A Word From Our Power Washers
West Hartford Power Washers is proud to present this information to our readers and especially proud of the work offered by our residential pressure washing contractors. If youre still wondering about the chemicals used to soft wash a roof, if pressure washing is right for your homes roof, or any other questions, give us a call! Were also happy to provide a FREE quote for roof washing, exterior wall washing, gutter cleaning, window washing, and all other home pressure washing in the West Hartford area.
Best Soft Wash Roof Cleaning Chemicals
There are many chemicals that can be used for soft roof washing. The precise choice of chemical will depend on the type of roofing material, the severity of the staining, and local weather conditions.
However, some common choices include:
Alkaline Cleaners Alkaline cleaners are effective at removing dirt, grease, and grime from a variety of surfaces. They work by breaking down the residues that cause staining, and they can be used either as a stand-alone cleaner or as part of a more comprehensive cleaning solution.
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Acidic Cleaners Acidic cleaners are ideal for removing stubborn stains and marks from a variety of surfaces. They work by dissolving the underlying materials that caused the staining, making them an excellent choice for restoring older roofs or dealing with particularly tough blemishes.
However, they must be used with caution as they can damage certain types of roofing if applied incorrectly.
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Warsaw Indiana Roof Rejuvenation
Has your roof seen better days?
Before you decide to replace it, contact Miller Soft Wash to find out how you can have a roof rejuvenation done for a fraction of the cost.
This Roof Rejuvenation is different then the normal Roof Cleaning Soft Wash that Miller Soft Wash is known for. A roof cleaning soft wash is to clean any moss and algae stains off the roof where a roof rejuvenation is a oil that is applied that penetrates the complete shingle molecule by molecule.
A Roof Rejuvenation can add at least 6 more years of life to your roof by replenishing the oils that have evaporated from the shingles.
Asphalt shingles are similar to asphalt roadsa layer of a sticky, black, semi-solid form of petroleum imbedded with rocks. While our roads contain gravel, our shingles contain fine granules made of crushed rocks and minerals. These help protect your shingles from solar radiation and other environmental hazards.
One sign that your roof is aging is the presence of loose granules. Youll see them in your gutters or on the ground where your downspouts empty. Another sign is reduced flexibility, which makes your shingles brittle and subject to cracking.
Why Its Important To Have Soft Wash Roof Cleaning
Soft wash roof cleaning have become a popular way to clean roofs without damaging them. With this method, you can get rid of all the dirt and grime on the surface, while also getting up close and personal with any moss or mold problems. Its no wonder why soft wash roof cleaners are becoming more popular! Even though it takes longer than a traditional pressure washing process, it is worth waiting for because it leaves your roof cleaner for much longer afterwards. Pressure washers will often leave behind residue that can end up corroding your metal chimney or even cause leaks in the future! If youre looking for a great way to keep your home in pristine condition, then soft wash roof cleaning is an excellent option to consider!
Pressure Washing Vs Soft Washing
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What Is Soft Wash Roof Cleaning
Soft wash roof cleaning is a gentle and safe method of removing built-up dirt, algae, and other flora from roofs without using high-pressure washers or Chemicals.
Soft wash roof cleaning is achieved by using a specially designed pressure spray nozzle to apply a solution of detergent and water to the roof at low pressure.
This gentle washing action is enough to loosen the dirt, algae, and other materials and cause them to rinse away down the slope of the roof. The end result is a clean and healthy roof that will last longer.
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Soft Wash Roof Cleaning
What is soft wash roof cleaning? This is the process by which a soft wash cleaning agent, typically a blend of sodium hypochlorite , water, and surfactants, is fed through a low-pressure washer to clean your roof of surface scum, mold, bacteria, stains, mud, debris, moss, and other irritants. The purpose of soft wash roof cleaning is to clean roofs without causing damage to shingles, in turn extending the life of your roof. Many roofs in America are shingle roofs. Shingles are manufactured precoated with UV-protecting chemicals and other agents to fend off rain and storms. Over time, all roofs get soaked with rain and ultraviolet radiation from the sun, debris from wind storms, and other impurities. Soft wash roof cleaning can help to keep your roof clean and in good working order without damaging shingles with high-pressure washing techniques. If you are looking for a provider of high-quality, soft wash cleaning agents for roofs and other soft wash applications, Ecolink can help!
The Benefits Of Soft Wash Roof Cleaning
If you are looking for a quick, affordable, and effective way to clean your roof, you should consider soft wash roof cleaning.
