
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 Cumming and central Iowa, and the streaks fade within a week or two. From Downtown Cumming, Cumming Lake area, Surrounding rural addresses to the rest of Cumming, JBL covers every ZIP in the city — 50061, Warren / Madison County.

Cumming proper is small — a downtown of a few blocks. The bulk of our work here happens on rural-route addresses: lake properties around the Cumming Lake area, acreage homes on county roads, the occasional original farmhouse converted to a primary residence.
Construction era runs from 1920s farmhouses to 2010s custom rural builds. Metal roofing is more common here than in our other service areas. Brick chimneys, board-and-batten siding, and screened porches show up more often.


Cumming's homes sit on open acreage along the Warren and Madison County roads, and that exposure shapes the roof work. South and west slopes bake in full sun, but it's the north-facing and shaded sides that grow Gloeocapsa magma — the black streaking that runs down algae-prone asphalt shingles.
On the treed lake properties around the Cumming Lake area and the older farmhouses, overhanging limbs hold moisture and let moss creep under the canopy. JBL cleans these with low-pressure soft wash, never pressure washing, because the older 1920s-era roofs and weathered shingles can't spare their granules. The result lifts the staining without stripping years off the roof.

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 Cumming 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.
“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.”
“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.”
“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 Cumming homeowners ask us most, before the first visit. Don’t see yours? Just ask.
Yes — JBL Exterior Pros covers every Cumming neighborhood and ZIP code (50061, Warren / Madison County), from Downtown Cumming, Cumming Lake area, Surrounding rural addresses to Surrounding rural addresses. We're on Cumming streets regularly — only 16 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 Cumming is priced by the size of your home and the scope of the job — every Cumming 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 Cumming property in person within one business day — honest pricing, real recommendations, no obligation.