Tampa, FL's heat, humidity, and frequent rain make roof algae (Gloeocapsa magma) very common. We see those black streaks faster here than almost anywhere else in the country; in fact, you'll often see them in just 1–3 years on a new roof. Here's our straightforward schedule to protect your shingles: How Often Should You Schedule Roof Cleaning to Prevent Algae Streaks? If you're in South Florida, clean that roof every 12–18 months. The intense year-round humidity, regular afternoon thunderstorms, and our salty air create nonstop algae food. If you've waited until the streaks appear to get a cleaning, you might need switch to annual cleaning until preventive treatments build up some protection. If you're in Central Florida, plan on a cleaning at least every 18–24 months. Conditions in some areas are slightly less brutal than in the south, but lake-effect moisture and oak shade still push aggressive growth. And in North Florida, cooler winters may slow things a bit, but summer monsoons and pine trees keep the algae thriving. Plan on getting a cleaning every two years or so, but be ready in case it has to happen once a year. If your roof already shows black streaks longer than a couple of feet, green moss in the valleys, or you're seeing heavy granule loss in your gutters, book a cleaning immediately. Waiting even one more rainy season is going to let those organisms burrow ever deeper and lift your shingles. The Process First, we'll soft-wash your roof with low pressure and ARMA-approved biodegradable algaecides that are safe for Florida plants and pets. Pressure washing is a no-go, as it strips the granules and can void the warranties on roofs from GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed, so don't be tempted to try that yourself! Our treatment kills spores on contact and leaves a residual that slows algae regrowth for 2–4 years. We'll also add a treatment specifically to stop algae growth. You might also consider adding zinc or replacing zinc/copper strips along the ridge of your roof, which can then carry metal ions down the slope with every rain. The point of those is to poison new spores before they can colonize. What Happens When You Skip Cleanings? Your asphalt roof is typically going to be rated for 20–30 years, but if you've got unchecked algae, you can cut that time to 10–15 years, no question. Algae traps moisture and overheats the shingles, which means they crack much more quickly. A professional cleaning is just a tiny fraction of the cost of a full tear-off and replacement, so it's a no-brainer. Talk to Us Today About Your Tampa, FL Roof Cleaning If you're seeing the first streaks, get things cleaned right now! After that initial deep clean, plan on getting the roof cleaned every 1 to 2 years, depending on where exactly you live and the kind of tree cover you have. Call us now at Revive My Roof in Tampa, Jacksonville, or Orlando so we can do an inspection and take the best approach. We also take care of roofs in Dallas and Detroit!

Can roof rejuvenation make your old Detroit, MI roof shingles last longer? The good news is: absolutely. On average, you can get about five more years of life per application and up to 15 years with repeated treatments and regular roof maintenance, provided the roof is still structurally sound and not severely damaged. How Roof Rejuvenation Adds Years to Your Roof Asphalt shingles naturally lose their petrochemical oils over time. This is because they're constantly exposed to harsh UV rays from the sun, heat, bad weather, and the temperature fluctuations of winter and summer. As these oils are lost, the shingles get brittle and lose those granules that are the protective coating on top. So it makes sense that if you can find a way to restore some of the oils, you can extend the life of the roof. That's exactly what roof rejuvenation is all about. It's a specialized spray treatment where you put plant-based oils onto the shingles to protect them. The Process: The basic process of rejuvenation follows these steps: Inspection Cleaning Application First, we come and inspect the roof to make sure it's eligible for this treatment. Unfortunately, if the roof has already suffered extensive damage and the shingles are too far gone, it might not be appropriate to add a rejuvenation treatment. Assuming the roof is eligible, we would then clean off all debris, moss, and algae to make sure that the surface of the shingles is ready to properly absorb the treatment. To apply it, we use a low-pressure spray to evenly apply the rejuvenating oils to the shingles. The low pressure is important so the rejuvenator can penetrate deeply into the layers, which happens over hours. As it penetrates, it restores the lost oils and resin in the shingles and makes them more flexible. It also seals up micro-cracks, helps the granules stay stuck to the shingles, and makes them more weather resistant overall. The Results The first result you'll notice is that your whole roof will look darker and more uniform. That's because the oils have restored a fresh look. But looks don't mean much in themselves: the real benefit is that the shingles become immediately more pliable and waterproof, and the rejuvenation costs way less than a full replacement. When Rejuvenation Doesn't Work A rejuvenation treatment is not a miracle cure for roofs that actually need to be replaced. If you have significant leaks, serious curling, or have lost too many granules off the shingles, the rejuvenation treatment is going to help a little bit, but it will only delay your replacement by a very short time and ultimately means you'll be paying for a new roof, plus the treatment. The rejuvenation treatment is most valuable on roofs that are 10 to 15 years old and that are starting to dry out but are otherwise in good shape. Rejuvenation and Roof Maintenance in Detroit, MI For all things roof, including rejuvenation treatments, talk to us at Revive My Roof today. We restore and protect roofs in Detroit, Dallas, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Nashville, and Richmond.

It's no secret we get a lot of rain here in Orlando, FL, and algae and lichen both thrive in our warm and moist environment. These can quickly turn your shingles ugly and steal from your home's curb appeal, and they also can shorten the lifespan of your roof. Regular roof cleaning will take care of this problem and help you get the most out of your roof investment. Safe Roof Cleaning Methods for Algae and Lichen on Orlando, FL Homes Avoid These Common Mistakes Unfortunately, too many homeowners grab a pressure washer to get rid of grime and algae. This is actually a recipe for disaster if you've got asphalt shingles. The intense force of a pressure washer blows away the granules in your shingles that protect them from UV rays and rain. In some cases, you might even blast shingles right off, but even if that doesn't happen, destroying the integrity of the shingles means they will fade faster, start cracking, and begin leaking long before they should. Another big mistake to avoid is using the wrong cleaner, like undiluted bleach or anything with strong acid. This is especially dangerous for corroding the flashing and valleys but can also damage the shingles themselves. And again, if you go scrubbing with a brush, you risk gouging the surface of the shingle and pulling off granules that your shingles need for protection. Proven Safe Methods The gold standard for removing algae and lichen is soft washing, which is a low-pressure technique where we use a specialized cleaning solution to gently lift and kill growths. Unlike power washing, which blasts water at your roof at thousands of PSI, soft washing only uses 500 PSI or less and relies on the specially formulated chemistry of the cleaning mix to do the real work. Doing It Safely We always recommend getting professional cleaning services for your roof. Not only can we offer proven methods that are safe for your roof and the environment, but we also know how to stay safe ourselves up there and have all the necessary tools and equipment. Falls from a roof are killers, and they're very common when people try to do DIY roof projects. Adding liquid into the mix also makes the roof slick, which only makes it more likely that you'll have an accident. Prevention Tips Once we've cleaned your roof, there are some ways that you can prevent this problem from getting bad again. First, we can install zinc or copper strips along the ridges of the roof. These will release ions during the rain that will go down onto the roof and inhibit the growth of algae and lichen naturally. We also recommend that you trim any overhanging branches that are keeping parts of your roof in constant shade. You can also get algae-resistant shingles the next time you replace your roof, and getting inspections twice a year will allow you to catch issues early and make cleaning faster and cheaper. If you've got unwanted growth on your roof, contact us now at Revive My Roof. We serve clients in Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tampa, FL; Detroit, MI; Dallas, TX, Richmond, VA; and Nashville, TN and surrounding areas.