Exterior Cleaning Blog

What Are the Black Streaks on My Roof — and How Do I Get Rid of Them?

Those dark streaks running down your asphalt shingles aren't dirt or water damage — they're a living algae called Gloeocapsa magma. Here's what you need to know.

This airborne algae feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles and spreads rapidly in humid climates like Georgia's. Left untreated, it can significantly shorten your roof's lifespan — and tank your curb appeal.

The solution: Soft washing with a sodium hypochlorite-based solution kills the algae completely. Pressure washing alone won't do it — the algae will grow back within weeks. A proper soft wash keeps roofs clean for 3–6 years.

5 Signs Your Gutters Need Cleaning Right Now

Don't wait for water damage to tell you your gutters are clogged. Watch for these warning signs:

1. Water pouring over the sides during rain instead of through downspouts
2. Sagging or gutters pulling away from the fascia board
3. Visible plant growth sprouting from gutters
4. Dark streaks or staining on siding below the gutterline
5. Birds or insects congregating near your roofline

Georgia homeowners should aim for at least two cleanings per year — spring and fall — to stay ahead of pine needle and leaf buildup.

Pressure Washing Before Selling: Why It's One of the Best ROI Home Improvements

Listing a home? Exterior cleaning consistently ranks among the highest ROI improvements you can make — at a fraction of the cost of renovations.

Studies show that strong curb appeal can add 5–10% to a home's perceived value and significantly reduce days on market. A clean driveway, fresh-washed siding, and spotless gutters signal a well-maintained home to buyers from the moment they pull up.

Many of our Lake Oconee and Madison area clients schedule a full exterior wash and gutter clean before every listing — and their agents say it makes a measurable difference.

Should You Rent a Pressure Washer or Hire a Professional?

Renting a pressure washer seems like a money-saver — but it often isn't. Here's a quick breakdown:

DIY risks: Consumer rentals typically max at 2,000–2,500 PSI, often insufficient for tough stains. Incorrect distance or angle can etch concrete, damage siding, or void roofing warranties. You're also responsible for transporting, handling, and returning the equipment.

Pro advantages: Commercial equipment reaches 3,500–4,000 PSI with heated water. We bring the right machine for each surface, handle setup and cleanup, and carry liability insurance if anything goes wrong. For most homeowners, professional cleaning saves time, delivers better results, and costs less than you'd think.

Why Georgia Homes Get So Dirty So Fast — and What to Do About It

If you've noticed your home's exterior getting grimy faster than you'd expect, you're not imagining it. Northeast Georgia's combination of humidity, pine pollen, red clay dust, and dense tree canopy creates ideal conditions for rapid buildup on siding, driveways, and roofs.

Pollen season in Madison and the Lake Oconee area hits hard in spring — coating every surface in yellow-green dust that sticks and accumulates. Red clay from unpaved roads and construction sites gets tracked and splashed onto concrete and siding year-round. And Georgia's warm, wet summers give algae, mold, and mildew everything they need to thrive.

Most Northeast Georgia homeowners benefit from at least one professional exterior cleaning per year — with high-canopy or road-adjacent properties often needing two. The good news: a thorough soft wash and pressure wash can reverse months of buildup in a single visit.

How to Get Oil Stains Off a Concrete Driveway (and When to Call a Pro)

Oil stains are one of the most common and stubborn driveway problems homeowners face. The longer they sit, the deeper they penetrate — making DIY removal increasingly difficult over time.

Fresh stains (under 24 hours): Absorb as much as possible with kitty litter or baking soda, then scrub with dish soap and hot water. You may be able to lift most of it yourself.

Set stains (days to weeks old): Consumer degreasers and scrubbing can help, but results are inconsistent. The porous nature of concrete makes complete removal difficult without professional equipment.

Old or large stains: This is where professional hot water pressure washing makes a real difference. Our 3,500 PSI hot water system combined with commercial degreasers can significantly reduce or eliminate stains that consumer equipment simply can't touch. Hot water breaks down oil at the molecular level in a way cold water cannot.

Exterior Cleaning for Lake Oconee Homes: What Lakefront Properties Need

Lakefront and lake-adjacent properties around Lake Oconee face unique exterior cleaning challenges. The combination of moisture from the lake, heavy tree coverage, and Georgia's heat creates accelerated growth of algae, mildew, and biological staining on every surface.

Dock areas, boat slips, and waterfront hardscaping develop slippery algae growth that's both unsightly and a safety hazard. Roofs on shaded lakefront lots can develop significant algae and moss growth within a single season. And lake-view windows covered in mineral deposits and oxidation dramatically reduce the views you paid for.

We serve Reynolds Lake Oconee, Great Waters, and surrounding Lake Oconee communities. Most of our lake area clients schedule an annual full-property cleaning each spring — before peak season — to keep their homes looking their best for family and guests.

Soft Wash vs. Pressure Wash: Which Does Your Roof Actually Need?

This is one of the most common questions we get — and the answer matters for your roof's health and your warranty coverage.

Pressure washing a roof is almost always the wrong choice. The high pressure lifts shingle granules, damages flashing, can force water under shingles, and will void most manufacturer warranties. It may look clean immediately — but it accelerates shingle wear significantly.

Soft washing uses low pressure and a biodegradable cleaning solution to kill algae, mold, and mildew at the root — not just blast it off the surface. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) specifically recommends this method. Results last 3–5 years vs. weeks with pressure washing alone.

At Piedmont Exterior, we only use the soft wash method on roofs — no exceptions. It's the right way to clean a roof in Madison, GA and throughout Northeast Georgia, and we won't cut corners on your biggest investment.