ARMA-Approved Roof Cleaning: Why It Matters for Your Shingle Warranty
If a roof cleaner doesn't mention ARMA, the work they do may void your shingle manufacturer's warranty. Here's what ARMA-approved means and what to ask.
What ARMA is
ARMA is the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association — the trade body that represents the manufacturers of every major asphalt shingle brand in North America (GAF, CertainTeed, Owens Corning, Atlas, IKO, Malarkey, and others).
When ARMA endorses a roof cleaning methodology, it means: this method has been reviewed by the people who make your shingles, and it will not damage them or void your manufacturer warranty. That's the entire weight behind the certification.
What ARMA-approved roof cleaning is
It's zero-pressure (or extremely low-pressure) soft wash using a sodium-hypochlorite-based solution applied at standard atmospheric pressure. No mechanical contact with the shingle surface. The chemistry kills algae, moss, and lichen at the spore level. A gentle rinse with plain water flushes the dead biology and treatment solution off the roof.
Critically: no high-pressure water touches the shingles. The granules that protect the shingle (and the asphalt underneath) stay attached. The roof keeps its warranty.
What high-pressure roof cleaning does
Conventional pressure washing on a roof — even at "moderate" 1,500-2,500 PSI — strips the protective granule layer from asphalt shingles. The granules are what protects the shingle from UV degradation, weather exposure, and impact. Strip them and the shingle ages 5-10 years in a single cleaning. Worse: every major shingle manufacturer explicitly voids the warranty if high-pressure water is used on the surface.
Pressure-washed roofs often look great for a year. Then granule loss accelerates, the shingle structure weakens, and replacement comes 5-10 years early. The customer paid for cleaning that triggered the failure.
What you should ask before hiring a roof cleaner
Three questions, in order:
- "Are you using ARMA-approved methodology?" If they don't know what ARMA is, they aren't using it.
- "What pressure are you using on the shingles?" The right answer is zero or near-zero PSI on the surface. If they answer with any pressure-washer rating, they're using the wrong method.
- "Does this affect my shingle warranty?" The right answer is "no — ARMA approves this method." Any other answer means they're not certified.
What Sunshine does
Sunshine is ARMA-approved. Every roof we clean uses zero-pressure soft wash methodology. The solution kills the underlying algae, moss, and lichen at the spore level rather than just rinsing visible growth off — which is why re-growth is significantly delayed and why we back the work with a three-year warranty. If algae returns within 36 months, we re-treat at no charge.
"Our roof process is the slowest part of any exterior cleaning job, and it's the part where the most damage gets done if you cut corners. ARMA-approved methodology is the standard. We hold ourselves to it."
Common questions
Does ARMA actually publish their approved methodology?
Yes. ARMA's technical bulletins describe the methodology, chemistry, and protocols certified for cleaning asphalt shingles without damage. Any certified provider can show you the documentation on request.
Will roof cleaning void my shingle warranty?
It can — if the wrong method is used. High-pressure water on shingles voids most manufacturer warranties. ARMA-approved zero-pressure soft wash does not. Ask any roof cleaner about their methodology before scheduling.
How long does ARMA-approved roof cleaning last?
Visible improvement is immediate. The chemistry kills the underlying algae, moss, and lichen at the spore level, which delays re-growth significantly. Sunshine includes a 3-year warranty against re-growth on every roof we treat.
Is Sunshine ARMA-approved?
Yes. Sunshine has been ARMA-approved since adding roof soft wash to our service mix. Every roof we treat uses the certified methodology, every time.