Before and After Roof Cleaning – A Lafayette Case Study

Sometimes the best way to understand the value of professional roof cleaning is to see a real example. This case study documents a recent soft wash roof cleaning we completed for a homeowner in Lafayette, Louisiana — from the initial consultation through the finished result. If your roof looks anything like the "before" description below, this post is for you.

The Property: An Acadian Style Home in Lafayette

The homeowner contacted us after noticing that their asphalt shingle roof had developed significant dark streaking across the south and west-facing slopes. The home was about 14 years old — well within the expected lifespan of the shingles — but the discoloration had become severe enough that neighbors had made comments about it. On closer inspection during our estimate visit, we identified:

• Heavy black streaking caused by Gloeocapsa magma algae, a common airborne organism that feeds on limestone filler in asphalt shingles

  
  

Our Assessment and Recommendation

Based on our assessment, we recommended a full soft wash roof treatment using our professional-grade algaecide and mildew-killing solution.

We specifically advised against any form of high-pressure cleaning on this roof. The shingles, while still in good structural condition, had about 10–12 years of remaining life if properly maintained. High-pressure washing would strip granules from the shingles, accelerating deterioration and potentially voiding any remaining warranty.

The Process

On the morning of the job, our crew arrived and took the following steps:

• Pre-wet all surrounding landscaping, flower beds, and grass to protect from overspray

• Applied our biodegradable soft wash solution from the eave up using low-pressure equipment — never exceeding garden-hose pressure

• Allowed the solution to dwell for approximately 20 minutes to penetrate and kill algae and moss at the root level

• Rinsed gently from the ridge down using low pressure, taking care not to lift shingles or force water beneath them

• Did a final walk-around inspection and addressed two areas with heavier lichen growth using a second application

The Results

The transformation was dramatic. The black streaks that had been visible from the street were completely gone. The moss growth on the north slope was dead and had largely rinsed away, with any remaining residue expected to continue washing off over the next few rain cycles. The lichen spots had lifted significantly — lichen is notoriously stubborn, but our solution had done its work.

The homeowner walked out while we were doing the final rinse and immediately commented that it looked "like a completely different roof." That's the reaction we love.

Post-Cleaning Notes

We advised the homeowner on a few things after the cleaning:

• Some residual staining may continue to fade over the next 30 days as rain naturally rinses the roof

• We recommended a maintenance cleaning, call when streaks first start to appear to keep the roof looking its best

The Takeaway for Lafayette Homeowners

This job is a perfect example of what proper soft wash roof cleaning can do. The homeowner avoided a premature roof replacement, improved curb appeal dramatically, and extended the useful life of their shingles — all for a fraction of what a new roof would cost.

If your roof looks like the "before" we described, don't wait. The longer algae and moss sit on your shingles, the more damage accumulates beneath them.

Call Acadiana Hydro Kleen today at www.acadianahydrokleen.com and let's clean that roof the right way!