Soft Wash Roof Cleaning Eliminates Algae Stains Without Harming Your Asphalt Shingles
Posted on: 14 September 2022
If your roof has unattractive black streaks, dirt, bird droppings, pollution, and other types of stains, then you may want to have your roof washed. One of the safest and best ways to wash an asphalt shingle roof is with soft wash roof cleaning equipment. Here's a look at how this process differs from pressure washing and how it works to clean your roof.
Soft Washing Uses Low Pressure
The main difference between soft washing and pressure washing is the amount of pressure used. Pressure washing is ideal for hard surfaces like concrete where high pressures can be used to blast off algae and dirt. An asphalt shingle roof can't tolerate high pressures. The risk of damaging the soft shingles and wood deck is too high. Plus, there's a risk of driving water under the shingles when using a pressure washer.
A soft washer doesn't rely on high pressure to blast away dirt and stains. Instead, the equipment uses very low pressure in combination with cleaning chemicals that break up stains.
The Cleaning Chemicals Kill Algae Too
Blasting algae stains away gets rid of the ugly stains, but it may not kill the algae. Instead, the algae often grows right back and the stains return. When you remove algae with chemicals, the risk of the algae returning is lower. In this way, soft washing can give better results than simple pressure washing can provide.
Roof Treatments Are Applied But Not Rinsed
When you have soft wash roof cleaning done, the contractor arrives with equipment on a truck or trailer that includes a battery or electric soft washer. Other equipment includes tanks that hold water and cleaning solutions.
The contractor is able to mix the right amount of cleaning chemicals with the water depending on how dirty and stained your roof is. The only thing that needs to go on your roof is the contractor and the long hose that dispenses the chemicals.
The contractor works in small areas, being sure to apply the chemicals evenly so no spots are missed. The spray lightens the color of the shingles, so it's easy to tell where the chemicals are applied.
There is no need to rinse the roof. The next time it rains, the rain will rinse off the roof and you'll be able to see the difference. Stains and dirt should all be gone, and your old asphalt shingle roof should look nearly new. This is done without harming any of the shingles, even old ones that might be easily damaged.
For more information, reach out to a soft wash roof cleaning service near you.
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