By Why do home owner associations often require residents to clean their roofs? The answer is quite simple. Over time roofs age and discolor. Many turn black or build up a lot of unsightly black streaks. These streaks make the roofs look old, and make the neighborhood look less appealing.
The discoloration and black streaks on roofs are caused by the cyanobacteria called gleocapsa magma. It’s a form of algae that builds colonies of roof destroying organisms. They not only make your roof look bad, but they can also damage roofs by feasting on the limestone content in the shingles, loosening granules, and shortening the life of your roof.
HOA’s don’t really care how often you have to replace your roof, but you sure should. Roof replacement is guaranteed to cost in the thousands, and sometimes tens of thousands. Roof cleaning in Jacksonville, Florida on the other hand may cost only .20-.50 cents per square foot. Roof replacement may run as high as $3-10 per sq. ft.
The real reason HOA’s require roof cleaning is appearance. They want the neighborhood to look nice. The algae that causes roof discoloration has spores which are airborne. They are released into the atmosphere and travel from roof to roof. Just like taking care of landscaping can help ensure less weeds in the lawns for everyone, the same is true with roof cleaning. This is why it’s a good idea to keep all of the roofs in a neighborhood clean.
Of course the algae is destructive, so keeping the roof clean also means expanding the life of the roofing material. Whether it’s a metal roof, asphalt shingle, barrel tile, or any other type of roofing. All roofing material benefits from roof cleaning and removing destructive algae and other organic matter that breeds mold, mildew, and with them rot!
Here is an example of a roof cleaning performed by Ultrasoft Pressure Washing LLC’s certified roof cleaning technicians for a client who received the warning letter from their HOA for roof cleaning. Note how all of the black discoloration is gone and it looks like a brand new roof! When your HOA gives you the letter, don’t hesitate. Call the best of the best RCIA certified roof cleaning in Jacksonville, Florida at 904-304-0810
