Over the years, soft washing has become one of the standard practices in roof cleaning. As more homeowners are opting for this procedure, it’s essential to know the do’s and don’ts to ensure satisfying results and eliminate potential safety and damage risks. So, here are some tips on how to soft wash a roof for an effective and less hassle cleaning.

Prepare Your Home

If you have furniture or appliances outdoors, it’s best to move them away to prevent them from getting wet or sprinkled with cleaning agents. Ensure that the area around your home is as clear as possible, including the patio, lawn, and garage. Even small objects or ornaments should be removed to avoid potential safety or tripping hazards.

You should also make sure that all doors and windows are tightly closed prior to soft washing a roof. If you know of any areas in your exterior with leakage problems, let the soft washer know immediately.

Protect Surrounding Plants and Shrubs

Certain chemicals can pose a risk to plants. Once absorbed, the substance can inhibit their ability to take in water and nutrients, causing them to eventually starve.

To protect your greenery at home while soft washing, pre-wet the plants, especially those that fall directly under the roofline. This will help protect the leaves from potential burns caused by the chemicals. You can also cover the bushes, potted plants, and shrubs with a clear plastic or tarp.

Don’t Use Laundry Detergents on Roof Shingles

While laundry detergents can eliminate moss, they can also damage your roof when used on shingles. These chemicals strip away the asphalt, tar, and oil protecting the shingles, which furthers the erosion of the materials.

Don’t attempt cleaning your roof with laundry detergents. If you’re unsure what cleaning agent to use, it’s best to let the professionals choose the right solution for the type of roof you have.

Don’t Do It Yourself

Roof cleaning may seem like a task you can do yourself. But it has inherent risks that are best left to professionals to deal with. For example, it requires an expert to ensure that the right chemicals are used and proper techniques are applied. If done incorrectly, the substances can damage your home’s exterior instead of improving it.

Depending on your roof’s shape and height, soft washing can also pose safety hazards when performed without proper equipment. A roof harness and anchor must be used when cleaning a sloped roof. Additional gears like helmets and eye protection should also be worn if chemicals are used. Hiring a service company in Staunton doesn’t only lessen the risks but also saves you lots of time, effort, and labor.

Let Lambert Cleaning Address Your Roof Cleaning Needs

Lambert Cleaning makes roof cleaning easy with soft washing. We use environment-friendly, water-based chemicals in soft washing a roof to break down even the toughest of dirt and grime. Call us today!