Roof Soft Wash & Moss Removal
Safe, Low-Pressure Cleaning That Protects Your Shingles and Extends Your Roof’s Life.
✓ Safe Soft Wash Method — No High-Pressure Damage
✓ Removes Moss, Algae, Lichen & Black Streaks
✓ Protects Asphalt Shingle Warranty
✓ Residential Homes & Cabins
✓ Serving Benzie County, Arcadia, Bear Lake, Onekama, Kaleva, Thompsonville, Copemish, Empire, Lake Ann, and Interlochen
✓ Safe Soft Wash Method — No High-Pressure Damage ✓ Removes Moss, Algae, Lichen & Black Streaks ✓ Protects Asphalt Shingle Warranty ✓ Residential Homes & Cabins ✓ Serving Benzie County, Arcadia, Bear Lake, Onekama, Kaleva, Thompsonville, Copemish, Empire, Lake Ann, and Interlochen
If you've noticed black streaks running down your roof, green patches of moss building up along the shingles, or a general darkening that makes the whole house look older than it is — that's not just a cosmetic issue. Moss, algae, and lichen trap moisture against your shingles, accelerate wear, and left long enough, can work their way under the shingles and cause real structural damage.
The good news is it's treatable. The bad news is a lot of people treat it the wrong way.
High-pressure washing might seem like the obvious solution, but on asphalt shingles it strips the protective granules that give your roof its weather resistance and UV protection. Done wrong, it can actually void your shingle manufacturer's warranty. Soft wash uses low pressure and a professional-grade cleaning solution to break down and kill the organic growth at the root — without touching the granules.
I'm Alex Standerfer, and at Hide A Way Home and Haul we use the soft wash method for every roof cleaning job. It's the right way to do it, and your roof will thank you for it.
What’s Growing on Your Roof
Northern Michigan's humidity and tree cover make roofs especially vulnerable to organic growth. Here's what we remove.
Moss
The most visible problem on Northern Michigan roofs. Moss holds moisture against shingles like a sponge, accelerating freeze-thaw damage through the winter. It needs to be killed at the root, not just scraped off.
Lichen
Lichen is the hardest to remove because it physically attaches to the shingle surface with root-like structures. Soft wash treatment kills it so it releases naturally over time. Pressure washing just tears the shingle up with it.
Algae & Black Streaks
Those dark streaks running down your shingles are Gloeocapsa magma — a blue-green algae that feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles. It spreads and darkens over time, making the roof look far older than it is.
General Dirt & Debris Staining
Beyond organic growth, roofs accumulate general grime, airborne pollutants, and debris staining that soft wash clears up — leaving the whole roof looking fresh and even.
Why Soft Wash — Not Pressure Washing
This is the most important thing to understand before anyone gets on your roof.
SOFT WASH — THE RIGHT METHOD
✓ Low pressure — safe for all asphalt shingles
✓ Professional cleaning solution kills moss, algae & lichen at the root
✓ Results last longer — growth is killed, not just displaced
✓ Protects shingle granules and manufacturer warranty
✓ Safe for gutters, flashing, and surrounding landscaping
✓ Recommended by most shingle manufacturers including GAF and CertainTeed
PRESSURE WASHING — THE WRONG METHOD FOR ROOFS
✕ High pressure strips protective granules from asphalt shingles
✕ Can void shingle manufacturer warranty
✕ Blasts moss and algae loose but doesn't kill the root — it grows back faster
✕ Risk of forcing water under shingles and into the roof deck
✕ Can damage gutters, flashing, and seals around penetrations
✕ Not recommended by any major shingle manufacturer for roof cleaning
If someone quotes you a roof cleaning job and mentions a pressure washer, that's a red flag. The industry standard for asphalt shingle roofs is soft wash — and that's what Hide A Way Home and Haul uses on every job.
Professional Roof Cleaning Done the Right Way
No shortcuts. No pressure washing. No damage to your shingles.
Soft Wash Only
Alex uses low-pressure soft wash on every roof cleaning job — no exceptions. It's the method that protects your shingles, kills the growth at the root, and delivers results that actually last.
Landscaping Protection
Cleaning solution is pre-wet and post-rinsed around surrounding plants, shrubs, and landscaping. Alex takes care not to leave chemical residue on anything it shouldn't touch.
Northern Michigan Specialist
Northern Michigan's tree cover, humidity, and freeze-thaw cycles create ideal conditions for moss and algae growth. Alex understands what these roofs deal with and treats accordingly.
Eyes on the Roof
While up there, Alex will flag anything that looks like it needs attention — lifted shingles, damaged flashing, compromised seals. You'll hear about it before it becomes an expensive problem.
Warranty Safe
Soft wash is the manufacturer-recommended cleaning method for asphalt shingles. Your GAF, CertainTeed, or Owens Corning warranty stays intact. Pressure washing it doesn't.
Local & Accountable
Alex lives and works in Frankfort. If something isn't right, he's a phone call away — not a regional franchise that's hard to track down after the job is done.
Roof Soft Wash Service Across Northern Michigan
Hide A Way Home and Haul serves homeowners and cabin owners across Benzie County, Arcadia, Bear Lake, Onekama, Kaleva, Thompsonville, Copemish, Empire, Lake Ann, and Interlochen for roof soft wash and moss removal. Based in Frankfort, Michigan.
Northern Michigan homes — especially those near water or under heavy tree canopy — tend to see faster moss and algae growth than properties in more open areas. If your roof hasn't been cleaned in the last three to five years, it's worth a look.
SERVICE AREA LIST
• Frankfort & Benzie County (primary service area)
• Crystal Lake & Beulah area
• Benzonia & Thompsonville
• Traverse City & Grand Traverse County
• Leelanau County
• Manistee area — call to confirm
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes — soft wash is actually safer for your roof than pressure washing. Low pressure means no risk of stripping granules or forcing water under shingles. The cleaning solution does the work, not the force of the water. It's the method recommended by most major shingle manufacturers.
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Pressure washing uses high-force water to blast debris loose. On a roof, that strips the protective granules from asphalt shingles and can void your manufacturer warranty. Soft wash uses low pressure and a professional cleaning solution that kills moss, algae, and lichen at the biological level — so it doesn't grow back as fast and your shingles stay intact.
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Most residential roofs take two to four hours depending on the size of the roof and the severity of the growth. Alex will give you a time estimate when you book.
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A soft wash treatment typically keeps a roof clean for two to five years depending on the surrounding environment — tree coverage, proximity to water, and annual rainfall all play a role. Northern Michigan roofs near heavy tree canopy may need treatment more frequently than open properties.
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Alex pre-wets surrounding plants and landscaping before applying the cleaning solution, and rinses thoroughly afterward. The goal is to clean the roof without leaving chemical residue on anything it shouldn't touch.
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Not necessarily. As long as Alex can access the roof and there's a water source available, the job can often be completed while you're away. Just discuss it when you book.
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Black streaks are almost always algae — specifically a type called Gloeocapsa magma that feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles. It's extremely common on Northern Michigan roofs. Soft wash kills it and clears the streaks. Left untreated it spreads and can cause long-term shingle degradation.
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Pricing depends on roof size, pitch, and the amount of growth present. Call or text for a free quote — Alex will give you a straight number before any work starts.
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Yes. Hide A Way Home and Haul carries full business insurance.
Your Roof Is Worth Protecting
Get a free quote on roof soft wash and moss removal. Safe, professional, and done the right way — serving Northern Michigan homeowners and cabin owners across Benzie County and surrounding Northern Michigan communities.
Serving Benzie County and surrounding Northern Michigan communities • Frankfort, Michigan