My Roof Looks 20 Years Older Than It Is — Can Roof Cleaning Fix That?

By Dwayne | Forza Roof Cleaning | March 2022

The Great Deception: Why Your Roof Looks Older Than It Is

It’s a frustrating feeling. You look at your home, the one you’ve poured so much love and effort into, and something just seems off. The roof, which you know is only a decade old, looks like it belongs to a house built in the 1980s. The color is dull, covered in dark, unsightly streaks, and it gives the entire property a tired, neglected appearance. You start to wonder if you’re facing a premature and costly roof replacement. But what if we told you that your roof’s age is likely just an illusion?

What you’re seeing is a classic case of visual aging versus actual aging. The structural integrity of your shingles is likely perfectly fine. The real culprit is a thriving ecosystem of biological growth that has made a home on your roof. The most common offender, responsible for those black streaks, is an organism called Gloeocapsa magma, a type of cyanobacteria. It’s not dirt, and it’s certainly not a sign that your shingles are failing. It’s a living colony that is feeding on the limestone filler in your asphalt shingles, and it’s slowly but surely diminishing your home’s curb appeal.

Think of it like a car that’s been driven down a muddy road. The paint underneath the mud is still glossy and vibrant, but it’s hidden under a layer of dirt. You wouldn’t repaint the car; you’d wash it. The same principle applies to your roof. Here in Central Ohio, and across the seven other states we’ve cleaned roofs from Wisconsin to Tennessee, the humid climate creates the perfect breeding ground for Gloeocapsa magma , as well as various types of moss and lichen. These organisms are the reason your 10-year-old roof can look 25 years old.

More Than Just a Cosmetic Issue

While the visual impact of a dirty roof is what most homeowners notice first, the problem is more than just skin deep. Left untreated, this biological growth can cause significant and permanent damage to your roofing materials. Moss, for example, is like a sponge, absorbing and holding moisture against your roof’s surface. In the winter, this moisture can freeze and expand, causing shingles to crack and lift. This allows water to seep underneath, leading to rot, leaks, and costly structural damage.

The algae, for its part, is literally eating your roof. Asphalt shingles contain limestone as a filler, and Gloeocapsa magma feeds on this limestone. Over time, this process dislodges the protective granules from the shingles, leaving them exposed to the elements and shortening their lifespan. What starts as a cosmetic issue can quickly evolve into a serious problem that compromises the integrity of your entire roofing system. That’s why addressing the root cause of the problem, not just the symptoms, is so important.

The Forza Solution: A True Roof Rejuvenation

This is where a professional roof cleaning comes in. And we’re not talking about blasting your roof with a pressure washer. That’s a common mistake that will do more harm than good, stripping away granules and causing irreparable damage. At Forza Roof Cleaning, we are not a pressure washing company; we are specialized roof treatment experts. We use a gentle, professional-grade cleaning process that is designed to safely and effectively eliminate the biological growth on your roof without causing any damage to your shingles.

Our process begins with a non-invasive drone assessment to get a clear picture of your roof’s condition. Once your job is queued, our crew will arrive and conduct a thorough safety walk-around. We use professional-grade ladder standoffs to ensure that we never have to walk on your roof, protecting it from any potential damage. From a solid and safe anchor point, our industrial-grade pumping system allows us to reach every inch of your roof with our proprietary blend of roof-safe algaecides and fungicides. This biodegradable, water-soluble solution is gently applied to systematically cover the entire roof, killing the algae, moss, and lichen at their source.

After the treatment, we conduct a post-treatment drone verification flight to ensure that every area has been covered. We then clean up the entire area and do a final walkthrough with you to answer any questions you may have. The result is a roof that looks like new, without the cost and hassle of a replacement. Whether you have a shingle roof that needs a new lease on life, or a delicate cedar or slate roof, our process is tailored to provide the best possible results. You can learn more about our specific services for different roof types, such as our shingle roof cleaning or cedar roof cleaning services, on our website.

Real-World Transformations: From "Old" to "New"

We’ve seen it time and time again. A homeowner in Dublin, Ohio, was convinced they needed a new roof for their 12-year-old home. The black streaks were so severe that the roof looked like it was 30 years old. After our professional roof treatment, the transformation was stunning. The roof looked brand new, and the homeowner was thrilled to have saved tens of thousands of dollars on a premature replacement. We’ve had similar experiences with homes of all sizes, from modest trailers to sprawling mansions, and even commercial properties like the Wedgewood Country Club in Powell.

With over 1,500 roofs cleaned and a perfect 5.0-star rating from 256 Google reviews, our track record speaks for itself. We stand behind our work with a quality guarantee, giving you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your roof is protected for the long haul. Our family-owned business has been serving Central Ohio and beyond for over a decade, and we take great pride in restoring the beauty and value of our customers’ homes.

The Bottom Line

So, can roof cleaning fix a roof that looks 20 years older than it is? The answer is a resounding yes. In most cases, what appears to be an old, worn-out roof is simply a roof that is covered in a layer of biological growth. A professional roof treatment from Forza Roof Cleaning can safely and effectively remove this growth, restoring your roof’s appearance and extending its life. It’s a smart, cost-effective investment that can save you thousands of dollars in the long run and dramatically improve your home’s curb appeal.

Serving Columbus and Central Ohio: Forza Roof Cleaning provides professional roof cleaning in Columbus, Ohio and all surrounding communities. Call (888) 516-0008 for a free drone assessment.