Is your property’s roof in need of care? Over time, your roof will gather debris, and if you ignore this problem, you’re in for a world of trouble. Dirty roofs look worse, and they are also at greater risk of damage. Obviously, you don’t want to deal with these dilemmas, so avoid them entirely with a roof soft wash! Just keep in mind that you’ll encounter challenges during your DIY roof soft wash—five of which we’ll review in the sections below.
Learn more with JayBee Pressure Washing, the go-to roof cleaning company in Atlanta, GA. And remember, we’d be happy to do your roof soft wash for you. Just give us a call, and we’ll lend you a helping hand.
#1: Planning Your Roof Soft Wash
The first challenge of a DIY roof soft wash is planning your project. It might sound like it’s as simple as picking a day on your calendar, but there are many factors you have to consider. First and foremost, think about how much time you’ll need for the work. Cleaning your own roof will take hours, especially if you’ve never gone through the process before. So, give yourself plenty of free time for the project, and don’t schedule your project on a day when you have appointments and other obligations.
You’ll also want to make sure you are well-rested before doing your roof soft wash. This work involves physical labor and will take you to the highest reaches of your property. So, you’ll definitely want to be focused. Don’t feel well? Didn’t get enough sleep last night? Then delay your project until you’re in good enough condition to handle this project.
#2: Getting the Necessary Equipment
Once you’ve chosen a time and date for your DIY roof soft wash, you’ll need to make sure you have the right tools for the work. Otherwise, you won’t get very far into the roof cleaning process. First and most importantly, you’ll need a pressure washer. This piece of machinery connects to a water source, pressurizes the water, and expels it through a hose. With this pressurized water, you’ll be able to remove all unwanted debris and completely restore your roof’s cleanliness.
What other tools will you need for your roof soft wash? Other necessary pieces of equipment include the following:
- Hose and Nozzles: These connect to your pressure washing and make the soft washing process possible. In most cases, they will come with your pressure washer.
- Basic Detergent: Typically, your pressure washer will have a soap tank that you can add this cleaning solution to, helping remove debris.
- Sodium Hypochlorite and Spray Applicator: This is essential for the removal of stubborn debris, especially moss, mold, and algae.
- Ladder: You won’t be able to reach your roof without one, so make sure it’s tall enough. And remember, your safety is important and should be your first priority.
- Safety Gear: To reduce the risk of injuring yourself with pressurized water, always wear goggles, gloves, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes.
#3: Using Your Ladder Correctly
During a roof soft wash, your safety should be your highest priority. Because of this, we want to highlight that ladder misuse is the biggest cause of roof cleaning accidents. It’s easy to see why. One wrong move, and you could take a tumble. Falling off a ladder could seriously injure you, transforming your day of cleaning the roof into a day at the hospital.
Our first word of advice is to make sure your ladder is set up in a flat, stable area. Does the ladder wobble when you step on the first rung? If so, don’t go any farther! Reposition the ladder and only climb it when it doesn’t rock or sway. And don’t forget the rule of three points of contact. You have two arms and two legs; three of them should be gripping the ladder at all times. This heavily reduces the risk of a fall.
#4: Using the Correct Amount of Water Pressure
To do your roof soft wash correctly, you’ll need to use the correct amount of water pressure. If you use too much water pressure, it will almost certainly cause damage. Roofs are delicate structures that can easily warp or break when pressure washed. This will cause damage, and that will result in the need for costly repairs. Obviously, you don’t want to wind up in this predicament, so do your research and ensure you’re doing the work right.
So, how much water pressure will you need to complete your roof soft wash? Here are some common roofing materials, as well as the best pressure setting to clean them with:
- Asphalt Shingles: 100–300 PSI
- Metal Roofs: 1,200–1,500 PSI
- Clay Tile Roofs: 1,200–1,800 PSI
- Concrete Tile Roofs: 1,500–2,000 PSI
#5: Removing All Debris From Your Roof
The hardest part of a roof soft wash is ensuring perfect results. Some debris will rinse away without much of a fight, which you’ll appreciate. However, other grimy patches will test your patience and seemingly never wash off. Whatever you do, don’t give up. We highly recommend using your spray applicator and sodium hypochlorite in this scenario.
First, apply a thin layer of sodium hypochlorite to the dirty area. Then, wait fifteen minutes for stubborn debris to be broken down. This will significantly weaken it so it can be more easily removed. Finally, soft wash the area and get rid of that grime for good. You’ll be amazed at how much of a difference sodium hypochlorite makes.
Need Professional Roof Cleaning?
Let’s make something clear. A DIY roof soft wash isn’t easy. Because of this, many property owners choose to schedule professional roof cleaning services instead. Want to follow in their footsteps? If so, reach out to JayBee Pressure Washing, and we’ll lend you a helping hand!
Contact us online with information about your roof, and it will be our pleasure to provide you with a free cost estimate. Then, you can choose a time and date for your appointment. We will see you in the near future—let’s make your roof spotless again!
