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Moss Roof Cleaning – #1 Best Way To Remove Moss from a Roof

Moss Roof Cleaning – #1 Best Way To Remove Moss from a Roof

by | Aug 7, 2021 | Pressure Washing for Homeowners

When I speak to home owners about moss Roof Cleaning, I’m very open about the fact that the black streaks we normally treat are harmless and doesn’t effect the life of the shingles. The algae causing the black streaks on your roof is actually a cyanobacteria called Gloeocapsa Magma.

Moss or lichen on the other hand will cause damage to your roof if left untreated.  A moss roof cleaning is necessary because moss on a roof is caused by lots of moisture and lots of shade. The moss spores arrive on your roof carried by wind or animals and can easily spread throughout neighborhoods. Unlike algae, moss can be detrimental to asphalt shingle performance.

Moss can thrive on roofs because it’s a non-vascular plant that obtains water through its leaves and not through a root system. Here in North America, moss tends to grow on north facing roof planes that receive less direct sunlight and stay damp longer than south facing planes.

Addition moss roof cleaning factors include trees that overhang a roof constantly shade any sunlight and our humid coastal climate helps to holds in moisture and acts as a food source for moss. All these conditions create the perfect environment for moss. Cutting back trees is recommended if you have moss growing on your roof. This will let some sunlight in and prevent it from growing back once cleaned

Moss Roof Cleaning

Moss Roof Cleaning Recommendations

According to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, Moss can cause the leading edges of the shingles to lift or curl, which increases the risk of shingle blow-off during wind events. In severe cases, moss build-up can cause lateral water movement resulting in moisture damage to the roof deck or may even cause leaks.

The most effective method of moss roof cleaning begins with a light brushing of the roof with a stiff bristle brush to remove the large growth. Next, a strong antimicrobial mix of six percent liquid chlorine bleach and water is applied to ensure the entire plant is treated. Moss roof cleaning requires more work then cleaning the algae causing black streaks normally encounter here in Hampton Roads Virginia.

Moss roof cleaning is more costly because it has to be manually brushed to remove the larger chunks before treating with the potent antimicrobial cleaning solution. This means we must access the roof increasing danger to employees and consequently, increasing the price. This is especially true for steeper roof pitches. Some applications may even require a man-lift.

Next we apply a strong antimicrobial cleaning solution with a softwash sprayer and allow the solution to dwell on the roof surface for 15 to 20 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with low pressure water. We’re sure to take proper precautions to protect landscaping and surrounding areas from the cleaning solution runoff.

Do you have moss or those unsightly black streaks ruining the appearance of your home? The sooner you take care of it the cheaper the cost so don’t wait, if you see moss or lichen growing on your roof, call your Softwash Super Hero.

We’ll get a quote out to you instantly to bring back your home’s natural appearance while also protecting your largest investment.

 

Call Neptune Clean today: 757-384-0411

What is moss on a roof and how do you remove it?

 Moss can grow on all kinds of roofs, no matter how new or old, shingled, or flat. Here are some tips on how to clean the moss off your roof, whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring someone else to do it for you.

Why moss grows on roofs

Moss grows well in shady, damp areas like roofs. Not only does moss look bad, but it’s also quite dangerous to your health. Moss growing on your roof can increase your chances of getting sick because moss gives off spores and encourages lichen growth, which can contain harmful bacteria. It’s important to keep your home clean by removing moss from your roof regularly. Not to mention it can destroy your shingles.

Maintaining your home can help prevent moss growth

One of your best bets for preventing moss growth is to keep up with regular cleaning. Have your roof treated at least once per year of you have heavy tree coverage. Trees blocking the sun is keeping your home’s roof from drying it out completely. Consider trimming back trees to let a little light in. 

If it does grow, here’s what to do about moss

Moss roof cleaning is dangerous so it’s best left to a professional. The process to remove moss combines manually brushing off the moss and chemically treating your roof depending on where it grows. Chemical methods can damage your roof’s surface, so be sure to read up before using them. To prevent moss from returning to your home’s exterior surfaces consider the advice from the previous paragraph.

How long does moss removal take

Moss removal really depends upon how heavy the growth is and how much roof is affected. Mosses are epiphytes—plants that grow attached to other plants but get their water and nutrients from moisture in the air or in soil, rather than by drawing nourishment directly from their host plant. In this case, the host plant are the shingles on your roof.

