Regular residential roof cleaning protects shingles, tiles, flashing, and other materials from damage while improving a home’s curb appeal in an instant. As not all roof washing methods are safe and effective for the cleaning you need to have done, it’s vital that a homeowner choose the right option for their home.
A diluted bleach or lye solution kills mold and other contaminants while high-pressure washing addresses storm residues including leaves, twigs, and debris. However, a high-pressure wash also risks damage to asphalt shingles, roofing tiles, flashing, and even chimney brick, which is why many exterior house washing companies recommend a soft wash roof cleaning system instead.
While regular roof washing keeps a home in good repair and looking its best, this is not a DIY job! Along with potential roof damage, a homeowner might also consider the risk of injury when attempting roof washing themselves. Improper pressure washing techniques can also mean lots of splatter and a bigger mess than when you began the job, as well as damaged landscaping features.
A professional pressure washing company near you ensures safety for their workers and a thorough, effective clean while reducing and even eliminating the risk of roof damage. Before you go another year without scheduling this vital service for your home, consider some added details about soft wash systems and other roof cleaning methods. It’s also helpful to note some benefits of roof washing, exterior house washing, and other cleaning.
Why Choose Soft Wash Systems for Needed Roof Cleaning
Note some details about popular roof washing and other exterior house cleaning methods and especially some details about why soft wash systems are often considered the best choice for all your property’s exterior surfaces.
- High-pressure washing risks stripping protective granules from asphalt shingles, causing irreparable damage and the need for reroofing sooner than you would need otherwise!
- Those granules also help discourage standing water on the roof; stripping shingles can then increase the risk of water damage.
- Improper pressure washing techniques along with too much pressure can pull shingles from their connectors and damage materials under those shingles as well, even stripping the adhesive from roofing paper.
- High-pressure washing increases the risk of a home’s roof absorbing water through small cracks and leaks in the roof.
- Soft wash systems start with a specialty surfactant designed to seep into all the nooks and crannies of a roof including areas between shingles.
- Those detergents then dissolve thick dirt, mud, sand, silt, pollen, dried dust, and air pollution residues clinging to a home’s roof.
- Once dissolved, this damaging debris requires nothing more than a low-pressure rinse for removal.
- The surfactants used for soft wash pressure cleaning also dissolve mold, moss, algae, and other growth.
- Low-pressure soft wash systems create far less mess and splatter, ensuring your entire home exterior as well as your lawn and landscape stay clean during the roof wash process.
- Soft wash systems are also an excellent choice for window washing, pool deck cleaning, wood deck and fence cleaning, and virtually any exterior house washing you need to have done.
Does Roof Cleaning Damage Shingles and Tiles?
One common question posed by many homeowners is if roof washing damages shingles and tiles. The simple answer is no, but sometimes yes!
By way of explanation, high-pressure washing and especially when managed by someone inexperienced at using power washing equipment and proper roof washing techniques is almost certain to damage a roof. Spraying shingles from the bottom to the top easily dislodges them and lets water seep in under those shingles, risking damage to roof paper and decking and water damage to the home’s framework and structure.
High pressure washing also strips granules, as said, and can work its way between flashing and other roofing surfaces. That flashing protects roof corners and trenches from water buildup and damage so it’s vital that it remain intact and in good condition! As flashing ages, its adhesives tend to dry and it might pull away from its base, making it all the more important that you avoid a high-pressure roof washing system.
However, proper roof cleaning techniques with the right tools and equipment actually protect a roof from long-term damage. Storm debris hold moisture against a roof and also works its way between shingles and other materials, risking them blowing away in a storm. Note, too, that soot, dust, air pollution, and other such residues dry out shingles and tiles, leading to premature damage including cracking and splitting.
Regular roof washing removes all that debris as well as soot, air pollution residues, dried dust, caustic bird droppings, and other such harmful elements. Roof cleaning also exposes areas needing repair; water stains, for example, might be covered damaged and torn shingles, so that a homeowner doesn’t realize it’s time for reroofing!
Along with keeping a roof clean and in good repair, regular roof washing removes pollen, mold, and other such irritants and allergens. Your exterior environment will look better and you’ll enjoy improved air quality when you invest in regular roof washing.
Is Residential Roof Cleaning the Only Way to Improve Its Appearance?
Residential roof cleaning improves its appearance instantly, removing unsightly dirt, dust, water stains, bird droppings, and other such debris. Roof shingle color is also restored and their granules shine through, making a roof look like new!
There are other ways of improving a roof’s overall appearance, if you find that pressure washing doesn’t provide the like-new look you prefer. For instance, you might ask your power washing contractor about gutter cleaning and brightening, as dirty gutter undersides can make your home’s entire exterior look rundown and dingy.
If gutters are beyond cleaning, consider replacing them. Bright, fresh gutters provide a nice contrast to exterior walls and a home’s roof. You might also consider changing shingle colors the next time you need to re-shingle the roof, for a refreshing change.
If you have the budget, consider upgrading from asphalt shingles to something more stylish, such as clay tiles or metal sheets. Clay tiles offer a Mediterranean look and feel, while metal can be powder coated just about any color and offers a shiny finish you can’t find with other roofing materials. It can also be easier to clean a metal or clay roof than standard shingles, making needed roof cleaning faster and more affordable over the years.
Does a Soft Wash System Work for Gutter Cleaning?
Along with regular roof washing, it’s vital that homeowners schedule needed gutter cleaning. Gutters direct rainwater and melted snow off a home’s roof and to attached downspouts, which then direct that water away from the home’s foundation. Clogged gutters allow water to pool around roof edges and run over the gutter sides, leading to severe water damage and unsightly stains along walls and windows.
While clean gutters are vital for protecting your home, many homeowners find that a standard garden hose is insufficient for removing caked-on dirt and debris. Cleaning gutters by hand is also unpleasant and time-consuming, and might also be ineffective at removing all dirt and storm residues from gutters.
A soft wash system is an excellent choice for gutter cleaning, as its surfactants quickly dissolve thick dirt, mud, and other such residues. These surfactants also won’t etch or scratch vinyl gutters or increase the risk of corrosion and rust of metal gutters.
Once dirt and grime are dissolved, a low-pressure wash is all that’s needed to rinse it all away. You won’t risk messy splatter or gutter damage caused by high-pressure washing when you choose a soft wash system for your home’s gutters. Consider scheduling this service along with needed roof cleaning, so you know your home is in good condition and protected from damage.
Related Questions
How much does soft wash roof cleaning cost?
Most pressure washing contractors charge by the square foot rather than the hour, and might adjust charges for added filth, lots of eaves and obstructions, and other such factors. Most homeowners might expect to pay between $75 and $250 for soft wash roof cleaning; that price typically increases for very large homes.
How often should you schedule roof cleaning and washing?
Most homeowners find it’s beneficial to schedule roof washing every other year, or every three years at most. However, if your property has large trees that drop lots of residues onto the roof, if you live in a particularly stormy area so your home is always covered in debris, if you live near a water body so the roof is covered with sand and silt, or if your area is particularly polluted, schedule annual roof washing.
Can you rent soft wash pressure washing equipment?
Home improvement stores rarely rent soft wash pressure washing equipment as the detergents used for soft wash systems are quite strong and need proper care and handling. Also, note that soft wash systems use pressure just slightly stronger than a typical garden hose! To ensure a thorough, safe clean, leave needed soft wash roof cleaning and other power washing to a professional.