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HAM LAKE ROOF WASHING
Roof washing in Ham Lake, MN
A no-pressure soft wash that kills the streaks, moss and lichen on Ham Lake roofs, the way shingle manufacturers direct.
The dark streaks running down Ham Lake roofs are not dirt or shade. They are a colony of algae living on the limestone inside your shingles. Glass House kills it the way the shingle manufacturers direct: with a no-pressure soft wash, never a pressure washer.
On shaded acre lots under mature oaks, that algae spreads quickly, and over time it strips the granules that protect a roof. Glass House is based right here in Ham Lake, off Austin Street, and the person who looks at your roof is the person who treats it.
ROOF WASHING WARRANTY
Free re-wash of the affected areas in year one. Half cost in year two.
★ Rated 4.9 on Google · 44 reviews
Insured to $2M
Owner-operated
Based in Ham Lake
SHARE & SAVE
15%
+
15%
YOU
YOUR NEIGHBOR
Book the same day as a neighbor and you both get 15% off. Just ask when you book.
WHY ROOFS STREAK HERE
What is actually growing on your roof
Not dirt, but a living colony
The streaks are Gloeocapsa magma, a blue-green algae that arrives as an airborne spore and spreads from roof to roof. Asphalt shingles are made with a limestone filler, and that limestone is exactly what it feeds on. The dark color is the protective shell the colony grows against the sun.
Where shade and damp meet
It settles where a roof stays wet longest: north and east slopes, and anything under a tree. Ham Lake's acre lots are old oak savanna, so many roofs spend half the day in shade. Homes near Coon Lake, Lake Netta and the wetland pockets sit in damper air and grow it faster.
Moss and lichen come next
The same damp shade invites moss and lichen. Moss holds water like a sponge and lifts shingle edges. Lichen roots into the surface, so when it lets go, it takes granules with it. A Minnesota winter then drives water under a lifted edge, where it freezes and pries the shingle up further.
Why it shortens a roof
The granules on a shingle are its sunscreen, protecting the asphalt from UV light. As the algae eats the limestone and holds moisture against the shingle, the granules start letting go. Once they are gone, the asphalt dries out, cracks and curls, and the roof ages years ahead of schedule.
Sources: City of Ham Lake, History of Ham Lake and Oak Wilt; Minnesota DNR lake pages (Coon Lake, Ham Lake).
HOW WE WASH ROOFS
Chemistry does the work. Pressure never touches your shingles.
The treatment goes on as a fine mist with a surfactant, an additive that helps it cling to the shingles, and it kills the growth where it lives instead of blasting at the surface.
01
What the manufacturers ask for
GAF, Owens Corning and CertainTeed all publish instructions for cleaning algae, and each describes a diluted bleach solution, a short dwell and a low-pressure rinse. That is soft washing. ARMA, the manufacturers' association, warns against power washers, brushes and brooms on roof algae. The manufacturers are describing our process.
02
Protecting your shingle warranty
Shingle warranties run 25 to 50 years, and the manufacturers' own cleaning instructions describe how those shingles should be cleaned. Pressure washing blasts granules off, and a manufacturer can tell pressure-wash damage from normal weathering. Following the published method is the safest way to clean a roof under warranty.
03
Often the rain does the rinsing
On many roofs the treatment is left on and the next rain rinses it, the gentlest rinse possible for the granules. Each rain reactivates the treatment, so the growth keeps dying and releasing, and the roof keeps brightening for weeks after we leave.
04
Walk-around before, photos after
Every online quote is verified in person with a walk-around, so the mix suits your roof and any concerns are raised before work starts. Every job ends with a walkthrough and before and after photos, which also serve as a record that the roof is being maintained.
WHY INSURERS CARE
Minnesota roofs are under a microscope
Minnesota roofs take a beating, and insurers have noticed. More carriers now review roofs before renewal, sometimes from aerial images, and a streaked, mossy roof can look neglected from above.