How much does moss removal cost?

Moss removal costs vary depending how long it will take to remove. Roof work is dangerous so it will be expense to have professionally removed. If moss has been growing for several years, chances are good that significant mold has built up under and around it, which means you’ll likely need to hire an experienced professional for a thorough cleaning. If your roof is not steep, moss roof cleaning can be accomplished by someone with no experience whatsoever—all it takes is some elbow grease and time. Keep in mind that moss may grow back quickly if moisture or mold persists in your roof’s shingles.

Is Neptune Clean the Best Pressure Washing Company Near me?

Is Neptune Clean the Best Pressure Washing Company Near me?

by | Apr 12, 2021 | Pressure Washing for Homeowners

pressure washing company near me

Ever wonder “Who’s the best pressure washing company near me”? Neptune Clean Blog has been included in Feedspot’s Top 30 Pressure Washing Blogs on the web. We’re honored Feedspot has taken the time to review our articles and include us in their top 30 Pressure Washing Blogs. We created our blog to deliver meaningful content that helps homeowners understand what it takes to keep their home clean even if that means helping them do it themselves.

Our goal is to provide information that is based in fact without marketing spin designed to help us get new customers. When you type the question, “best pressure washing service near me” into a search engine, we strive to be your 1st choice. If you noticed, our blog post titles mostly begin with a question and the article is written to answer that question in the most effective and factual way possible. Check out one of our informational block post here. If a homeowner learns enough from one of our articles to help them clean their own home, that’s OK with us. We just want them to get great results and be safe.

Who’s The Best Pressure Washing Company Near Me?

Because pressure washers can be dangerous, so one of the most important things we always try to convey about running a pressure washing business is to do no harm to ourselves or our customers’ homes and landscaping. A DIY homeowner needs to understand the same thing.

Water under pressures of up to 4000 PSI can do some real damage to skin. Worst case it can literally cut off someone’s finger if used improperly. The cleaners we use are safe for the environment but if used improperly, they can destroy plants or grass. The last thing we want is for a DIY homeowner to do is have a clean home and dead, brown grass because they used a cleaner in the wrong way.

I feel that’s why Feedspot put Neptune Clean in their top 30. For Neptune Clean, it’s always been about serving people, not about making profits. If you help enough other people get what they want, you’ll always get what you want.

Call Neptune Clean today: 757-384-0411

What Are Pressure Washing Prices for Houses?

What Are Pressure Washing Prices for Houses?

by | Feb 14, 2021 | Pressure Washing for Homeowners

Pressure Washing Costs

Who Has The Best Pressure Washing Prices in Town?

You’d think answering this question would be pretty cut-and-dry but as a small business owner, I’m compelled to tell you the whole story. I think there’s a better question then who has the best pressure washing prices. I think a better question is; who has the best value proposition? Our goal is to deliver a value proposition that exceeds your expectations which is really what you’re after. The highest quality service at an affordable price. To do this, we spent a lot of money before we earn our first dollar.

Neptune Clean’s strategy to deliver the best pressure washing prices in town was on our mind from the earliest stages of business planning. Every decision was based on delivery a high quality value proposition at a fair price while earning a profit. After all, earning a profit for the services we deliver is the reason we went into business. 

Startup costs are a significant one-time expense while operating costs are an on-going financial burden that allows us to be available when you need us. We also invested considerable time learning every aspect of the exterior cleaning industry and the best practices that align with our strategy.

Before you happened upon our sweet Neptune Clean website, we spent a bunch of money and time creating it as well. This is also an ongoing endeavor as we strive to bring you new and meaningful content like this article. Then we had to spend money on advertising so you could find us. Before we can show up at your home and provide top-notch service, we had to get the proper supplies and equipment. Our cleaning technicians must be trained and get paid so there are training and labor costs. Oh, did I forget to mention the cost of licenses and insurance?

Pressure Washing Virginia Beach

All of these things factor into what we have to charge driving up pressure washing prices. Luckily for you, the consumer, I have to compete with all the other pressure washing services in my market and remain competitive. This drives costs down. Also, the longer we’re in business and the Neptune Clean brand becomes more recognizable the less we have to spend on advertising bringing costs down.

