Roof Care Tips
If you've noticed dark streaks spreading across your roof shingles, you're dealing with Gloeocapsa magma — a bacteria that spreads shingle to shingle and feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt roofing. Left untreated, it shortens your roof's lifespan and can affect your homeowner's insurance. But timing your roof cleaning right makes a significant difference in results and how long they last.
In Missouri, there are two ideal windows for roof cleaning — and both have specific advantages depending on your situation.
Spring is the most popular choice for roof cleaning in St. Charles County and St. Louis County for good reason. After winter, roofs have accumulated debris, moisture damage and often a fresh wave of biological growth that thrived in the damp, cold conditions. Spring cleaning removes all of this before Missouri's summer heat kicks in.
There's also a practical advantage: spring temperatures in the 55–75°F range are ideal for soft wash solutions to dwell and work effectively. Extreme heat can cause solutions to evaporate too quickly before fully treating the surface.
If you're thinking about selling your home, spring cleaning before listing is especially valuable — roof appearance is one of the first things buyers and home inspectors evaluate.
Fall is the second best window — specifically after the peak summer algae growth season has passed but before the first hard freeze. By September, the Gloeocapsa magma that spread all summer is at its most visible and most extensive. Treating it in fall removes it before it has all winter to penetrate deeper into your shingles.
Fall cleaning also prevents moss and lichen from establishing over winter. These organisms hold moisture against your shingles through freeze-thaw cycles, which accelerates shingle deterioration significantly.
When NOT to clean your roof: Avoid scheduling roof cleaning in peak summer heat (July–August) when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F. The cleaning solution evaporates too quickly to fully treat the algae. Also avoid cleaning within 24 hours of expected rain, which can dilute the solution before it fully works.
A professional soft wash roof cleaning typically keeps your roof looking clean for 2–4 years in Missouri's climate, depending on how much shade your roof receives and local tree coverage. Heavily shaded roofs in wooded neighborhoods may see regrowth faster than fully sun-exposed roofs.
The key is using a professional-grade sodium hypochlorite solution that kills the bacteria completely — not just removes the visible staining. DIY solutions and store-bought roof cleaners typically use concentrations too low to fully eliminate the organism, which is why many homeowners find results don't last.
Professional roof soft washing takes 1–3 hours depending on roof size and pitch. You don't need to be home — we just need access to the property. Results are typically immediate, though some heavily stained areas may take a few rain cycles to fully rinse clean. We send before and after photos when complete so you can see the difference from the ground.
Serving St. Peters, O'Fallon, St. Charles County and St. Louis County — first time customers save 15%!