Roof cleaning and moss removal that protects the roof.
Moss, black streaks and lichen hold water against your roof and quietly shorten its life. We remove them at the root with low-pressure soft washing — never a pressure washer on shingles, never a stripped surface. Burlingame, Millbrae, Hillsborough, San Mateo and the whole Peninsula.
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Soft wash roof cleaning across the Peninsula — moss, algae and lichen removed at the root, never blasted off.
Why Peninsula roofs need soft washing.
The Peninsula's shade, coastal fog, and heavy tree canopy create near-perfect conditions for moss, algae, and lichen. On a roof, that growth isn't cosmetic. Moss holds moisture against shingles and tile, works into the seams, and lifts material over time. Lichen roots into the surface itself.
High pressure will strip that growth off — along with the granules that protect asphalt shingles, and often the seal on tile. That's why we soft wash: low pressure, biodegradable detergent, and enough dwell time to kill the growth at the root rather than just blast the surface clean.
Done properly, results last 2–3 years, not one rainy season. We work on composition shingle, concrete and clay tile, slate, and wood shake, and we protect the landscaping underneath before a drop hits the roof.
Green, black, or fuzzy? Here’s what it actually is.
Black streaks running down a composition shingle roof are a bacteria (Gloeocapsa magma) feeding on the limestone in the shingles. They start on the north side, spread downhill with the rain, and no amount of sun burns them off.
Green roof is moss. It shows up first in the shaded valleys and along the edges under trees, then holds water like a sponge against the roof, lifts shingles and works into the seams. On tile it grows in the overlaps and stains the surface.
Grey or white crusty patches are lichen — a fungus-and-algae combination that roots into the shingle or tile itself. Pull it off dry and it takes the surface with it. It has to be killed first, then released.
All three come off the same way: a low-pressure detergent application, enough dwell time to kill the growth at the root, and a gentle rinse. We clean composition shingle, concrete and clay tile, cedar shake, slate and flat roofs, and we protect the landscaping underneath before a drop hits the roof. If your insurance company flagged the roof, we photograph it before and after and give you a written service record.
Four services.
Obsessively executed.
Common roof calls across the Peninsula: moss removal on shaded north-facing slopes, lichen treatment on tile, pre-solar-install cleaning, and full roof-and-gutter packages after the rainy season.
Roof Cleaning & Moss Removal
Moss, algae, lichen and the black streaks on shingle, tile and cedar roofs — removed at the root with low-pressure soft washing. Never a pressure washer on a roof.
- Moss, algae & black streak removal
- Tile, shingle, cedar & slate
- Insurance roof notices
House Washing
Exterior house washing for stucco, wood, Hardie and painted siding. Green algae, black mildew and roofline grime gone — the result of a power wash without the damage.
- Stucco & siding cleaning
- Mildew, algae & cobweb removal
- Add exterior windows
Driveway & Patio Pressure Washing
Hot-water pressure washing that lifts oil, algae, moss and years of grime from concrete, brick, pavers, exposed aggregate and stone — without stripping the surface.
- Driveways & walkways
- Patios, decks & pool decks
- Brick & paver restoration
Gutter Cleaning
Gutters cleared by hand, every downspout flushed until it runs clear, and a look at the hardware for sagging, pulled spikes or separated seams. Book before the rains.
- Full debris removal
- Clogged downspouts cleared
- Damage inspection report
Before. After.
Soft wash roof cleaning across the Peninsula — moss, algae and lichen removed at the root, never blasted off.
Aerial survey — full roof cleaned and documented
Solar panels — cleaned without scratching
Redwood canopy roof — restored
Soft washing a tile roof — low pressure, at the root
Solar panels — pure water clean
Our roof had moss so thick you couldn't see the tile. Nick's crew treated it, walked us through what they were doing, and it still looks clean two years on.
A simple, respectful process.
We keep the back-and-forth to a minimum and the communication clear. Here's what working with us looks like.
Request an estimate
Call, text, or fill out our form. We respond within 24 hours with a clear, itemized quote.
On-site assessment
For larger jobs, we walk the property with you to confirm scope, materials, and the best method.
We do the work
On time, in uniform, with professional gear. Landscaping protected, neighbors respected.
Walkthrough & guarantee
We walk the finished job with you. If anything's not right, we fix it then and there.
Soft Wash Roof Cleaning across the Peninsula.
Questions we actually get.
How much does roof cleaning cost on the Peninsula?
Most Peninsula roof cleanings run from a few hundred dollars for a small single-story to over a thousand for large or steep estate roofs. Price depends on size, pitch, material, and how heavy the moss is. Every quote is free and delivered within 24 hours.
Is soft washing safe for shingle and tile roofs?
Yes — soft washing is the manufacturer-recommended method for both. It uses low pressure and biodegradable detergent, so it kills moss and algae at the root without stripping shingle granules or cracking tile.
How long does roof cleaning last?
A properly soft-washed roof typically stays clean 2–3 years on the Peninsula. Heavily shaded roofs under tree canopy may need treatment closer to every 2 years.
Will pressure washing damage my roof?
High pressure can — which is why we never use it on roofing. Blasting shingles removes the protective granules and can void warranties. We soft wash exclusively on roofs.
Do you clean cedar shake and slate roofs?
Yes. Cedar shake, slate, clay tile, concrete tile, and composition shingle each get a method matched to the material. Cedar and slate estates in Woodside and Hillsborough are a specialty.
Can roof moss affect my homeowners insurance?
Increasingly, yes. California insurers now review aerial imagery, and visible roof moss or debris can trigger non-renewal notices. A cleaning brings the roof back to insurable condition.
What are the black streaks on my roof?
They are a roof algae called Gloeocapsa magma, not dirt and not water stains. It feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles and spreads with rain runoff, which is why the streaks run downhill and start on the shaded side. Soft washing kills it at the root; pressure washing just smears it and strips granules.
My insurance company wants my roof cleaned. Can you help?
Yes, this is one of the most common calls we get on the Peninsula. We clean the roof with a method matched to the material, photograph it before and after from the ground and, where useful, from above, and give you a written service record to send your agent. Details are on our insurance roof notice page. Your carrier alone decides what satisfies its requirements.
Can you pressure wash a roof?
You can, and you shouldn’t. High pressure strips the granules off shingles, forces water under tile and can void a roof warranty. Every roof we clean is soft washed: low pressure, biodegradable detergent, dwell time, gentle rinse. Same result on the growth, none of the damage.
Do you clean roofs in Millbrae, Hillsborough and San Mateo?
Yes. We are based in Burlingame and clean roofs across Millbrae, Hillsborough, San Mateo, Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City, Atherton, Menlo Park, Woodside, Palo Alto, Los Altos and Foster City, plus San Francisco. Most roofs are scheduled within a week.
Let's get the growth off your roof — safely.
Free estimate within 24 hours. No pressure, no upsell, just a straight answer on what it'll cost and when we can start.
Questions? Email us anytime: pressurewashbynick@gmail.com