The names contradict each other so what is the difference?
Soft Washing VS. Power Washing
After years of power washing using up to 4000 PSI to remove mold and mildew stains it became apparent that there is a more effective and safer way to clean. This is where we discovered Soft Washing. We became Soft Wash Systems Certified by taking classes, working on jobs with instructors then passing 8 tests. The soft washing technique and equipment allow us to use low pressure to clean all types of roofing and siding material. It is safer and more effective. We now only use our power washers as rinsing devices at low pressure to reach high sections of houses and buildings and in combination with the soft washing process to clean stone/concrete/pavers and any flat work. The reason that the term power washing is still used has more to do with its industry term recognition than anything else.
Why Soft Wash VS. Power Washing?
Soft Washing allows you to use very low pressure with the use of 12volt pumps. That prevents any potential damage of using high pressure on soft surfaces such as wood, painted surfaces, Dry-Vit/Stucco and roof shingles. With Soft Washing, the combination of the right detergents and low pressure there is a 100% kill ratio of Mildew, Mold and Moss.
What is Soft Washing?
Soft Washing is gentle and non-abrasive yet highly effective method. We use a custom made soft washing system comprised of a solution tank and a “low pressure” pump. Our cleaning solutions are comprised of mildew-cides, algae-cides, soaps, & surfactants. These solutions are mixed on-site and to the specific needs of the surface to be cleaned. First, the solutions are applied thoroughly to the surfaces targeted and given time to kill the mold, mildew, algae and fungus deep at its roots. Then, we rinse the surfaces thoroughly with fresh water at low pressure. We take great care of all plants and landscaping by thoroughly wetting them down and or covering them with plastic when necessary.
50% Of Roofs Are Replaced Due To The Way They Look.
This is not because of their functionality. Half of roofs ever replaced didn’t need to be replaced, only cleaned. Just as mold and mildew can grow on your vinyl siding, wind blown algae (Algae spores are carried by the wind, which is why so many houses in the same neighborhood end up with this problem) can land and grow on your roof. Replacing your roof because of these algae’s and stains is like replacing your siding instead of having it cleaned; it just doesn’t make sense.
Some roofing contractors don’t know what the black streaks are, saying it’s the asphalt showing through the shingles or that it’s water stains. Some contractors may know it’s algae but tell you it can’t be cleaned without damaging the shingles. In either case, they may tell you that the roof needs to be replaced. This is not true if your shingles are still in good shape. The algae can be killed and removed properly without damaging the shingles using a soft wash chemical application (recommended by shingle manufacturers).
Our process is a soft wash roof cleaning. It is similar to pest control in that we are killing the organisms infesting the roof without damaging the shingles.We do not power wash the roof or use a power washer for any part of the roof cleaning process. All black streaks will be gone by the time we leave. Any moss left behind will be dead, white and will fall off after a couple heavy rains. We recommend that the dead moss and lichen be left to break at the root level after it is treated. We do not rinse the solution off, the longer it is left on the roof the more effective it is, as a preventive measure against future growth.
