Every property has a roof. That’s because a roof is necessary for the structure’s overall safety and well-being. However, it’s not like you can install your roof one time and be done with it. Your roof requires regular maintenance if you want it to stay in the best possible condition. But what’s the best way to clean your roof, and what exactly are the benefits? Discover how to soft wash a roof, and what you’ll gain from this work, below!
We are Gorilla Exterior Cleaning, a locally owned and operated business in Orange County, CA. We proudly provide professional roof cleaning services, so if you need our help, give us a call. We will be there soon to serve you.
Why Roofs Become Dirty
If only roofs would stay clean on their own! Property maintenance would be so much easier if this were the case. However, roofs don’t stay clean. Over time, they accumulate various forms of debris. A few examples of this debris include dirt, moss, mold, algae, pollen, bird droppings, and dead insects. As this debris gathers, your roof will become filthier and filthier, stealing away your property’s beauty and increasing the risk of roof damage.
We highly recommend annual roof cleaning as a way to remove debris from your roof. If it has already been more than a year since your roof was last washed, why wait to do something about it? Plan for DIY roof cleaning or schedule a professional appointment today!
Restoring Roofs With Soft Washing
At Gorilla Exterior Cleaning, we find that the best way to clean a roof is with the soft washing technique. But what is soft washing, and how exactly does it work? To explain this, it’s best to talk about pressure washing first. Pressure washing is the process of cleaning exterior surfaces with high-pressure water. This is a safe process for most exterior surfaces; however, there are exceptions. For example, what if surfaces are too delicate to be pressure washed?
Delicate surfaces—such as roofs—need to be soft washed instead. Soft washing is very similar to pressure washing. The difference is the amount of water pressure used. Soft washing uses between 150 to 500 PSI to gently restore roofs. This is the key to removing debris from your rooftop without damaging it in the process.
What You’ll Need For Roof Soft Washing
To learn how to soft wash a roof, you’ll need to purchase the right equipment. If you don’t have the necessary tools, you won’t be able to do the work correctly, and this obviously isn’t a good thing. We’ve included a list of the necessary items below:
- Pressure Washer: A pressure washer is necessary for soft washing. Most pressure washers include a dial that lets you set how much water pressure you are using.
- Cleaning Solutions: We recommend using sodium hypochlorite to break down roof debris so it can be more easily removed.
- Ladder: You won’t be able to reach your roof without a ladder. Make sure it is tall enough, steady, and able to support your weight.
- Safety Equipment: Protect yourself from injury with safety equipment, including gloves, eye goggles, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes.
Beginning the Roof Washing Process
It’s time to learn how to soft wash a roof. First, set your ladder up in a flat, steady area where it won’t tilt or rock. Then, choose an appropriate amount of water pressure for the project. This is typically going to be within the range of 150 to 500 PSI. After making your selection, we recommend testing an inconspicuous part of your roof. See how it reacts to your spray, and if there are no negative effects, you know you’re ready to go.
We also recommend chemically treating the entire roof. By applying a thin layer of sodium hypochlorite to the surface, you’ll help break down stubborn debris ahead of time. That way, you can more easily remove it during the soft washing process.
Soft Washing the Roof and Restoring Its Beauty
After sodium hypochlorite has been applied to your roof for fifteen minutes, it’s time to proceed with the rest of the soft washing process. Carefully rinse your roof in a series of top-to-bottom columns. Be sure to overlap each pass; that way, you don’t miss any surface area, and you ensure your roof’s complete visual transformation.
Once your roof has been cleaned, you’ll be able to see the difference. It’s not just you—your neighbors and visitors will also appreciate the brand-new look!
Don’t Forget Ladder Safety
When learning how to soft wash a roof, you will heavily rely on your ladder. Because of this, it’s important to review the basics of ladder safety. We’ve included guidelines for your review below. Be sure to read them over:
- Make sure you’re well-rested. You shouldn’t set foot on a ladder if you didn’t get any sleep last night. Save this work for when you’re well-rested and attentive.
- Remember the rule of three points of contact. You should always have two legs and one arm, or two arms and one leg, on your ladder.
- Ensure your ladder’s steadiness. If your ladder isn’t steady, don’t climb it! Otherwise, you risk it toppling over while you’re on top of it.
Skip the Hassle With Gorilla Exterior Cleaning
Learning how to soft wash a roof isn’t necessarily easy, as you’ve learned in this blog. In fact, you may have decided that you’d rather schedule an appointment with a professional roof cleaning company. Good news—by reaching out to Gorilla Exterior Cleaning, you’ll avoid the DIY process and receive professional results without even lifting a finger.
Reach out to Gorilla Exterior Cleaning and schedule an appointment today! Simply contact us online and let us know how we can help. We’ll give you a free cost estimate for your appointment. Then, you can choose a time and date for our arrival. It won’t be long before we are there to revitalize your roof. Experience the difference our soft washing experts can make for yourself!
