
Asphalt Shingles
The black streaks aren’t dirt — they’re algae, moss, and lichen feeding on your shingles. We kill it all at the root with a gentle, low-pressure soft wash — no granule loss.
Get a fast quoteWe’ll add years of life back to your roof.
Black streaks on asphalt shingles aren't dirt — they're a hardy algae (Gloeocapsa magma) that feeds on the shingle itself. JBL Exterior Pros clears it with a gentle, low-pressure soft wash that kills the growth at the root, never a pressure washer — high pressure strips the granules that protect your shingles and can void the warranty. We soft-wash roofs across Pleasant Hill and central Iowa, and the streaks fade within a week or two. From Original Pleasant Hill, Copper Creek, Veterans Hospital area to the rest of Pleasant Hill, JBL covers every ZIP in the city — 50327, Polk County.

Pleasant Hill mixes mid-century stock in the original streets near the highway with newer 2000s–2010s developments around Copper Creek Lake. The newer construction follows the standard metro suburban template: vinyl siding, brick veneer accents, asphalt shingles, attached two-car garages.
The older central neighborhoods run more 1960s–80s ranches with mature trees. A small concentration of lakefront and lake-adjacent properties around Copper Creek have unique upkeep needs.


Pleasant Hill's roofs streak along the same era split as everything else here. The newer 2000s-2010s asphalt shingles around Copper Creek and Edgewater are still mid-life, but the black streaking shows up early on north-facing slopes — that's Gloeocapsa magma algae, and it feeds on the shaded, slow-drying side of the roof.
Original Pleasant Hill's older 1960s-80s ranches sit under the mature central-street canopy, so the overhanging limbs hold moisture and you get moss creeping in under the shade along with the streaking, plus more shingle wear to work around. Either way we clean it the same way: a low-pressure soft wash that lifts the algae and moss with chemistry, never pressure washing, because that strips the granules and shortens the roof's life. We calibrate the mix to the shingle age on the home.

The black streaks aren’t dirt — they’re algae, moss, and lichen feeding on your shingles. We kill it all at the root with a gentle, low-pressure soft wash — no granule loss.
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Surface-safe chemistry tuned to the material — tile and standing-seam metal cleaned gently, never blasted at high pressure.
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Gutters, fascia, and soffits around the treated areas are cleaned as part of the job — not left half-done.
Get a fast quoteAdd soft washing, pressure washing, or gutter cleaning to your roof washing package and get your whole Pleasant Hill home done in one visit — at one discounted price.

Skip the runaround. Tell us about your roof — pitch, age, and how bad the streaking is — and get clear, honest pricing, fast.
We come at a time that works for you, show up when we say we will, and treat your roof with a gentle, low-pressure, warranty-safe soft wash.
You don’t lift a finger. We protect your landscaping, kill the algae at the root, and add years of life back to your shingles.
Real reviews from the families and properties we’ve cared for across central Iowa.
“We used JBL Exterior Pros for a complete exterior soft washing of our home and are extremely happy with the results. The work was completed exactly as promised and on schedule. A team of four arrived promptly, were professional and courteous, and did an exceptional job with minimal disruption.”
“JBL did a fantastic job soft washing our house and deck for a very reasonable price. The dirt had piled up on our siding over the years and I'd tried to clean it myself to no avail. They were upfront, easy to work with — we're having them back for the windows and screens.”
“Amazing job! Our house looks like it got a brand new paint job. The team was so friendly and kind to our family and we are so happy with how it turned out. 10/10 would recommend and will use them again in future years.”
“The crew came and did my windows, the deck, and soft-washed the house — they did a great job. Up-and-coming young company doing good work.”
“Super thorough, prompt, professional — and fantastic work. Our house sparkled when they were finished. I've hired window washers before and was always bummed by streaks the next day. Not so with JBL — everything looked perfect, even after it rained.”
“Jaxson and his team were great! Had outside windows done this spring. Look great even after recent rains. Great customer service, quality product and reasonable price. Highly recommend!”
Locally owned and on the road across the metro — from downtown Des Moines out to Ames, Adel, and Indianola. If you’re near one of these, we’ve got you covered.
The things Pleasant Hill homeowners ask us most, before the first visit. Don’t see yours? Just ask.
Yes — JBL Exterior Pros covers every Pleasant Hill neighborhood and ZIP code (50327, Polk County), from Original Pleasant Hill, Copper Creek, Veterans Hospital area to Easton Place. We're on Pleasant Hill streets regularly — only 6 miles from downtown Des Moines.
No — we use the gentle, low-pressure soft-wash method that keeps your shingle warranty intact. Pressure washing a roof is what voids warranties, and we never do that.
The algae dies immediately on contact. Visible lightening shows within days; full clarity typically takes 1-2 weeks as rain and weather flush the dead growth off the shingles.
Every 2-4 years for most central Iowa roofs, depending on tree cover and exposure. Annual members get yearly inspections and treatment only when needed.
Roof soft wash in Pleasant Hill is priced by the size of your home and the scope of the job — every Pleasant Hill property is a little different. Every quote is free and walked in person within one business day, so the price reflects the actual home, not a flat rate.
Soft washing works on both. Tile (less common in central Iowa) needs careful chemistry to avoid surface fading; metal is straightforward. We confirm the roof type during the in-person quote and adjust approach.
Not when done right. Standard soft-wash solutions are safe for both. We pre-rinse all flashing and gutters before application and rinse again afterward. Improper chemistry left to dwell on metals can cause staining — we never let that happen.
Pressure washing a roof strips the granule layer that protects asphalt shingles from UV damage. Once the granules go, the shingles age 5x faster — a roof that should last 25 years can fail in 8–10 if it's been pressure-washed. The savings are eaten by replacing the roof early. Every major shingle manufacturer explicitly warns against pressure-washing.
Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) are ideal — consistent temperatures, no flash-drying in heat, no freeze concerns. Summer roof soft-wash works but we schedule around the hottest days. Winter we don't soft-wash roofs in central Iowa.
A JBL rep walks your Pleasant Hill property in person within one business day — honest pricing, real recommendations, no obligation.