When was the last time your property’s roof was cleaned? If it’s been a while, your roof has probably collected a wide variety of debris. When this happens, you’ll need to prioritize a roof soft wash if you want to solve the problem. You may even decide to do this work on your own! If you do, though, you’ll need to be prepared for the challenges you’ll face along the way. We’ll review these challenges below and show you how to overcome them!
We are Soda City Pressure Washing, and we are proud to be Columbia, SC’s first choice for roof cleaning services. So if you need our help, don’t be afraid to give us a call. We’ll wash your roof so you don’t have to.
#1: Finding Time and Energy For the Work
So, you want to do your own roof soft wash. However, if you plan to go ahead with this work, you’ll have to find room in your schedule. This can be particularly difficult if you already have a job, a list of errands to run, kids to pick up from school, and friends and family to visit. If you want to do your own roof soft wash, be sure to give yourself five or six hours for the work. That way, you don’t have to rush, and you have ample time to familiarize yourself with tools and techniques.
Additionally, make sure you are well-rested and prepared for the work. You definitely don’t want to leap into a DIY roof soft wash if you didn’t get enough sleep the previous night. Your full attention is required to mitigate the risk of damage and injury.
#2: Acquiring the Necessary Equipment
If you want to do your own roof soft wash, you’ll have to purchase the necessary equipment. So, it’s time to put together your shopping list. The first piece of gear you’ll need to buy is a pressure washer. This tool makes roof cleaning possible by pressurizing water and spraying it through a hose. The resulting jets of water remove debris from your roof and leave the surface in visually stunning condition.
In addition to a pressure washer, you’ll also need the following items:
- Attaching Hose and Nozzle
- Basic Pressure Washing Detergent
- Spray Applicator
- Sodium Hypochlorite
- Ladder
- Safety Gear (Goggles, Gloves, Closed-Toe Shoes)
#3: Staying Safe During Roof Washing
When taking on a DIY roof soft wash, you need to put your safety first. If you don’t take precautions, the risk of injury goes up significantly. First and foremost, make sure you always wear safety gear. This includes goggles, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. By wearing these, you’ll shield your bare skin, reducing the risk of you spraying yourself with pressurized water. This prevents bruises and even cuts.
You’ll also want to keep ladder safety in mind. Remember the rule of three points of contact—three of your four limbs should be gripping the ladder at all times. Always make sure your ladder is in a flat, level area, and make sure it doesn’t rock or tilt before climbing it. That way, you are much less likely to fall.
#4: Choosing the Correct Water Pressure Level
Do you know how much water pressure you should use during a roof soft wash? You should keep in mind that it’s a roof soft wash and not a roof pressure wash for a reason. Soft washing typically uses less than 1,000 PSI, making it the best technique for delicate materials. Nearly all roofs fall into this category. Cleaning roofs with high-pressure water could damage them, so make sure you soft wash them instead!
Here are some examples of different roofing materials, as well as how much water pressure to use when cleaning them:
- Asphalt Shingles: 100–400 PSI
- Cedar Shake / Wood Shingles: 300–600 PSI
- Slate Roofs: 400–700 PSI
- Metal Roofs: 600–900 PSI
- Clay Tile Roofs: 800–1,000 PSI
- Concrete Tile Roofs: 900–1,000 PSI
#5: Removing Tough Debris
What happens when your roof is covered with stubborn debris? Sometimes, standard pressure washing detergent in your soap tank won’t be enough to finish the job. You may need a special cleaning solution, such as sodium hypochlorite, to remove all grime. To use this cleaning solution, you’ll need to apply it to your roof with a spray applicator. A thin layer is all you need; then, wait fifteen minutes for debris to be broken down.
Some examples of the stubborn grime you’ll find during your roof soft wash include:
- Patches of moss and mold
- Algae and lichen
- Grease residue
- Rust and oil stains
Other Challenges of a DIY Roof Soft Wash
The five challenges we’ve listed so far are only the beginning when it comes to your DIY roof soft wash. There are other difficulties you’ll need to be prepared for, including:
- Learning how to safely navigate a slippery roof surface
- Preventing accidental damage to shingles or tiles
- Protecting nearby plants and landscaping from cleaning chemicals
- Reaching difficult roof angles and high peaks
- Preventing water from getting beneath shingles or flashing
If you don’t feel like you’re capable of surmounting all these challenges, we have good news for you. Simply reach out to Soda City Pressure Washing and schedule an appointment, and you’ll completely avoid the DIY process. In other words, our professionals will do all the work, and you’ll be able to sit back and relax for a while!
Getting Started With Soda City Pressure Washing
Reach out to Soda City Pressure Washing and schedule a full-service roof soft wash. That way, you can completely avoid the DIY process and spend your time and energy in other ways. Our professionals ensure high-quality results, and best of all, they provide them for a fair price that is well within your budget.
Contact us online and schedule an appointment with our team today! We’ll give you a free cost estimate based on the size of your project. Then, you can choose a time and date for your appointment, and we will be there soon to serve you.