This approach uses a low-pressure water spray to remove dirt, dust, and other debris from your roof without causing any damage.
Here are some of the benefits of soft wash roof cleaning:
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What To Expect From The Softclean Process
At All Surface Cleaning, we employ several techniques in our SoftClean process, such as low-pressure washing, air blowing and sweeping. Soft washing is less aggressive than pressure washing and doesnt damage your shingles in the cleaning process.
First, our expert roof technicians will apply an eco-friendly cleaner to your roof. This cleaner removes stains and effectively neutralizes any organic matter that is growing on your roof.
After several days, we remove the cleaner by delicately sweeping and brushing off the dead moss. If there are any remaining contaminants such as mildew, dirt, or loose debris, we use a low-pressure wash to remove the debris while keeping your roof safe from any damage.
Our Roof Washing Services Include
Similar to our house washing services, we employ a soft wash method that:
- Utilizes our proprietary soap blend
- Breaks down and removes mold, mildew, dirt, bird droppings, streaks, and spots that have built up on your roof.
- Is no pressure cleaning, thus protecting your roof
- The detergent mix sits and breaks down debris and stains
- We softly rinse your roof with water taking extra care to protect your home and its surroundings or let mother nature do her job!
Working with Bright Exterior Cleaning you can count on a streamlined and simple process. From convenient scheduling to diligent services with a professional approach and exceptional rates feel free to inquire today about getting your home washed!
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What Chemicals Are Used To Soft Wash
You will need to mix a solution to apply to your surface area which consists of the following:
⢠Bleach â This kills any mold and mildew spores, algae, moss, and any other plants or fungi growing on your roof. It also gets into and kills off any root systems in order to prevent further damage to the tiles and to keep anything from growing back.
⢠Water â This is included to dilute the bleach.
⢠Cleaning Surfactant â This aides in the cleaning process by loosening, trapping, and carrying-away dirt and other substances. Due to the chemical nature of surfactants, they get between the surface and the substances clinging to them and push them apart, sticking to the unwanted matter clinging there and lifting them away in a process called roll-up. It is equivalent to dish soap cleaning residue stuck to a plate after a meal: it improves the waterâs ability to wash away unwanted muck. In addition, the surfactant will help prevent excessive run-off so the solution will stay on your roof longer for greater effectiveness.
When you are looking for the best chemical mixture you are really seeking the best concentration of bleach to use on a particular job. Additives and water will certainly help, but bleach is the primary agent. More details on bleach concentration and ratio.
How Often Should You Clean Your Roof
It really depends on the environment where your property is located.
If you live near the water it is likely that black algae will start to grow on your roof within months of cleaning, whereas if you are further inland it may take years before you need another clean.
The most effective way to control black algae growth is by staying on top of your roof cleaning.
Roof cleaning is an ongoing process, but by removing the build up of algae before it has a chance to grow you will be ensuring that your roof stays clean.
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What Is Softwash Roof Cleaning
Softwash roof cleaning is by far the most recommended cleaning method for delicate roofing systems. Instead of relying on high pressure jets of water to blast away stains, soft wash roof cleaning utilizes a gentle stream of water and a customized blend of biodegradable chemicals to lift stains from the surface of a roof. In this way, our professionals can restore your roof to its original beauty while protecting and preserving the underlying surface.
What Is The Difference Between Soft Washing And Power Washing/pressure Washing
Although soft washing, power washing and pressure washing seem similar they all use different techniques, equipment, pressure and chemicals. Power washing and pressure washing use a much more powerful water pressure than soft washing and power washing is typically done with much hotter water than pressure washing. The Soft Washing method is combined with a biodegradable disinfecting cleaning solution to kill the mold, mildew, bacteria, algae, fungus, moss and more.
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A: Soft Wash Roof Cleaning = Chemical Cleaner & Low Pressure Rinse
Of course the answer to the first question should always be NO !
But the answer to are you using a pressure washer really shouldnt be no. Why? Gravity The reality of roofs being over head means that household water pressure has to work even harder to get to the roof, which means the pressure is lower. Typically a garden hose at roof level will output no more than 65psi in a jet stream, and well under 10 psi in a fan spray.. Essentially useless!
A pressure washer is needed to get a consistent working pressure onto the roof. Not a crazy roof drilling 3000psi of pressure, but a working pressure between 150 200psi. So to get in front of the question of a pressure washer, the term soft wash roof cleaning became one of several roof cleaning buzzwords. . All these terms mean is a sensible use of pressure to rinse the roof without damaging the shingles .
