When To Get a Roof Soft Washing Service?
Most homeowner’s don’t know this, but they don’t need to get a roof soft washing service every single year. They can, but it’s not necessary. Much of the confusion on how often a homeowner should get their roof soft washed, stems from a misunderstanding on the differences between a roof soft wash versus a roof cleaning service.
They sound similar, but they are not the same. Getting your roof soft washed, is quite different than getting your roof cleaned.
Standard Roof Cleaning Service
Roof cleaning is more or less the clearing off of debris from your roof. It involves the use of gentle brushing with scrub brush, the use of a blower, and the application of a moss-off zinc powder.
This type of roof service is recommended at least once a year. Many in the industry refer to this non-soft washing method of cleaning a roof as the standard roof cleaning method.
Note: Some roof cleaners may attempt to use a pressure washer to clean the surface of roofs; however, this is a method that we don’t recommend or use, because of the potential to cause damage.
Roof Soft Washing Service
Roof soft washing is a type of roof cleaning, but it is a bit different and it isn’t necessary to do every single year. This method is generally considered more effective, and much safer than roof cleans that use pressure.
Many exterior cleaning professionals consider roof soft washing a superior cleaning method that uses low-pressure water mixed with specialized cleaning solutions to safely remove mildew, bacteria, algae, and other organic stains from roofs and other surfaces around your property.
Unlike pressure washing, which uses high-pressure water that can damage delicate surfaces like roof shingles, stucco, and vinyl siding, soft washing employs a gentle yet powerful low-pressure spray combined with specialized cleaning solutions.
The number of times your roof needs a soft washing depends on the type of roof you have. Most roofs only need to be soft-washed every few years.
That said, most roof cleaning companies might recommend the soft washing of a roof every 1 to 3 years in order to maintain your home’s curb appeal and to prevent unsightly growth of algae, moss, lichen, mold and mildew.
Roof Wash Maintenance Schedule By Roof Type
One thing to keep in mind, is that the type of roof you have will determine the suggested frequency of each wash. To help you get your roof washing on healthy maintenance schedule, here’s a helpful breakdown by roof type:
Roof Type | Cleaning Method | Frequency |
---|---|---|
Asphalt Shingle Roof | Soft Wash | Every 1 – 5 years |
Concrete Tile Roof | Soft Wash | Every .5 – 5 years |
Clay Tile Roof | Soft Wash | Every .5 – 5 years |
Metal Roof | Soft Wash | Every 2 – 5 years |
Asphalt Shingle Roof | Standard Cleaning | Every Year |
Concrete Tile Roof | Standard Cleaning | Every Year |
Clay Tile Roof | Standard Cleaning | Every Year |
Wood Shingle Roof | Standard Cleaning | Every Year |
Slate Shingle Roof | Standard Cleaning | Every Year |
Metal Roof | Standard Cleaning | Every Year |
Wood Shingle Roof | Low Pressure | Every 2 – 3 years |
Slate Shingle Roof | Low Pressure | Every 2 – 3 years |
Metal Roof | High Pressure | 1 – 10 years |
Related: Average Cost To Get Roof Cleaned
When To Get a Roof Soft Washed?
Now that you know how regularly you should be getting a soft wash on your roof, it is equally important to know when you should actually take action. So, here are some visible signs to look out for as indicators of when you should get in touch with a roof cleaning company to schedule your next roof soft washing service.
Signs You Need Your Roof Soft Washed:
- Black streaks (black algae): Algae buildup doesn’t always damage your roof or limit its life span, however, the dark and unsightly streaks can make your home look aged and not well maintained.
- Dirt and grime buildup: Much like algae, dirt, and grime aren’t a threat to your roof’s lifespan or integrity, but it can make your home look less aesthetically appealing.
- Leaf buildup in gutters: Leaves and other tree debris in your gutters don’t always mean your roof needs cleaning, but they probably indicate you have shading, pollen, and debris up there that might require a good cleaning. It’s a smart idea to get your gutters cleaned at the same time.
- Buildup under shingles: You might see some of your asphalt shingles lifting or becoming wavy. This is often due to moss growth. Lifted shingles expose your underlayment and roof decking to moisture, requiring immediate removal and roof cleaning.
- Shaded roofs with little sun exposure: When your roof has heavy shading, the sun can’t dry out the moisture, allowing moss and algae to grow. This means shaded roofs require more frequent cleaning.
- Moss: If you see moss on your roof, it means it is high time to get it removed.
Related: 10 Reasons To Clean Your Roof
Now you know when you need to get your roof soft washing service, as well as when to get your roof cleaned via the standard approach. So, if you’re in the market for either, don’t hesitate to leverage Tough Task Pro’s Roof Soft Washing Services.
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