Tile Roof Soft Washing
Stonebridge

Recent Stonebridge listings show tile roofs on homes from 1987 to 1999. Unless a roof has been replaced, that tile has weathered for decades, and a roof that hasn’t been treated in a while may carry heavy growth along with the black streaking.

Ridge mortar on older roofs weathers, and tile of that age may be hard to match if it cracks. A soft wash depends on the solution and dwell time rather than force, so we can clean a heavily stained older roof while keeping pressure low.

Many homes sit by the course’s lakes and water hazards. Slopes facing the water stay damp after dew and tend to streak first, so we treat the whole roof for an even finish.

Ten neighborhoods, many roof shapes. Stonebridge mixes garden homes, coach homes, attached and detached villas and single-family estate homes across ten neighborhoods. A detached estate can have a complex roof with many hips, while attached villas share one roof surface, so we plan each type its own way.

Water on 15 of 18 holes. The par-71 course has water hazards on 15 of its 18 holes and more than 41 acres of water in all. Homes backing onto that water get morning mist and slow-drying slopes, which is where algae usually gets a foothold first.

An Audubon sanctuary course. Stonebridge is an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, recertified in 2020, and the club runs early-morning bird tours. We keep runoff on lawns and away from lake edges, rinse plants before and after, and avoid working near nesting areas the club has marked.

The tile maker’s limits. Eagle Roofing Products, which manufactures concrete tile, says its roofs should be cleaned with water only at pressures no higher than 1,200 psi, because more can alter the tile’s pH and discolor it. For heavy soiling it allows a concrete-compatible cleaner, diluted as far as possible. We stay well below that limit.

What causes the streaks. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association names Gloeocapsa magma as probably the most widespread algae behind roof discoloration, most common in the Gulf States. Owens Corning adds that it arrives on the air and that green algae and moss are separate growths.

Results are temporary. ARMA cautions that cleaning does not last forever and the discoloration may recur. So we won’t quote you a lifespan for the clean. Lake-facing roofs may darken sooner, and dated photos from each visit help you see when yours is due again.

Careful on wet tile. Eagle describes walking a wet tile roof as difficult and dangerous and advises using a licensed, insured contractor with tile experience and fall protection. We keep foot traffic low, step only on supported tile and work from the eaves where the slope allows.

Notes for your roofer. Eagle recommends routine professional inspections for cracked tile and drainage problems. We are not roofers, but while the roof is clean we photograph cracked or slipped tile, worn ridge mortar and clogged valleys and include them in your record.

Coach homes. Coach-home roofs are cleaned as one building. Coordinating with neighbors or the association means the whole roof is done in one visit and the color matches from end to end.

A Thornbrooke example. One recent Thornbrooke listing, on Pondside Lane, was a 1997 ranch of about 1,828 square feet with an extended screened lanai, golf and lake views and roll-down storm shutters. Before we treat a roof like that, we close the shutters’ housings off from spray and pre-wet the screens below the eaves.

Municipal irrigation. Recent listings show municipal irrigation here, so the orange well-water staining common elsewhere is less of a concern. Our rinse still covers walls and walks below the drip line so no streaks are left.

Pools under the eaves. Many homes have screened pools beside the roofline. We cover pool equipment, keep solution out of the water and rinse the cage frames and deck after the roof is done.

Gate access. Stonebridge’s gatehouse is staffed around the clock. We register with you or your manager beforehand so the crew is cleared on arrival, and you don’t need to be home.

Bundled golf and busy mornings. Membership comes with the home, so the course, the five Har-Tru tennis courts and the two-mile walking and biking loop are in use from early morning. We park off the loop where we can, keep ladders off the cart paths behind homes and keep rinse water from reaching the course.

Estate homes and pricing. Most one-story homes here fall under our single-story tile price, from $299. Larger estate homes with several wings, hips and valleys move to the complex roof row, and two-story coach buildings are quoted from $399. We confirm the right row on site.

Ridge lines on older roofs. Mortared ridges and hips on 1980s and 1990s roofs often look darker than the field tile. The tile roof plus ridge cap treatment, from $349, gives them extra attention; see our tile roof cleaning page.