Finally, the types of services you need will factor into pricing. It’s easy to clean vinyl siding which will cost less than cleaning gloeocapsa magma (roof algae) from your roof. Roofs are not as accessible; the cleaning solution is more expensive and quite frankly its dangerous. Decks and fences made of wood are harder to clean then most composite materials.

Ok I think you get my point when considering how much for pressure washing services.  According to Home Advisor, the average cost of having your home cleaned by a professional pressure washing service company is $288. Nationally, costs range from $187 to $388. The industry standard for calculating pressure washing costs is based on the square footage of your home. This cost can range between $0.15 – $0.75 per square feet.

Here in Hampton Roads Virginia, you can expect to pay between $0.12 – $0.15 per square feet. The factors that play into fine-tuning the cost down for our area are the homes construction material (siding type), accessibility, waterproofing prep-work, vegetation, and obstructions.

If your home is vinyl sided, easily accessible with limited plants and I don’t have to move anything before cleaning the price will be less. If your home is made of brick with custom made wood doors and brass doorknobs that need waterproof protection, the pre-work will drive the cost higher.

Lastly, technology has help to drive costs down a bit through the use of applications like Google Earth or Zillow. Nine times out of 10 we can provide an estimate for services without ever stepping foot on the property. Zillow provides fairly accurate square footage of your home as long as it was at one time listed on an MLS listing service. Google Earth is fantastic for measure the square footage of roofs or decks or the linear footage of gutters or fences.

Inclosing our discussion on pressure washing prices, we have a minimum charge on the smallest of jobs. This is because we have to cover the costs of showing up at your home. If we didn’t, we would lose money and go out of business. The best way to save is to take advantage of bundling our cleaning services. Have your home, roof, and driveway cleaned at the same time and we’ll through in the cleaning of your lawn furniture for free.

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#1 Roof Cleaning Cost Question; Can You Spot Clean My Roof?

#1 Roof Cleaning Cost Question; Can You Spot Clean My Roof?

by | Jan 18, 2021 | Pressure Washing for Homeowners, Pressure Washing Service FAQ

What Does Roof Cleaning Cost?

I get this question often and my answer is always the same. Customers ask me to treat only the section of roof that has the worst algae growth. In most cases it’s the north- or east-facing side of the home. I understand the question. Homeowners are always looking to save money and why treat the entire roof if only half of it has an algae outbreak. There’s only one problem.

Like I’ve mentioned in previous articles about Roof Cleaning, the algae causing the black streaks on your roof is actually a cyanobacteria called Gloeocapsa Magma. Once the bacteria become noticeable, the stains will continue to worsen as the bacteria colony grows with gravity pulling it downward resulting in smear-like stains running down your roof.

The spores are spread through the air and deposited on your roof. This means that it can be present on the entire roof but may only thrive on the north- or east-facing sides. If you spot-treat what you can see, what you can’t see will soon spread to the recently treated areas. So, no I do not spot-treat roofs. If I did, my customers would be calling me back in a few short months to ask me why the black streaks are back.

Roof Cleaning Cost Factors

Roof cleaning Gloeocapsa Magma is pretty straight forward. A strong 6 percent mix of sodium hypochlorite and a sticky surfactant will do the trick 99% of the time. We spray roofs using a special soft wash (roof pump) to apply just the right amount of cleaning solution. The size, height, and roof pitch will also be a factor in roof cleaning cost.

We always recommend cleaning the entire roof as algae is always spreading but it’s not always seen. Better to be safe than sorry if you’re going to spend the money.

Do you have those unsightly black streaks ruining the appearance of your home? Call the King of Curb Appeal to get a quote on bringing back your home’s natural appearance.

 

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Call Neptune Clean today: 757-384-0411

For more information about roof cleaning click here!

The Best Way to Remove Mold From Vinyl Siding

The Best Way to Remove Mold From Vinyl Siding

by | Jan 16, 2021 | Pressure Washing for Homeowners, Pressure Washing Service FAQ

How to Remove Mold From Siding

The reason I started Neptune Clean is to remove mold from siding. Hampton Roads is home to lots of military folks who often become first-time homeowners while their stationed here. I often get the question; “why is my siding turning green”? The first words out of my mouth are usually, “welcome to Hampton Roads”. Well, if you’d like to know what’s growing on your home’s siding and roof, keep reading.

