
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 Adel and central Iowa, and the streaks fade within a week or two. From Downtown square, North Adel, East Adel subdivisions to the rest of Adel, JBL covers every ZIP in the city — 50003, Dallas County.

Adel splits visually right at the downtown square. Within a few blocks of the courthouse sit some of central Iowa's best-preserved Victorian, Italianate, and four-square homes — original wood siding, original storm windows, ornate trim.
Move out to North Adel and the East Adel subdivisions and the housing stock becomes 1990s–2020s production homes with vinyl siding and composite trim. Cherrywood and similar newer developments mirror Ankeny/Waukee patterns. The west side near the Raccoon River has a small concentration of mid-century ranches.


Adel splits right at the downtown square, and roofs follow the same line. The historic core around the courthouse — the Victorian, Italianate, and four-square homes — sits under Adel's oldest, heaviest tree canopy, so those roofs hold shade and moisture longer; north-facing slopes and sections under tree overhang grow the black streaking you see across central Iowa, which is Gloeocapsa magma algae, plus moss in the dampest, most shaded spots.
Older shingles already losing granules are the most vulnerable. We clean every one of these with low-pressure soft wash and roof-safe chemistry — never pressure washing, which strips granules and shortens shingle life. The newer North Adel, East Adel, and Cherrywood subdivisions get the same low-pressure treatment, just on younger, more open roofs.

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 Adel 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.
“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.”
“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.”
“They are a fantastic crew. Came and cleaned all the windows in a professional manner and with very little interruption. I highly recommend them — we couldn't be more pleased!”
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 Adel homeowners ask us most, before the first visit. Don’t see yours? Just ask.
Yes — JBL Exterior Pros covers every Adel neighborhood and ZIP code (50003, Dallas County), from Downtown square, North Adel, East Adel subdivisions to Cherrywood. We're on Adel streets regularly — only 17 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 Adel is priced by the size of your home and the scope of the job — every Adel 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 Adel property in person within one business day — honest pricing, real recommendations, no obligation.