Black streaks, green moss, and crusty lichen aren't just ugly — they're eating your shingles. I ID the species, score granule loss under the growth, and give you an honest soft-wash-vs-re-roof decision instead of the pressure-wash-and-pray scope that voids your warranty.
Species ID: Gloeocapsa algae, moss, lichen
Granule-loss scoring under affected areas
Manufacturer warranty compatibility check
Soft-wash vs re-roof cost-benefit analysis
Zinc / copper strip retrofit scoring for prevention
Written scope with photo evidence and cost bands
Full roof walk with species-specific growth mapping. Granule-loss probe and scoring under algae streaks and moss patches. Shingle mat condition assessment (lift-and-probe where safe). Manufacturer warranty language review — is soft-wash even allowed on your shingle? Zinc or copper strip retrofit feasibility for long-term prevention. ARMA-compliant soft-wash scope vs re-roof timing analysis. Written scope with photo evidence, cost bands, and prevention plan.
NM homeowners with visible black streaking, green moss, or lichen on the roof. Owners quoted for a pressure-wash cleaning (get the scope right first). Buyers under contract on stained-roof homes wanting real condition data. Owners with mature trees or north-facing slopes with recurring growth. Homeowners planning to sell wanting curb-appeal-vs-cost math.
Verbal Walk — $99 Standard Growth Report — $249 Detailed w/ Granule Probe + Warranty Review — $449 Multi-Property — Custom Most algae/moss inspections are $249–$449. Getting the right clean-vs-replace call saves $3,000–$15,000 vs a wrong-scope decision.
Yes — Gloeocapsa magma (the black-streak algae) feeds on limestone filler in asphalt shingles and accelerates granule loss. It's not just cosmetic. On a 15-year-old roof with heavy streaking, you may already have 30% granule-loss under the streaks. I probe and score.
No. Pressure-washing voids nearly every asphalt shingle warranty (GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed all specifically prohibit it) and strips remaining granules. Soft-wash with a sodium hypochlorite mix per ARMA guidelines is the only manufacturer-approved method. I score whether cleaning is even worth it vs re-roof timing.
Moss holds moisture against the shingle mat 24/7 and lifts tabs from underneath — much worse than algae. Once moss is established, the shingles underneath are usually 3–5 years past their real service life. I core-probe under moss patches to score actual mat condition.
Vigas, canales, parapet caps — NM specialty.
Manufacturer + workmanship defect audit.
Yearly punch-list + service-life estimate.
Pre-listing & buyer due-diligence reports.
I've watched too many neighbors sign contracts they didn't understand for roofs they didn't need. That stops with a written report they own.