Roof cleaning in the area east of Chicago

Roof cleaning in the area cut off about 20 miles east of Chicago clears the black streaks that run down asphalt shingles across this part of the service radius. Integrity Softwash Solutions LLC uses a soft wash, not high pressure, so the shingles are cleaned without losing their granules.

What the streaks are

The black lines are gloeocapsa algae, a type that feeds on the limestone filler in modern shingles. It spreads down the roof with rain, so the stains follow the path water takes. Moss and lichen can follow, rooting into the shingle and lifting the edge.

Soft washing applies the cleaning solution at low pressure, lets it break the growth down, then rinses gently. High pressure would blast granules off the shingle and shorten the roof.

What to expect

A roof clean starts with a look at the shingle type, the slope, and how much growth is present. Plants and property below are rinsed before and after to protect them from the runoff. See the roof cleaning service page for what is included, and the service areas overview for where this is offered.