Roof Cleaning in Hartford, CT

Published 2026 data puts asphalt soft washing at roughly $0.30 to $0.50 per square foot, so most full roofs land between $400 and $900. Heavy moss or lichen adds 30 to 50 percent, typically $600 to $1,300. Pitch, stories and access all move it. We quote in writing after a walkthrough.

Not according to the manufacturers. ARMA states there is no scientific evidence that algae damages asphalt shingles, so black streaking is primarily an appearance problem. Moss is the growth that causes real harm. Anyone telling you streaks are destroying your roof is overstating it.

Yes, more so than algae. ARMA notes moss can lift and curl shingle edges, which increases blow-off risk in wind, and heavy buildup can move water sideways under the shingles and reach the deck. If you have moss rather than just streaking, it is worth acting on.

Soft washing follows what the industry actually recommends, so it should not. Pressure washing is the risk. ARMA says not to use a power washer on asphalt roofing because high pressure is likely to damage it, and granule loss is exactly what warranty disputes are about.

Around two to five years on most Connecticut roofs. ARMA’s own guidance says cleaning is temporary and discoloration can recur, so treat any promise of a permanent result with suspicion. Shade, overhanging trees and north-facing slopes shorten it. Sun and airflow extend it.

Never. High pressure strips the protective granules from asphalt shingles and shortens the life of the roof. We use a low-pressure soft wash with a cleaning solution, which is the method the shingle manufacturers publish. If a contractor offers to pressure wash your roof, decline.

Not when the prep is done properly. Beds and shrubs under the drip line get soaked with plain water first and covered where needed, then everything gets rinsed down afterward. Keep pets inside while we work and let surfaces dry before they come back out.

Roughly April through November. Freezing temperatures end the season, since solution and rinse water should not sit on cold surfaces. Spring and early fall are both good windows. Fall is quieter, so it is usually easier to get the date you want.

Every two to five years suits most roofs here, depending on tree cover. Shaded, heavily treed properties often need it sooner. If moss is establishing rather than just algae streaking, do not wait for the full interval.

Almost certainly. We work across Hartford and the Central Connecticut towns around it, from Newington and Wethersfield out to Glastonbury, Avon, Simsbury and Farmington. If your street is not listed, call and ask.