387
major hail events (1 inch or larger) struck Minnesota in 2022, the third most of any state.
$1.5B
in preliminary damage came from the August 11, 2023 Twin Cities hailstorm, which made NOAA's billion-dollar disaster list.
300 psi
or less is what our soft wash runs at, comparable to a garden hose. A typical pressure washer runs 3,000 to 4,000.
Sources: Insurance Information Institute, top states by number of major hail events, 2022 (NOAA data); Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office, August 11, 2023 hail event.
PRICE AND WARRANTY
What roof washing costs, and what backs it
YOUR ROOF WASH, AT A GLANCE
HAM LAKE
Roof washing
$800–$1,600
No-pressure soft wash for algae, moss and lichen
Service Plan member on a Preferred day
From $560
25% member rate, plus 5% on a Preferred day
Roof Washing Warranty
Included
Free re-wash of affected areas in year one, half cost within two years
Walk-around before we start
Included
The right mix for your roof, with any concerns raised first
Lake and wetland lots
Same price
Coon Lake, Lake Netta or a wetland lot does not change the price
BY HOME SIZE
Home size
Roof washing
Up to 2,000 sq ft
$800
2,001–3,000 sq ft
$1,200
3,001–4,000 sq ft
$1,600
Over 4,000 sq ft
Priced by Carson
Typical 2,000–4,000 sq ft home
$800–$1,600
Roof washing typically runs $800–$1,600 — $800 for a 2,000 sq ft home and $1,600 for a 4,000 sq ft home. Yours depends on the home, so Carson confirms the exact price after he looks at it.
WAYS TO SAVE
Fall Promo, through November 30
Free gutter cleaning with a house washing or a roof washing, applied automatically. One offer per quote, so it does not combine with the flash sale; you get the bigger one.
Service Plan members
25% off any other work, holiday lighting included
Preferred day
Another 5% off on top of any other saving, up to 25% in all
Veterans
10% off any service
Seniors 65 and older
$50 off
Same-day neighbors
15% off for both households
Three projects together
10% off
Discounts don't combine — you receive whichever single saving is largest. Then a Preferred day can take another 5% off, up to 25% in all (Service Plan members aren't capped).
This season’s flash sale is shown at the foot of every page.
GUARANTEES
What backs the work, word for word
These are printed word for word on your quote, your work order and your invoice.
INCLUDED
Roof Washing Warranty
If treated organic growth returns within the first year, we re-wash the affected areas free. If it returns within two years of service, we re-wash at half cost.
INCLUDED
Satisfaction Guarantee
If we are not satisfied with the outcome of your window cleaning, gutter cleaning, house washing, or roof washing, you will not be charged.
INCLUDED
Workmanship Standard
If we miss an area or leave normal cleanable residue, tell us and we'll re-clean or touch it up. Our guarantees cover the cleaning result — not repairs, replacements, permanent stains, or conditions that can't be safely corrected through cleaning.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
What a roof wash includes and leaves out
A roof wash kills the growth on your shingles and backs the result with a warranty. Repairs always belong to a roofer.
INCLUDED
In every roof wash
• A no-pressure soft wash of the whole roof, at 50 to 300 psi
• Black algae streaks, moss, lichen, mold and mildew treated
• Plants wet down before and after
• Growth that keeps releasing, so the roof brightens for weeks
• Warranty: affected areas re-washed free in year one, half cost in year two
NOT INCLUDED
Outside a roof wash
• Pressure washing, brushing or scrubbing shingles, ever
• Shingle, flashing, ventilation or drainage repair
• A factory-new look, since lost granules do not return
• Gutter cleaning, unless added to the visit
• Work on a roof too steep or wet that day
EQUIPMENT AND METHODS
The method the shingle makers publish
The soft wash system delivers the treatment as a fine mist at 50 to 300 psi, with a reach of about 85 feet. The roof mix is around 6% sodium hypochlorite with a little surfactant, so it clings to the shingles. On many roofs the rain does the rinsing and keeps the treatment working for weeks, which leaves an even finish.
