Roof Soft Washing in Dothan, AL

Those dark streaks running down the slopes of so many Dothan roofs are not soot or dirt. They are usually colonies of airborne algae, commonly identified as Gloeocapsa magma, that feed on the limestone filler in many asphalt shingles and thrive in warm, humid weather. Left alone, the streaks spread, and moss or lichen can follow in shady spots. Roof soft washing removes the growth without the damage high pressure can cause. Call (334) 621-3439 and we will connect you with an independent local provider who soft washes roofs. Dothan Pressure Washing Pros is a referral service; we do not go on roofs.

Why roofs in the Wiregrass streak

Algae needs moisture and shade, and southeast Alabama supplies plenty of both. North-facing slopes dry slowest after a dew or a storm, so they usually streak first. Roofs under tall pines and oaks stay damp longer, collect pine straw in valleys and get a fresh pollen coat each spring. Lighter-colored shingles show streaks sooner, but dark roofs carry the same growth even when it is harder to see.

Why roofs are not pressure washed

Asphalt shingles are covered with mineral granules that protect the asphalt from the sun. High pressure knocks those granules loose, can lift or break tabs, and can force water under the shingles. Many shingle manufacturers and industry groups advise against pressure washing roofs for these reasons. A proper roof cleaning is a soft wash: a cleaning solution applied at very low pressure, allowed to dwell, and rinsed lightly or left to wash off with rain, depending on the method. The algae dies, the stains fade, and the shingles are left intact. Visible streaks sometimes keep fading for days or weeks after treatment.

Shingles, metal and other roofs

• Asphalt shingle roofs are the most common soft wash job in the Dothan area.
• Metal roofs, common on farmhouses, barns and newer homes across the Wiregrass, collect mildew and chalky film. They are also cleaned at low pressure; ask the provider about protecting the painted finish and about slip safety, since wet metal is slick.
• Tile and other materials are less common here; ask whether the provider has cleaned your roof type before.

Protecting the house and yard

Roof cleaning solution runs down into gutters, onto siding and off the drip edge into flower beds. Experienced providers pre-wet plants and lawns, rinse them again afterward, may route downspout runoff away from beds, and rinse siding and windows below the roof. Ask about all of this before booking.

What roof soft washing typically costs

As a typical national-guide range, cost guides commonly list roof soft washing at roughly $0.30 to $0.75 per square foot of roof, and some list about $450 to $700 for an average roof. Steep pitches, two-story homes, heavy moss or lichen and complicated rooflines push the price higher. These are general guide figures, not a quote. The local provider will measure or estimate your roof and give you a written price. See the cost guide for more.

Timing and how long results last

Roofs can be soft washed most of the year here, though crews avoid days with high wind or rain in the forecast. Many homeowners pair a roof wash with a house wash so the runoff from the roof does not streak freshly cleaned siding. Results commonly last a few years, depending on shade and tree cover. Trimming branches that overhang the roof and keeping valleys clear of pine straw helps a clean roof stay clean longer.

Roofs in Dothan: trees, storms and timing

Tree canopy is a big reason roofs streak here. In older neighborhoods and wooded subdivisions, tall pines and oaks shade roofs for most of the day and drop straw into valleys. Hurricane Michael in October 2018 showed the other side of those trees: several came down on homes in the Garden District, Governor Ivey toured storm damage in Houston County the next day, and the city was still burning storm debris piles into early 2019. If your roof was repaired or replaced after Michael or a later storm, tell the provider; a newer roof may need only a light treatment, and any patched areas should be pointed out before anyone walks on it.

Metal roofs are common on farmhouses, shops and barns across Houston and Dale counties, and they collect mildew and peanut-harvest dust in the fall. For timing, many homeowners book a roof wash in late spring once the pine pollen has dropped, or after a storm once debris is cleared and a roofer has checked for damage. Summer afternoon thunderstorms can cut a roof wash short, so morning starts are common from June through August.

Roof cleaning and your roof's life

Removing algae and moss is mostly about appearance and about stopping moss from holding moisture against the shingles. It does not fix a roof that is already worn out, and a soft wash provider is not a roofer. If the provider notices missing shingles, lifted flashing or soft spots, ask them to point them out so you can have a roofing contractor take a look.

What to ask before you hire

• Do you soft wash roofs, or use pressure? What solution and strength do you use?
• How do you protect my plants, lawn, siding and gutters from runoff?
• How will your crew stay safe on the roof, and what equipment do they use?
• Do you carry general liability insurance, and can I see a certificate?
• Does the price include rinsing the siding and windows after the roof?

Alabama does not have a state license written specifically for pressure washing or soft washing. Providers generally need a business license from the city they work in, such as the City of Dothan, and some counties issue their own business licenses too. Because there is no state trade license to look up, proof of insurance is the more useful thing to ask for: a current certificate of general liability insurance that covers damage to your property, plants or vehicles. If the job grows into repairs, painting or carpentry, ask whether any other license applies to that part of the work. Inside Dothan city limits, the city requires a business license for anyone doing business there, handled by Business Services in the Finance Department, and those licenses expire every December 31. Houston County issues its own license through the Probate Office. A provider who works in Dothan regularly should have no trouble telling you they are current.

Frequently asked questions

Areas we serve

We connect callers across Dothan, Enterprise, Ozark, Headland and the Wiregrass of southeast Alabama, including:

• Dothan
• Enterprise
• Ozark
• Headland
• Taylor
• Kinsey
• Cowarts
• Ashford
• Webb
• Rehobeth
• Daleville
• Abbeville
• Slocomb
• Houston County
• Dale County

Local pages: Enterprise, Ozark, Taylor.

Related services

• House Washing & Soft Washing
• Driveway & Concrete Cleaning
• Deck & Fence Cleaning
• Commercial & Storefront Washing
• Gutter Brightening