Roof Cleaning in Ann Arbor
Serving Ypsilanti, Saline and Washtenaw County
Simply Amazing LLC has been cleaning roofs across Washtenaw County since 2016. Low pressure and a cleaning solution, never force, for the moss, algae, mold and black streaks common on Michigan roofs. Every quote is free.
Those Black Streaks Are Not Dirt
The dark streaks running down your roof are a common organism called Gloeocapsa magma, and it is everywhere in this part of Michigan. It feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles, which is why the streaks run downward with the water. It is not dirt, it will not weather off, and it spreads a little further every damp season.
Moss
Moss is the other half of the problem. It holds moisture against the shingle instead of letting it dry, and it almost always means a shaded, damp roof. If your roof has moss on it, look at what is hanging over it. Trimming back overhanging branches is usually the difference between a roof that stays clean and one that is green again in two years.
Why We Clean Roofs at
Low Pressure
Shingles are protected by a layer of granules bonded to the surface, and those granules are what stands between your roof and the sun. High pressure takes them off. You can’t see it happening from the ground, but the shingles hit the end of their life years early.
So we don’t use force on a roof. We apply a cleaning solution, give it time to work, and rinse at low pressure. That lifts the growth out of the surface instead of stripping the top layer off, which is why the roof comes clean and stays that way far longer. Heavy moss loosens over the following weeks and releases on its own rather than being torn off with the granules attached. Home protection is our top priority.
What Is Included
A walk around the property and a look at the roof before we start
Moss, algae, mold and black streaking removed from the shingles
Low pressure throughout, adjusted to work with the age of the roof
Plants, shrubs and beds pre-wetted and rinsed afterward
Anything we notice up there, like a lifting shingle, photographed and shown to you
A final walk around with you before we leave
When to Clean a Roof in Michigan
Any time from spring through fall. A fall cleaning means the roof goes into winter without moss holding water against the shingles through every freeze and thaw. Most roofs in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Saline need this every three to five years, and heavily shaded roofs come around faster.
What It Costs
Pricing: Roof cleaning is quoted after we have looked at the roof. Pitch, height, the amount of moss, the age of the shingles, and how much of the roof sits in shade all move the number enough that we would rather see it than guess.
Send us your address and a photo or two from the ground and we can usually tell you what it needs. If your roof is close enough to the end of its life that cleaning it is not worth your money, we will tell you that instead of selling it to you.
Common Questions
How do I get moss off my roof?
Not with a pressure washer. Moss is removed with a low pressure application that loosens it so it releases and weathers away over the following weeks, because blasting it off takes the shingle granules with it. Moss usually means a shaded, damp roof, so it comes back unless the overhanging branches are dealt with as well.
What causes the black streaks on my roof?
Those streaks are an organism called Gloeocapsa magma, and they are extremely common on Michigan roofs. It feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles, which is why the streaks run downward with the water. It is not dirt and it will not weather off, so it has to be cleaned off with low pressure and the right solution.
Will roof cleaning damage my shingles?
Not the way we do it. Damage on a roof comes from pressure, and we clean with a solution and a low pressure rinse instead. High pressure is what strips granules and shortens the life of a roof, which is exactly why we don’t use it up there.
How long does roof cleaning last?
A properly cleaned roof in this climate usually stays clear for three to five years. A roof under heavy tree cover will go sooner, and one that gets good sun will often go longer.
Get a Free Quote
Serving Washtenaw County
We clean roofs across Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Saline, and travel to Canton, Dexter, Whitmore Lake, Milan, Chelsea, Manchester, Belleville, Northville, Plymouth, Novi and other nearby communities. Simply Amazing LLC is fully insured and open seven days a week, 8am to 6pm.