So to answer your question. Back in 2008 when you cleaned your roof you actually were performing a soft wash roof cleaning ! Whats different now? Nothing , just better terminology from an roof cleaning industry that is maturing. So order the same Contractor Roof Cleaner you had back then, and put that green tip on the pressure washer and soft wash your roof again!
How Does Soft Washing Work
Instead of relying on high pressure to blast away dirt and grime, soft washing uses a combination of low-pressure power washing and cleaning solutions to clean surfaces. These solutions settle in the layers of dirt, eating them away from the inside. The cleaners then use low-pressure power washers to rinse the surface.
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Roof Moss Treatment Cost
Roof moss treatment costs $100 to $250 and prevents new moss growth. If not treated, moss will continue to grow over time and may work its way under the shingles or tiles, causing damage and leaks.
Zinc strips cost $30 to $60 for a 50-foot roll to protect against moss and mildew growth. Avoid using zinc sulfate powder as it may run off the roof in rainwater and kill the surrounding landscape.
Top 4 Reasons To Clean Your Roof With Premier Softwash
Improve the look of your property
Cleaning your roof is a small cost and makes a large difference.
Extend the life of your roof
Preserve your investment. Our biodegradable formula increases shingle life by up to 50%.
Save your shingles and your wallet by taking care of your roof and preventing deterioration.
Health advantages
Mold, mildew, fungi and algae are all on the Top 10 Allergy Irritants list. Mold and fungi are also causes of Sick Building Syndrome and Legionnaires Disease.
Soft Washing vs. Pressure Washing
Either way, youll get your roof clean, but soft washing and pressure washing arent the same. Theyre actually quite different, which is why you shouldnt be pressure washing your roof.
Thats because pressure washing uses a lot of pressure thats meant to clean more forcefully. This is great for surfaces like concrete that can handle the pressure, but your roof is made up of tiles that can crack and chip under pressure. Bear in mind that the pressure involved here is around 1300 to 3100 PSI, which is a potential cause of damage.
Youll get the best results with this effective combination that will ensure that your roof stays cleaner for longer.
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Is Mold Killing Your Roof
Roof discoloration is caused by a species of algae called Gloeocapsa Magma sometimes called Black Algae or Roof Algae. This type of algae is contained in and transported through the air and tends to collect and grow upon roofing structures. This growth on your roof looks dirty and will reduce the life of your shingles.
As the fungus breaks down the asphalt shingle, the ceramic granules protecting the surface of the shingle are loosened. Once they begin to fall off it causes the roof to deteriorate and will diminish its ability to reflect heat. If not treated, the roof algae will reduce the life of your roof and increase your home cooling expenses.
Please contact us for more information, or use our quick quote form for a free estimate.
*When your roof is cleaned, it may temporarily turn the stains, streaks, dirt, and green algae into a white color.
How To Avoid These Mistakes
The chemical mix should be properly prepared and suitable for washing the surface. Most times, buying chemicals that have a mild reaction can solve the problem of an improper mix.
Learning to walk correctly on the roof, taking one calm step at a time, will reduce the impact the person walking on it has on the roof.
The surrounding plants should be considered before washing and after washing the roof.
All the solutions to the top 3 problems of soft wash roof cleaning mentioned earlier can be summarized with one point, get a professional to do your roof cleaning job. A quick do it yourself video is not enough to wash your roof.
Sometimes the DIY videos that explain how to wash roofs soft would not teach you all the skills you need to do the washing or how to guarantee your safety while washing.
Employing a professional to take on the task will provide a better washing experience for your roof. Most professional roof cleaning service providers know the mistakes and have the required skills to avoid them.
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The Truth Behind Roof Stains What They Are Why They Are There And How They Got There
Roof cleaning as an industry is very new. Bursting onto the scene in the late 1980s and early 1990s there have been as many methods for cleaning roofs as the organisms growing on top of them. Initially, roof cleaning was a garage art at best. Primarily a phenomenon in the Southern United States, roof cleaning was thought of as a regional service with the hot spot in the state of Florida. Initially, the focus of ridding the roof surface of ugly black streaks was a basic cleaning function. However, these black streaks are truly an infection of organic materials that are better addressed with algaecides such as you would address a fungal infection in your garden. To approach roof staining in this way was different than any other previously taken, and led to a revolution in the roof cleaning industry.
