Roof Washing Service for Asphalt Shingle and Composite Roofs

A roof washing service is the professional cleaning of a roof to remove black streaks, algae, moss, and other biological buildup using a method that fits the roof material and its condition. For asphalt shingle and composite roofs, that matters — the wrong cleaning approach can do more harm than good. A+ Power Washing and Roof Cleaning provides roof washing for homes across coastal New Jersey using a pressure-free roof cleaning process built around the company’s proprietary A+ Smart Wash™ system — a hot water cleaning method developed by founder Brian Hegarty and refined since 1990. The goal is straightforward: clean the roof without relying on aggressive high pressure.

What Causes Black Streaks, Algae, and Moss on Roofs?

What many homeowners first notice is not “dirt.” It is usually biological growth.

Black streaks on asphalt shingle roofs are commonly associated with Gloeocapsa magma, a type of cyanobacteria often referred to as roof algae in homeowner-facing discussions. It shows up as dark vertical staining and tends to become more noticeable over time. On homes near the New Jersey shore, moisture, humidity, shade, and seasonal organic buildup can make these roof stains easier to spot and harder to ignore.

Algae is one problem. Moss is another. Moss holds moisture against the roof surface and can create more serious maintenance concerns if left unchecked. Once moss starts filling edges, seams, or shaded sections of the roof, it usually means the surface needs more than a quick rinse.

If your roof has dark streaks, green patches, or visible moss growth, the issue is usually not cosmetic alone. It is a sign the roof surface needs the right kind of cleaning.

Why Roof Material and Roof Condition Matter

Not every exterior surface can be cleaned the same way. A driveway, a sidewalk, and an asphalt shingle roof are different jobs.

Asphalt shingles and composite roofs depend on their surface condition. Cleaning method matters because these roofs are not built to be treated like hard concrete. Aggressive washing can create avoidable damage, especially on older roofs or roofs that already have visible wear.

That is why roof washing should be based on the type of roof, the age and condition of the shingles, the level of algae, moss, or buildup present, the pitch and accessibility of the roof, and the surrounding property conditions — including landscaping and runoff paths.

A roof with light staining may need a different approach than a roof with heavy moss growth. A newer roof may respond differently from an older one. The point is not to force one generic process onto every property. The point is to match the cleaning approach to the roof in front of you.

How A+ Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Approaches Roof Washing

A+ Power Washing and Roof Cleaning uses a pressure-free roof cleaning process designed specifically for asphalt shingle and composite roofs. The company has been doing this work since 1990 — over 36 years in business — and the approach has been refined through thousands of roof jobs across Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Property prep and runoff control. Before cleaning begins, the roof, gutter flow, downspouts, and surrounding property are evaluated. Nearby landscaping and other sensitive areas are protected before any treatment is applied. This is not optional — it is built into the process on every job.

Pressure-free application with hot water. The cleaning process is applied at low pressure using hot water rather than the cold water and high force used in standard power washing. That distinction matters on roof surfaces. Hot water is a central part of how A+ cleans — it is one of the key differences between this company and most competitors in the area, who rely on cold water methods.

The A+ Smart Wash™ system. A+ Power Washing and Roof Cleaning uses a proprietary cleaning mix developed by founder Brian Hegarty and refined over 36 years. The exact formula is part of the company’s process and is not publicly disclosed. Combined with the hot water application, this is the core of the A+ Smart Wash™ system — and the reason the company approaches roof washing differently than a generic soft wash operation.

Roof-by-roof evaluation. Not every roof has the same buildup, same exposure, or same condition. A roof with light streaking is not treated the same as a roof with heavy moss. The process is adjusted based on what the roof actually needs.

Benefits of A+ Smart Wash

What Makes This Process Different

A lot of roof cleaning companies use the phrase “soft washing,” but that phrase by itself does not tell you much. What matters is how the work is actually done.