SAFETY AND CARE
Safe for Ham Lake roofs and the yards below
Ham Lake roofs sit under mature oaks on large lots, so the setup around the house matters as much as the work on the roof.
ON THE ROOF
Traction and dry footing
On the roof, Carson wears roofing-specific traction footwear and uses a harness when conditions call for it, and nobody walks on wet shingles. If a roof is too steep or too wet to work safely that day, the job is rescheduled, and weather reschedules are always free.
LADDERS
Weight kept off the gutter edge
Ladders carry padded standoffs, so the gutter edge never takes the weight and nothing marks the exterior. Levelers keep the base steady on soft lawns and uneven ground, and ladders are set at a 4 to 1 angle and tied off above two stories.
BELOW THE ROOF
Landscaping and oaks protected
Beds, shrubs and anything under the eaves are wet down before we start and rinsed after, so any drift is diluted to the point of being harmless. Nothing we do cuts or wounds a tree, which matters in Ham Lake with its oak wilt rules.
FAMILY
Kids and pets are welcome
Children and pets are welcome at home during a roof wash, and there is no need to keep them inside. We ask only that they stay clear of the ladders and the area below the eaves while the treatment goes on.
THE OWNER
Ham Lake roofs, washed by a Ham Lake local
Glass House is owned and run by Carson Brenny, with no crews, subcontractors or handoffs. He grew up in Ham Lake, went to Blaine High School and has worked full-time in exterior cleaning since 2020, and Glass House is based here. When he washes a roof in Ham Lake, he is working for his neighbors.
Ham Lake homes sit on wooded acre lots near Coon Lake, Lake Netta and the wetlands, and those shaded, damp roofs are exactly where black streaks and moss grow fastest. Carson quotes and treats each roof himself, uses the method the shingle makers publish, and is plain about what a wash can and cannot restore.
IN CARSON'S WORDS
“It's my neighbors' homes: their biggest investment, one of the places they spend the most time, and where the people they care about most live. It's something everyone should enjoy, and I believe that.”
Carson Brenny, owner
✓
Based right here in Ham Lake
✓
Roof Washing Warranty: a free re-wash in year one, half cost in year two
✓
Photos and notes on anything seen up there
HONEST EXPECTATIONS
What a roof wash can and cannot do
Roof washing typically lands at 70 to 90 percent improvement on the day and keeps brightening over the following weeks as the rain works the treatment. It cannot put back granules the algae already took, so a roof that has been streaked for years will not look factory-new. We say so at the walk-around, not after the invoice.
A roof wash is also not a substitute for shingle, flashing, ventilation or drainage repair, and some staining or regrowth risk can remain until those are corrected. If we see something up there that needs a roofer, we photograph it and show you.
WORTH KNOWING
The clean strip under chimney flashing or a metal vent comes from copper and zinc washing down in the rain, and the algae cannot live in it. If you ever replace your roof, ask for algae-resistant shingles, which use the same idea.
BEFORE WE ARRIVE
Five minutes of prep makes the day go smoothly
This is the same checklist that comes with every Glass House quote, and each item takes only a few minutes.
1
Turn the spigot on
We connect to your outside spigot, so please make sure it is on and easy to reach, not shut off at the inside valve or behind a locked gate. In spring and fall, a winterized spigot can be opened only from inside the house. Please also unlock any gates, keep pets clear of the work area and close your windows.
2
Move your vehicles
Move cars, trucks and trailers out of the driveway, into the garage or onto the street. This protects them from overspray and gives us clear access to your home.
3
Furniture, chairs and potted plants
Move chairs and potted plants at least 15 feet from the house, or into the garage. Small, light items such as cushions and toys can be left to us; we move them and return every piece.
