Project education
Roof Soft Washing: Why Shingles Need Low Pressure
Dark streaks and green growth on a roof make people reach for a pressure washer. On asphalt shingles, that is the wrong tool.
What high pressure does
A strong jet of water can knock loose the granules that protect a shingle and can force water under shingle edges. The roof may look clean while losing protection.
How soft washing works
Soft washing applies a cleaning solution at low pressure, lets it work on the growth, then rinses gently. The cleaning comes from the solution and time, not force.
Plants and runoff
The solution runs off the roof. Ask how plants, lawns and anything below the gutters will be protected.
Safety on the roof
Roofs are slippery when wet. Leave roof cleaning to people who have the right safety equipment.
Questions to ask
- What pressure and method will be used on the shingles?
- How will plants be protected?
- Will gutters be cleaned or rinsed too?
Next step
Tell us about your roof and the growth you see.