The unsightly organisms that grow on the roofs and siding can be moss, algae, lichen, and sometimes mold. All of these can create black streaks, brown or greenish blotches on your home. From a distance, it’s hard for a casual observer to know exactly what it is so I’ll break it down to help you understand.

Before I get into the reasons why it happens, understand Neptune Clean can remove mold from siding when you’re ready. Mosses are classified as plants and use photosynthesis which turns sunlight and water into food they need. Algae, according to the University of Florida, are in the plant kingdom, but technically they are not plants.

Algae range in size from microscopic to meters long like what you see growing on the side of your home as the algae spreads causing huge green, unsightly patches. These organisms may look like true plants, but unlike plants, algae do not have roots or true stems and leaves.

Algae, like Moss use photosynthesis as do lichens, which are combination organisms that have algae or bacteria living within a structure made of fungus, with the fungus dependent on the food the algae or bacteria make via photosynthesis. Mildew are solely fungi, also an independent kingdom from a botanist’s perspective. They get energy by feeding on organic matter where they live. They don’t use photosynthesis, so they don’t need sunlight that’s why you will most likely see mold or mildew living inside walls or crawlspaces where there’s plenty of moisture and no light.

Our climate here in Hampton Roads is the perfect combination of precipitation and humidity for the growth of algae, moss, and lichen which is what you are most likely to find growing on the outside of your home. Don’t let your home be a victim to our climate. We remove mold from siding every day.

Click here to get an instant quote to remove mold from siding! If you’d like to read more about how to remove mold from siding click here.

Call or Text Neptune Clean Today! 757-384-0411

How to Remove Roof Algae

 Let’s begin on the top of your home. The most common type of roof algae, Gloeocapsa Magma or blue green algae protects itself from damaging ultraviolet rays by producing a dark pigmented sheath. The algae discoloration typically begins as small spots on your roof then quickly transforms into streaks on the roof plane. By the time the algae are visible, its likely been present for several months or longer.

 The safest way to clean roof algae is to simply call Neptune Clean! Removing roof algae is difficult even for the experienced DIY’er. Ladders are one of the leading causes of emergency room visits and walking around on a steep roof is the safest thing to do either. The only effective way to remove it is to apply a strong cleaning

Call or Text Neptune Clean Today! 757-384-0411

Gutter Guards Installation

Gutter Guards Installation

by | Jan 12, 2021 | Pressure Washing for Homeowners

Should You Have Gutter Guards Installation?

I guess that depends upon whether you like to get on a ladder to remove the leaves constantly filling your gutters. In the fall, here in costal Virginia, gutters need to be cleared out every 4 weeks if not sooner to keep them from getting clogged and overflowing. Worst case, water can back up into your fascia boards and soffit. 

Once they get clogged and it begins to rain, the problems begin to compound. Debris keeps water from reaching the downspouts and forces it into areas you don’t want water.

In a perfect world I’d have to say yes, you need gutter guards installation. The main reason for having clean gutters is prevention of serious damage from to rot. Getting on a ladder multiple times a year is not only annoying it’s dangerous. Ladder fall injuries are in the top 3 reasons for emergency room visits.

Clogged gutters can cause water to backup and drain into your eaves. The water has nowhere to go and sits for extended periods of time. This moisture causes fascia boards or eaves to rot. In extreme cases, water may find its way into the walls of your home causing mildew or worse, mold inside your walls.

The Best Gutter Guards Not Found in Home Stores!

Don’t rely on the inferior products you find at the big box home stores. I’m not discouraging my DIY capable homeowners from attempting the installation themselves. The problem is that I have not found one retail to consumer quality gutter guards that are effective. The best gutter guards installation are going to be sold to contractors by wholesale building suppliers. You might find better quality gutter covers on Amazon but I’d do some heavy research into the reviews before sinking hundreds of dollars based on faith.

If you need some gutters cleaned or like to push the easy button and install gutter guards and never worry about cleaning gutters again, push the easy-button and call Neptune Clean! Click here to read a homeowners advice on gutter guards?

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gutter guards installation

Gutter Guards Installation

Don’t let this happen to your home! Click here for more information on gutter guard installation