Comprehensive Guide to Soft Wash Roof Cleaning in Woodbridge, VA

• Preservation of Roofing Materials: Soft wash roof cleaning is gentle on shingles, tiles, and other roofing materials, preventing unnecessary wear and tear.

• Elimination of Harmful Contaminants: Algae, mold, and mildew growth not only detract from your home’s appearance but can also compromise the structural integrity of your roof. Soft wash cleaning effectively cleans these contaminants, protecting your roof.

Long-lasting Results: Soft wash roof cleaning in Woodbridge, VA, and Northern Virginia provides long-lasting results, keeping your roof free from organic growth for an extended period.

Clear the Area: Before the soft wash roof cleaning service, it is highly recommended that the homeowner move any objects or debris from around your home. This includes patio furniture, vehicles, fabric items like flags and outdoor carpets, and moveable potted plants to ensure unobstructed access to the roof and minimize risks from overspray.

Protect Surrounding Surfaces: Cover sensitive landscaping, outdoor furniture, and exterior surfaces with tarps or plastic sheeting to prevent damage from overspray and runoff. Heavily water shrubs, flowers, and grass adjacent to your home the day prior to your roof cleaning service so that plants are not “thirsty.” A professional service will perform this task when they arrive in addition to any pre-watering you may do.

Communicate with the Service Provider: Provide clear instructions and any pertinent information to the roof cleaning service. This includes any specific areas of concern or access instructions to ensure a smooth and efficient process.

Schedule Cleaning During Ideal Weather Conditions: Ideally, schedule soft wash roof cleaning on a clear day with moderate temperatures. Avoid scheduling the service when temperatures are below 60 degrees to allow for optimal conditions.

Follow Post-Cleaning Recommendations: After soft wash roof cleaning, follow any recommendations provided by the service provider to maintain the cleanliness and integrity of your roof. This may include periodic inspections, additional treatments as needed, or post-service watering of vegetation for additional care. Typically stains will disappear in only a few hours, and the next heavy rain will rinse your roof of any stubborn moss that may remain.

Before beginning your roof wash, technicians should bag or divert gutter downspouts to prevent highly concentrated treatment mix from harming plants and vegetation.

The ground crewman will begin spraying all plants and vegetation to coat leaves with fresh water and saturate the roots.

Areas with mild moss growth may be lightly brushed with a soft-bristle brush to agitate and loosen it; however, it is not recommended to aggressively remove moss because the roots can dislodge gravel and weaken the shingle’s pliability. Moss will turn white and die shortly after application and will then be washed off with a few heavy rains after the roots die and release.

Almost more important than the roof technician is the ground crewman. His job is to make sure that water is continuously sprayed to prevent overspray from landing on sensitive areas. He thoroughly rinses siding, gutter faces, windows, and other areas to prevent damage. This is why it is essential to ensure furniture and other items are moved away from the home before arrival.

Once prep work is completed, the roof technician will begin applying a sodium hypochlorite mixture (the chemical from which we derive bleach) and a surfactant that holds the chemical treatment to the roof, allowing it to work more effectively. The detergent will foam up while activating and killing bacteria growth known as Gleocapsa Magma, indicated by black streaks on shingles. Depending on the severity of the growth, the technician may rinse the roof and apply treatment again. Your technician will discuss options with you after the first application. Most often, these unsightly streaks are eliminated in one treatment.

Upon completion of the roof wash, the technician will dispose of downspout bags and spray water in those areas to dilute any overflow. Once the roof dries, the chemical converts to salt; however, after raining, the surfactant may cause soap bubbles at the downspouts. There is no need to worry—this soap is not harmful.

ProExteriorWash Plus will follow up after a few days to inquire about the results and may perform a site visit to inspect the work.