4
Check for wasp nests
Walk around the house and look under the eaves and above the doors. If you find an active nest, please have it removed before we arrive, because we cannot work safely next to one. If you cannot reach it, text us so we can plan around it.
5
Powder-coated surfaces
Powder coating is the smooth, baked-on finish on items such as metal railings, light fixtures and some patio furniture. Certain products can damage it, so tell us if you have any, or if you are not sure.
6
Specialty wood
Cedar shakes, teak furniture, ipe decking and log siding each need a plan of their own, whether the wood is being cleaned or carefully avoided, so please tell us about it before we arrive. If you are not sure what kind of wood you have, text us a photo.
7
Prized plants or a pond
Tell us about prized plants or a koi pond when you book, and we will take extra care around them in addition to the usual rinsing before and after the treatment.
HAM LAKE TIMING
Timing a roof wash in Ham Lake
JULY TO SEPTEMBER
Prime roof washing
Growth is active and treatable, and summer rains keep reactivating the treatment after we leave, so the roof keeps brightening.
SPRING & FALL
Still good roof weather
The exterior season runs March 1 through November 15, and roofs can be washed in spring and fall as well as summer.
WINTER
No washing
Roofs are not washed in freezing weather. If ice builds up on the roof edge, we remove ice dams with steam only.
HOW OFTEN
Every few years
A soft wash every few years keeps most roofs streak-free. Plan on washing sooner under heavy oak cover or on a lake.
Between washes, trim branches that shade the roof or drop debris on it, keep the gutters clear so the eaves do not sit wet, and make sure the attic vents, because a hot attic cooks shingles from underneath.
HAM LAKE ROOF QUESTIONS
Roof washing FAQ
Will roof washing damage my shingles or my warranty?
Not the way Glass House does it. We never pressure wash a roof. The treatment is a low-pressure soft wash that follows the cleaning method GAF, Owens Corning and CertainTeed publish themselves. Pressure washing is the method to avoid, because it strips the granules that protect the shingles.
How soon will the black streaks be gone?
Most of the change shows on the day, and the roof keeps brightening for several weeks afterward. The growth keeps dying and releasing, and each rain reactivates the treatment. This is normal, and it is why we often let the rain do the rinsing rather than rinsing the roof ourselves.
Does it kill moss and lichen too?
Yes. The treatment kills algae, moss, lichen, mold and mildew. Thick moss can take a little longer to release after it dies. Lichen roots into the shingle, so where it has grown for years, bare spots can remain once it lets go. We point those out at the walk-around.
Will it hurt my plants, gutters or oaks?
No. The landscaping is wet down before and after the treatment, so any drift is diluted to the point of being harmless, and ladder standoffs keep weight off your gutters. Nothing we do cuts or wounds a tree, which matters in Ham Lake with its oak wilt rules.
How long will it stay clean?
Every few years is typical. Roofs under heavy oak cover or near Coon Lake and Lake Netta grow back sooner. The Roof Washing Warranty covers treated growth that returns: a free re-wash of the affected areas in year one, and half cost in year two.
My insurance company is asking about my roof. Does a cleaning help?
It can. Minnesota carriers have become stricter about roofs, and some now review them from aerial images, where a streaked, mossy roof can look neglected. A clean roof, together with photos and a receipt from a professional cleaning, is becoming part of how homeowners keep coverage on an older roof.
What does it cost for my house?
Roof washing typically runs $800–$1,600 — $800 for a 2,000 sq ft home and $1,600 for a 4,000 sq ft home. Yours depends on the home, so Carson confirms the exact price after he looks at it. Being on a lake does not change the price.
Who shows up?
Carson Brenny, the owner, on every job. Glass House has no crews or subcontractors, so the person who quotes your roof is the person on it. Every job ends with a walkthrough and before and after photos before the work is called done.
Fully insured to $2M
Owner-operated
Locally owned in Ham Lake
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