HOA Letter About Your Driveway or Roof? Fix It Fast

A letter from the HOA is annoying, but it is also usually easy to resolve. Most exterior violation notices in this area come down to three things, and all three are a single afternoon of work.

What these letters usually say

Across the master planned communities around St. Johns County, the wording varies but the substance is nearly always one of the following:

• Mildew, algae or discolouration on the exterior of the home
• Black staining or streaking on the roof
• Driveway, walkway or curb showing organic growth or stains
• Fence or mailbox post with visible mildew

These are cosmetic standards, and they exist because uniform curb appeal protects property values across the neighbourhood. The good news is that meeting them is straightforward.

Read the deadline first

Most notices give you somewhere between fourteen and thirty days to correct the issue before fines start. That is usually plenty of time, but it is worth checking the date before anything else and getting on a schedule early, especially in summer when everyone else in the neighbourhood received the same letter.

The roof one is the important one

If the notice mentions black streaks on your roof, this is the one to be careful about. Those streaks are a bacteria called gloeocapsa magma that feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles. It is a real problem, not just a cosmetic one.

What matters is how it gets removed. High pressure will take the streaks off and take your shingle granules with them, which shortens the life of the roof and can void the manufacturer warranty. The correct method is soft washing, which uses cleaning solution and very low pressure.

If a company offers to "power wash" your roof, get a different company.

Driveways and walkways

Driveway violations are the most common of all. The fix is concrete cleaning with a flat surface machine, which produces an even finish across the whole slab rather than the striped look you get from a handheld wand. Curb strips and the walkway to the front door are usually included, and they are often what the HOA is actually looking at.

House exterior

Mildew on siding, soffits and gutters is handled with soft washing rather than high pressure. Vinyl, stucco and painted surfaces do not need force, they need the right solution and a gentle rinse. High pressure on siding can force water behind it, which creates a much more expensive problem than the one you started with.

Getting it documented

Many HOAs want confirmation that the work was done. Take a photo before and after, and keep your invoice. If your management company asks for proof, that is normally all they need. We are happy to provide an itemised invoice listing exactly which surfaces were cleaned.

Avoiding the next letter

In this climate, once a year is the realistic maintenance rhythm for most homes. Homes with heavy tree cover, north facing walls or a lot of shade sometimes need the roof and shaded elevations done more often.

We work throughout St. Johns, Fruit Cove, Oakleaf Plantation, Fleming Island, Ponte Vedra and surrounding neighbourhoods and know what the local associations tend to flag.

Frequently asked questions