Roof cleaning & moss removal
Soft-wash roof cleaning & moss removal across Greater Vancouver
Moss and algae on asphalt or cedar shingles aren’t just cosmetic. They hold moisture against the roof, lift the edges, and quietly shorten the working life of the surface. Our low-pressure soft wash kills the spores, lifts the staining, and leaves the shingle granules where they belong.
The problem
Why Greater Vancouver roofs get mossy
The Pacific Northwest has the climate moss spores have been waiting for. Long wet winters, mild temperatures, and a tree canopy that drops a steady rain of organic material: that is the recipe. North-facing slopes that never quite dry out, conifer-shaded yards in North and West Vancouver, ravine-side lots in Burnaby all share the same conditions. Moss colonises within a season or two.
What it does next is the part most homeowners don’t see. The moss mat holds water against the shingle surface long after the rain has stopped. That water expands and contracts through every freeze-thaw cycle, working under the shingle edges, lifting them, loosening the granules that protect the asphalt from UV. Cedar warps. Asphalt loses years off its lifespan. Eventually the underlayment goes, and the leak follows. Cleaning early (and gently) is much cheaper than replacing late.
Our process
Our four-step roof cleaning process
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01
On-site inspection
We walk the property, check shingle condition, look for tile or flashing damage, and note nearby plantings that need protection before we start.
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02
Surface-matched solution
Soft-wash cleaner mixed for your shingle material: different chemistry for asphalt and cedar. Plants, pets and outdoor furniture pre-rinsed and protected.
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03
Low-pressure rinse
Garden-hose pressure only across the shingles. Never the high-pressure wand that strips granules, lifts cedar fibres, and voids manufacturer warranties.
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04
Optional zinc strip
A simple zinc or copper strip installed near the ridge slowly releases ions when it rains, preventing moss regrowth for years. Worth the small extra cost on roofs under heavy canopy.
The single most important word in that process is low-pressure. A surprising number of contractors still walk a high-pressure wand across a Greater Vancouver roof and call it cleaning. That is precisely what voids a manufacturer’s warranty and strips years off the shingle. If a contractor cannot tell you the pressure they will use on your roof, do not let them on it.
Recent work
Before and after
Soft-wash technique on asphalt-shingle roofs: granules untouched, moss lifted, flashing detail intact.
Where we work
Roof cleaning across all ten Greater Vancouver cities
We clean roofs from White Rock to West Vancouver, the entire Greater Vancouver service area. North Vancouver cedar-shingle homes near the watershed, Burnaby roofs under heavy tree canopy, low-pitched townhouse strata in Richmond, post-2000 luxury rebuilds across the West Side: different conditions within an hour’s drive, all needing soft-wash care. Each city’s climate shapes the visit; see our Richmond service area page for an example of how the service adapts.
Common questions
Roof cleaning questions we hear often
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Is soft washing safe for cedar shingles?
Yes. Cedar takes a different cleaner mix and a shorter dwell time than asphalt, but the principle is the same: low pressure, the right solution, a thorough rinse. We never use the high-pressure wand on cedar; it can lift fibres and damage the soft wood underneath.
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How often should a Greater Vancouver roof be cleaned?
For most homes, every three to five years. Sooner if you are under heavy tree canopy, on a north-facing slope, or near the rainforest edges of North or West Vancouver. We can tell you on the estimate visit whether you need cleaning now or can wait another season.
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Will moss removal void my roof warranty?
No, as long as it is done with low-pressure soft wash. Asphalt-shingle manufacturers explicitly allow this method. High-pressure power washing, however, does void most warranties. It strips the protective granules that protect the asphalt from UV. Ask any contractor what pressure they will use before letting them on your roof.
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Do you walk on the roof during cleaning?
Only when the pitch and material safely allow it. Most jobs are done from a ladder using an extension wand, which is safer for the technician and gentler on the shingles. Steep tile roofs or fragile slate are cleaned entirely from ladders.
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What is the difference between cleaning and replacing a roof?
Cleaning extends a healthy roof by years. Replacement is needed when granule loss, curling, or underlayment failure has already gone too far. We will give you an honest read on the estimate visit. If your roof needs replacement, cleaning is wasted money and we will say so.