When We Won’t Clean Your Roof (and What We Do Instead)

Most roof cleaners will say yes to every roof. We don’t. Some roofs need a repair before they need a wash. Some days are too wet, too hot, or too stormy to be up there. And some requests, like pressure washing your shingles, are ones we turn down no matter who asks.

This page explains exactly when we say no, when we say “not yet,” and what happens next. If you are comparing companies for roof cleaning in Lafayette, use it as a checklist. A company that never says no is a company to question.

Quick answer: We won’t clean a roof that has active leaks, damaged or missing shingles, soft decking, or heavy granule loss until it is repaired. We reschedule for thunder, heavy rain, high wind, and extreme heat. And we never pressure wash shingles.

Why a Roof Cleaner Should Ever Say No

Cleaning removes growth. It does not repair anything. ARMA, the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, says algae discoloration mostly affects looks, and that moss is the one that can lift shingle edges and cause leaks. A wash can clear either one, but it cannot fix a lifted shingle or a worn roof underneath.

There is also a safety side. ARMA warns that a treated roof gets slippery, which is why it says to use trained professionals. So before we climb, we look at the roof, the weather, and the work in front of us. If the answer is “not safe” or “not smart,” you will hear it from us plainly, with photos.

Roof Problems That Come Before Cleaning

Active Leaks and Water Stains

If you have a drip, a ceiling stain, or damp insulation, you have a roofing problem. Soft washing sends water across the roof, and a roof with a weak spot can take that water inside. Fix the leak first. Then we can clean.

Missing, Cracked, Curling, or Lifting Shingles

One roof safety guide lists shingles that are curling, cracking, missing, or visibly lifting as conditions where cleaning may not be appropriate. We agree. This is especially true with heavy moss. ARMA says moss can lift or curl the leading edges of shingles and raise the risk of blow off in high winds. If edges are already lifted, a roofer needs to look before anyone sprays anything.

Heavy Granule Loss and Bare Spots

Granules are the gritty surface that shields shingles from sun and weather. When they are mostly gone, the black asphalt underneath shows through. One soft wash guide notes that dark spots that stay after proper treatment are usually granule loss, not living algae. Cleaning cannot put granules back. If we see bare patches, exposed fiberglass matting, or a lot of granules piled in your gutters, we will tell you the roof is near the end of its life.

Soft or Damaged Decking

This one is about safety, not looks. A NIOSH review of fatal roof falls found that 27 of the deaths came from workers falling through rotten roofs or roof structures that could not hold their weight. If a roof feels spongy, sags, or shows signs of rot at the eaves or in the attic, we will not walk it. A roofer should inspect and repair the deck first.

Fresh Repairs

If a roofer just patched or replaced part of your roof, give it time. Ask your roofer when it is safe to wash. We will not spray over new work until you tell us it is ready.

What we see	What we do	Who you call next
Active leak or ceiling stain	Pause the cleaning	A roofer
Lifted, cracked, or missing shingles	Pause and document with photos	A roofer, then us
Bare spots, exposed matting	Explain the roof’s condition	A roofer for a replacement quote
Soft or sagging deck	We stay off the roof	A roofer, right away
Fresh repairs	Wait for your go ahead	Us, after your roofer approves

Weather That Makes Us Reschedule

Lafayette is wet and stormy, so we reschedule more than companies in drier places. NOAA’s 1991 to 2020 normals for Lafayette Regional Airport show about 62.8 inches of rain a year. July averages 14 rainy days, while April and October have the fewest, about 7.5 and 7.6.

• Thunder. The National Weather Service says to get indoors when you hear thunder and wait 30 minutes after the last rumble before going back out. We follow that rule on every job.
• Heavy rain. Rain dilutes the solution and makes a roof more slippery. Light mist is one thing. A downpour is a reschedule.
• High wind. Wind blows spray onto plants, cars, and your neighbor’s yard. It also makes ladders and roofs riskier.
• Extreme heat. ARMA says not to let the cleaning solution dry completely on the roof, because that can keep it from rinsing off. On a July afternoon, a roof can dry the solution too fast. We shift to early morning or another day.
• After a hurricane or tropical storm. If there is any chance of damage, we will not climb until the roof has been checked. Our hurricane season roof guide explains what to look for first.

Roofs and Surfaces We Handle With Extra Care

Metal Roofs

Many metal roofs are fine with a gentle, well rinsed wash. But some coatings can react badly to bleach. Industry soft wash guides single out Galvalume, a coated steel, as one to treat with caution. Before we clean any metal roof, we check the type and the maker’s guidance. If we cannot confirm that a method is safe for your coating, we won’t use it.

Tile and Other Fragile Roofs

Tile cracks when walked on the wrong way, and some materials, like wood shake, do not tolerate strong solutions. If we are not set up to clean your roof type safely, we will say so and point you to someone who is.

Roofs We Cannot Reach Safely

Very steep roofs, roofs with no safe ladder access, and roofs close to power lines can be a no for us. No stain is worth a fall.

Requests We Turn Down

• Pressure washing shingles. ARMA says never to use a pressure washer on an asphalt shingle roof, because it causes granule loss and very likely early failure.
• Scrubbing or brushing. ARMA also says to avoid brushes and brooms, because scrubbing can damage the shingle surface.
• Stronger and stronger mixes. More chemical is not better. ARMA says other chemicals or methods need the shingle maker’s approval.
• Promises we cannot keep. We will not guarantee that growth never returns. ARMA says the effect of cleaning is temporary. We will not promise how an insurance company will treat your roof, and we will not say a wash is “100 percent warranty safe.” Check your shingle maker’s terms.

When Your Roof Is Too Old to Clean

If you plan to replace the roof within a year, cleaning may not be worth the money. If the roof is already worn, a wash will not add years to it. In those cases we would rather tell you than take the job.

If your roof is near the end of its life, look at the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program. The Department of Insurance says it grants up to $10,000 to eligible homeowners to upgrade roofs to the FORTIFIED standard, and Lafayette Parish is on its list. Rules change, so check ldi.la.gov/fortifyhomes.

What Happens When We Say No

1. We explain what we found, in plain words and with photos.
2. We tell you who to call. Usually that is a roofer.
3. We do not charge for the estimate or the visit.
4. We come back when the roof is ready. Fix the problem, send us a message, and we will check the roof again and schedule your cleaning.

How to Get Your Roof Ready for a Yes

• Fix any leaks or damaged shingles first.
• Trim branches over the roof so we can reach it and the sun can too.
• Tell us your roof’s age and shingle brand if you know them, plus any warranty paperwork.
• Move cars, pool toys, and pets away from the house on the day.
• Take a few photos of what worries you, and send them with your request.

How to Spot an Honest Roof Cleaner

When you compare Lafayette roof cleaning companies, look for four things: a company that explains when it would say no, one that never uses a pressure washer on shingles, one that carries proof of insurance, and one that gives a firm written quote after seeing the roof. A company that says yes to every roof, every day, in every kind of weather, is telling you something about itself.