what we find. Loose spikes, bad pitch, separated seams, rot behind the fascia. We don't do gutter repair, but you should hear about it from the person who was just up there.
What people say about working with us
Roof work means trusting someone on your property with a ladder and a chemical.
I just switched from another provider to Stratus Cleaning and have been remarkably impressed. This company is well run, has polite, and Extremely talented employees! While I was not necessarily dissatisfied with my former company; I’m glad I made the switch to a top shelf quality company.
A very professional service and extremely hardworking crew with integrity and honesty! We highly recommend Stratus Cleaning!
Wonderful superb experience with extremely meticulous and thorough job. Professional attitude and reasonable prices. Would highly recommend. Adam is a pleasure to work with.
We had a deep clean done and by golly they did a pretty thorough job. Adam made sure to inform me every step of the way so that was super helpful, he asked questions when he wanted to clarify something and they did what I asked. So I’m going to use them again.
Sort the streaks before they cost you shingles
Algae feeds on the shingle itself, so this one gets more expensive the longer it waits. Quotes take about ten minutes.
Questions about roof washing
Including where we work and what else we clean, since most people book two things at once.
How much does a roof wash cost?
It comes down to the footprint, the pitch, the access and how far gone the growth is. A single-story ranch is a different job from a three-story shore home with dormers. You get a flat number before we book.
How long until it looks clean?
You'll see a real change the same day, but a roof keeps clearing for two to six weeks afterward as rain carries the dead algae off. Anyone promising a perfectly uniform roof the moment they pack up is either using pressure or overselling.
How long before the streaks come back?
Typically three to five years. Shaded slopes and heavily treed lots come back sooner. Shore properties vary more because of humidity.
Will it hurt my shingles or my plants?
Not at no pressure. The granules stay where they are, which is the whole reason we don't use a pressure washer up there. Beds get soaked before and after so runoff is diluted.
Do I need a new roof instead?
Sometimes, and we'll tell you. Streaking is cosmetic and biological. Curling, cupping, bald patches and missing tabs are structural, and washing those doesn't buy you anything. We'd rather lose the job than take money for a roof that needs a roofer.
Can you do the gutters at the same time?
Yes, and it's the cheapest way to buy either one. Same access, same visit. See the gutter section above.
Should I get gutter guards?
They cut how often gutters need doing, but nothing eliminates it — fine grit and shingle granules still get through, and guards make the eventual clean-out slower. If you have pine or oak overhead, guards are usually worth it. Otherwise it's a wash.
How far do you travel for a roof wash?
Roof work is our widest radius, because it's a bigger job and worth the drive. Here's where we regularly go.
Gloucester and Camden counties
- Mullica Hill
- Sewell
- Mantua Township
- Glassboro
- Pitman
- Woolwich Township
- Swedesboro
- Cherry Hill
- Haddonfield
- Collingswood
Cape May and Atlantic counties
- Avalon
- Stone Harbor
- Sea Isle City
- Ocean City
- Margate
- Ventnor
- Longport
- Brigantine
Further out than that? Ask. For a full roof we'll travel further than we would for a driveway. Send the address and we'll confirm.
What else do you handle on the outside of a house?
Everything the weather touches. Roof runoff is what dirties gutters and streaks siding, so those three tend to need doing around the same time.
- House washingSiding, soffits, trim, downspouts
- Window cleaningInside, outside, screens, tracks
- Gutter cleaningAdd-on to any roof wash
- Pressure washingDriveways, patios, decks, concrete
- Commercial cleaningStorefronts, offices, apartments
Roof and gutters together is the obvious pairing. Roof and siding is the one that actually changes how a house looks from the street.
Want an honest read on whether the roof needs washing or replacing? That's a free conversation either way.
Call (215) 605-1017Get a roof washing quote
A photo of the worst slope tells us more than a description. Send one and you'll get a straight answer today. Or skip the form and call (215) 605-1017.
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