Soft wash specialists serving Lee & Collier counties. Safe for tile, shingle, and metal roofs — guaranteed to remove algae, black streaks, and mold without damage.
Those dark stains creeping across Florida roofs are Gloeocapsa Magma — a cyanobacteria that thrives in SWFL's heat and humidity. It's not cosmetic. Left untreated, it retains moisture that breaks down shingles and tiles, shortening your roof's lifespan by years. Alongside algae, mold, mildew, and lichen create root systems that physically lift roofing material. In Southwest Florida's tropical climate, a roof that isn't cleaned every 2–3 years is actively deteriorating — often invisibly, until the damage is expensive to reverse.
Soft washing is the only method recommended by the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) for residential roofs. It uses low-pressure water — similar to a garden hose — combined with biodegradable cleaning solution that kills biological growth at the root. Pressure washing, by contrast, strips protective granules from asphalt shingles, can crack and dislodge tile, forces water under flashing and into roof decking, and voids most roofing manufacturer warranties. Results from pressure washing also return within 3–6 months because the root is never treated.
Rain Exterior Home Service provides professional soft wash roof cleaning throughout Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs, Sanibel, and surrounding Lee and Collier County communities. We clean concrete tile, clay tile, asphalt shingles, metal panel roofs, and low-slope modified bitumen roofs. Each type requires different solution concentration and rinsing technique, which our technicians assess during the pre-job inspection.
We work same-day or next-day for HOA compliance notices. Most HOA roof violation notices in Lee and Collier counties relate to algae streaking or moss growth — exactly what soft wash eliminates. We provide before/after photo documentation and a written service record that you can submit directly to your HOA or insurance carrier. A professional roof cleaning costs $350–$800. A roof replacement in SWFL costs $15,000–$35,000. Regular cleaning is the highest-ROI exterior maintenance investment you can make.
Results
How It Works
We walk the property and inspect the roof before starting — checking for damaged tiles, missing flashing, and the level of biological growth. This informs our solution mix and ensures no repairs are needed before cleaning.
We pre-soak all landscaping, cover AC units and vents, and confirm the work area is clear. Our biodegradable solution is plant-safe, but we still protect everything as a standard practice before every job.
We apply our biodegradable solution at low pressure, working from ridge to eave. The solution kills algae, mold, mildew, and bacteria on contact. A short dwell time lets it penetrate and fully eliminate root systems.
We rinse the roof and all surrounding surfaces, then walk the property with you for a final review. You receive before/after photos and a written service record — useful for HOA documentation or insurance purposes.
Common Questions
Soft washing uses low-pressure water (similar to a garden hose) combined with biodegradable cleaning solutions that kill algae, mold, and mildew at the root. Pressure washing uses high-force water that can crack tiles, strip granules from shingles, and void manufacturer warranties. In Southwest Florida, where Gloeocapsa Magma algae grows aggressively year-round, soft washing is the only method recommended by the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) — it treats the problem at its source instead of just blasting the surface temporarily.
Roof cleaning in Fort Myers typically ranges from $350–$800 for an average single-story home (1,800–2,500 sq ft), depending on roof size, pitch, level of algae buildup, and roof type. Tile roofs and two-story homes are at the higher end of the range. We provide free estimates with exact pricing before any work begins — no surprises.
In Southwest Florida's humid tropical climate, most roofs need cleaning every 2–3 years. The combination of year-round warmth, humidity, and heavy summer rainfall creates ideal conditions for algae and mold growth. Homes under tree canopies, near canals, or in shaded areas may need annual cleaning. A good indicator: if you can see dark streaking or green growth from the street, it's overdue.
No. Soft washing applies solution at garden-hose pressure (60–100 PSI), which is far below the threshold that damages roofing materials. High-pressure washing — which we never use on roofs — can crack or dislodge tile, strip the protective granules from asphalt shingles, and void manufacturer warranties. Our process is safe for concrete tile, clay tile, asphalt shingles, metal panels, and low-slope roofs.
Call us. We respond to HOA-related jobs the same day or next day and provide documentation (before/after photos, service invoice) you can submit directly to your HOA. Most HOA roof compliance notices in Lee and Collier counties relate to algae streaking or moss growth — exactly what soft wash eliminates. We've helped hundreds of SWFL homeowners clear violations quickly and within deadline.
What Homeowners Say
"Had black algae all over my tile roof for years. Rain came out, soft washed the whole thing in a few hours, and it looked brand new. My HOA letter said I had 30 days — they had it done in 3. Highly recommend."
"I was worried they'd use a pressure washer and crack my tiles. They explained the soft wash process upfront and showed me before/after photos at the end. The difference was incredible. Will use them every time."
Serving Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Bonita Springs, and all of Southwest Florida. Most jobs quoted within 24 hours.
Rain Exterior Home Service
We Regularly Serve Homeowners in Southwest Florida: