Is your property overdue for a roof soft wash? If so, you’ll need to make a plan to clean the roof’s surface. You may even decide that you’d like to do this work on your own. This is absolutely a feasible option; however, you need to be prepared for potential challenges along the way. In this blog, we’ll outline five difficulties you’ll face during your DIY roof soft washing—and we’ll also teach you strategies to overcome these challenges, too!
At Riptide Wash, we love serving the Wilmington community, and we’d love to serve you next. So give us a call if you want a professional roof soft wash. We’ll do the hard work for you!
#1: Determining If It’s Time For Roof Cleaning
The first challenge you’ll face is determining if it’s time to schedule a roof soft wash. How will you know if your roof is overdue for cleaning? There are many signs; you just need to keep an eye out for them. These include the following:
- An obviously dull and dark appearance
- Patches of moss, mold, and algae
- Accumulating leaves, twigs, and sticks
- Increased pest activity
- If it’s been over a year since your roof was last cleaned
Does your roof fit one or more of these criteria? If so, plan to clean your roof sooner rather than later. Waiting to clean your roof will cause it to gather more debris, become even filthier, and increase the risk of surface damage.
#2: Making Sure You Have the Right Equipment
It goes without saying that you won’t be able to clean your roof unless you have the right tools. But what exactly does this equipment include? First and most importantly, you’ll need a pressure washer. A pressure washer is a machine that connects to a water source, pressurizes water, and expels it through a hose. Without a pressure washer, you won’t get far into your roof soft wash, so you’ll definitely want to buy or rent one.
In addition to a pressure washer, you’ll also need the following items:
- Attaching Hose and Nozzles
- Pressure Washing Detergent
- Sodium Hypochlorite
- Spray Applicator
- Ladder
- Protective Gear (Goggles, Gloves, Closed-Toe Shoes)
#3: Always Putting Your Safety First
If you are going to do your roof soft wash, always remember to take care of yourself. Your safety comes first; if you don’t put your safety first, you could wind up in serious trouble. Let’s start with some basic ladder safety guidelines:
- Remember the rule of three points of contact. Between your two arms and legs, three of them should be on the ladder at all times. This reduces the risk of damage.
- Always set your ladder on a flat, level surface. If you don’t, it is more likely to tip over, which could land you in the emergency room.
- Consider a safety ladder with a harness. The harness will protect you from falling, making it an invaluable part of your arsenal.
Additionally, don’t forget to always use pressurized water with caution. This water can easily hurt you if you aren’t careful. Only point your hose at the surfaces you intend to clean. Never point it at yourself, and always wear protective gear to shield your bare skin.
#4: Determining the Best Techniques
It’s not always clear what the best strategy is for a roof soft wash. This is especially true if you’ve never done the work before. The last thing you’ll want to do is wash your roof with extremely high-pressure water. This will actually damage almost all roof materials, including asphalt, clay, wood, and concrete. So, what’s the best strategy for the work?
For your roof soft wash, you’ll want to use low-pressure water. Stay within the range of 150 to 500 PSI, and use a gentle pressure washing detergent to help break down grime. This helps you revitalize your roof without damaging it in the process.
#5: Removing Stubborn Debris
What happens when you can’t remove all debris from your exterior surfaces? When normal soft washing techniques aren’t enough, use sodium hypochlorite to break down tough grime. Simply use a spray applicator to put a thin layer of this cleaning solution on your roof. Then, wait fifteen minutes for all debris to be broken down. Finally, soft wash the roof, and any stains that were previously too strong to remove shouldn’t last long.
Always prioritize the complete removal of all debris on your roof during your roof soft wash. That way, you can make your roof look its best!
Why Choose a Professional Roof Soft Wash?
When your roof is dirty, you have two options: cleaning it on your own, or scheduling an appointment with a professional business. As you’ve seen, there are many challenges involved in DIY roof cleaning. Because of this, you may want to consider full-service roof cleaning. Enjoy many benefits by booking services with Riptide Pressure Washing, including:
- Save time and energy. Doing your own work is a time- and energy-demanding process. By scheduling an appointment with us, you’ll be able to take time to relax while our professionals handle it all for you.
- Enjoy higher-quality results. Our experts understand the roof cleaning process and know how to remove all debris from roofs of all materials. Choose us and make your roof as clean as it can possibly be.
- Reasonable prices. We proudly provide fair prices to our clients. What you’ll pay is based on the size of your roof. There are no hidden fees or surcharges.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are ready to schedule a professional roof soft wash, why wait to get started? Contact us online with details about your project and get a free cost estimate today! We will get back to you as soon as possible with a quote, and then, you can choose a time and date for your appointment. It won’t be long before we’re there to serve you—we’ll soft wash your roof, remove all debris, and leave your property in stunning condition.