A+ Power Washing and Roof Cleaning calls its approach “pressure-free roof cleaning” for a reason — it reflects what the homeowner actually experiences. No aggressive high pressure on the shingles. A proprietary cleaning mix applied with hot water at controlled, low pressure. And a company that has been refining this exact process since 1990, with nearly 1,500 five-star Google reviews from homeowners who have seen the results firsthand.

That matters because roof cleaning is not just about making stains disappear. It is about using a method that fits the roof material, the condition of the shingles, the severity of the growth, and the property around it.

Roof Washing vs. Power Washing

These are not the same thing.

Power washing usually refers to cleaning with force. On hard surfaces like concrete and pavers, it can be effective. On asphalt shingle and composite roofs, aggressive pressure is a different story.

Roof washing — specifically, pressure-free roof cleaning — is a roof-specific service. The focus is on removing biological growth and staining using a controlled method that does not rely on surface blasting.

For homeowners, the distinction is simple: power washing is force-first, and roof washing should be roof-first.

When You Should Schedule a Roof Washing

You should consider scheduling roof washing when you notice any of the following: dark black streaks running down the roof, green buildup or staining (especially on shaded or north-facing sections), moss growing along shingle edges or in damp areas, a roof that makes the whole exterior look older or poorly maintained, or visible buildup before listing the home for sale.

On shore-area properties, roofs often deal with a mix of moisture, shade, salt-air exposure, and seasonal buildup. That does not mean every roof needs constant treatment, but it does mean staining and growth can become visible faster than homeowners expect.

What Affects the Cost of Roof Washing?

The cost of roof washing depends on the property, not just the square footage. The most common factors include:

Roof size and layout. Larger roofs take more labor, more setup, and more treatment. Complex rooflines with multiple sections, dormers, or valleys also add time.

Roof pitch and access. Steeper roofs are harder to navigate and require more care and safety planning than walkable roofs.

Severity of buildup. A roof with light streaking is different from a roof with heavier algae growth or established moss. Heavier buildup usually means more time and a more involved process.

Roof condition. Older roofs or roofs with visible wear may need a more careful approach.

Property surroundings. Landscaping, gutter routing, drainage paths, and access around the home all affect how the work is set up and how runoff is managed.

This is why serious roof cleaning companies do not quote every roof the same way.

Why DIY Roof Cleaning Can Go Wrong

DIY roof cleaning sounds simple until the roof is wet, the surface is slick, and the cleaning method proves wrong for the material.

The main risks are practical. Too much pressure — using standard equipment on an asphalt shingle roof can damage the surface and create problems that did not exist before. Unsafe footing — wet roofs are slippery, and adding algae, hoses, ladders, and cleaning solution sends the fall risk up fast. Poor runoff control — without the right setup, cleaning runoff can affect nearby landscaping and other exterior surfaces. Wrong method for the roof — even when the intent is good, homeowners often use a method that is too aggressive or simply not suited to the roof’s condition.

For most homeowners, this is one of those jobs where the risk of getting it wrong is higher than it looks from the ground.

Why Homeowners Trust A+ Power Washing and Roof Cleaning

A+ Power Washing and Roof Cleaning is headquartered in Neptune Township, NJ. The company was founded in 1990 by Brian Hegarty and has been serving homeowners across Monmouth County, Ocean County, and the surrounding shore communities for over 36 years.

The company is licensed, insured, and BBB accredited. With nearly 1,500 five-star Google reviews, A+ has one of the strongest reputations in New Jersey’s residential power-washing industry. The work is backed by the company’s 3-Year Warranty of Pressure Free Roof Cleaning™ — a written warranty specific to roof cleaning jobs.

If your roof has black streaks, algae, or moss, the next step is having the roof evaluated by a company that has been doing this work since 1990. A+ Power Washing and Roof Cleaning serves homeowners across Monmouth County, Ocean County, and the New Jersey shore. Call to schedule an evaluation and get a quote for roof washing service.

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