Soft Washing Services

Soft washing is a revolutionary cleaning method that involves a low-pressure cleaning process that is now commonly used for safe treatment and removal of organic matter, including algae, bacteria, mildew, moss, lichens, as well as dirt, grime, and spiderwebs. Most people have opted for soft washing services Rockford as an alternative to pressure washing because it doesn’t use high pressure that could cause damage.

Soft washing is now a widely accepted cleaning technique thanks to the use of low-pressure water and eco-friendly cleaning detergents that ensure safe cleaning of exterior surfaces of a home or business premise. The cleaning solution used for soft washing can effectively get rid of moss, mold, bacteria, mildew, and other microorganisms.

Cleaning Solutions

This cleaning solution has three main ingredients:

Bleach – It’s the primary agent that cleans and disinfects surfaces.
Surfactant – It loosens up dirt, mold, and other substances between surfaces.
Water – For diluting bleach concentration.

Soft washing uses low water pressure, and therefore, it is ideal for cleaning more fragile exterior surfaces of your home. High water pressure could damage these surfaces. This cleaning method is highly recommended for the following surfaces:

Windows
Roof shingles
Glass doors
Vinyl siding
Screens
Lanais
Patio enclosures
Coquina
Stucco
Cedar shake siding
Outdoor furniture
Wood panel siding

What is Soft Washing?

Soft washing is a cleaning method that combines both low-pressure washing and a mixture of bleach, algaecides, surfactants, and water clean and gets rid of organic stains, algae, and mildew safely from the exterior surfaces.

What Is the Difference Between Soft Washing and Pressure/Power Washing?

While most people think soft washing and pressure washing are similar, they are quite different in terms of the techniques, pressure, equipment, and chemicals used. The water pressure used for pressure washing is much more than the one used for soft washing.

Furthermore, there is also a little difference between power washing and pressure washing in the sense that the former typically uses much hotter water than the latter. When it comes to soft washing, it combines low-pressure water and a biodegradable disinfecting cleaning solution to clean, kill, and remove algae, mold, moss, bacteria, fungus, and more.

When Is It Recommend To Use Soft Washing Method?

Having been in the industry for over 25 years, we can confidently recommend soft washing services Rockford for surfaces that are notoriously difficult to clean with pressure or would be damaged if high pressure is used on them, such as roof shingles, windows, wood paneling, screens, etc. Initially, soft washing was only used for cleaning off algae from the roof shingles.

How Is Soft Washing Done?

First, we start by preparing the surrounding area to protect any plants or grass around the surface to be cleaned. Then, we prepare a cleaning solution. Once we are done with the preparation of the solution, we will load it into a sprayer so that we can apply it on the surface for cleaning.

Soft washing services Rockford involves running water through a pump and hose at very low pressure. The cleaning solution mixture flows through the hose connected to the pump. The hose is then directed to spray out the water mixture on the surface being cleaned.

The soft wash system usually mixes a higher concentration of cleaning solutions and a higher volume of water and sprays it out at a low pressure to clean the surface. The cleaning solution is applied gently at a pressure less than what comes out of your garden hose.

Once we finish soft washing, we can either leave the solution to settle on the surface to allow it to kill everything down to the roots, like when cleaning the roof, or rinse it off immediately when cleaning the siding. It all depends on the type of surface being cleaned. The concentrations for roof cleaning are typically higher than the ones for siding.

Chemicals Used For Soft Washing

The cleaning solution used for soft washing a surface consists of the following:

Bleach – It kills any mildew and mold spores, moss, algae, and any other plants or fungi growing on your roof. Also, it gets into the root systems and kills them to prevent further damage to your tiles and stop anything from growing back.
Water – For diluting the bleach.
Cleaning surfactant – It loosens, traps, and carries away dirt and other substances during the cleaning process. Thanks to the surfactants’ chemical nature, they penetrate and get between the surfaces being cleaned, such as roof, and push substances clinging to them apart, and stick to the unwanted matter that clings to surfaces and lift them away in a process known as a roll-up.

It’s just like how the dish soap cleans residue stuck to a plate after a meal: it enhances water’s ability to wash away the unwanted muck. Moreover, the surfactant ensures greater effectiveness as it prevents excessive run-off to allow the cleaning agent to settle on your roof for a longer period.

Why Choose Soft Washing For Your Roof Cleaning

Algae (Gloeocapsa Magma) is common on many roofs, especially those that lack proper maintenance, and it often leaves signature black streaks all over shingles. This harmful growth thrives and spreads out in humid conditions and hot temperatures, and ends up having a destructive effect on your roof.

Certain types of shingles hold on to moisture that algae feed off. While the roof is adversely affected, the shingles begin to rot and eventually lose their ability to reflect UV rays. This is believed to have a detrimental effect on your roof, which can take up to ten years of its lifespan.

Soft washing is the only way you can avoid damaging your shingles and voiding the warranty while effectively cleaning and removing algae from your roof. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association recommends cleaning asphalt with low-pressure bleach or detergent-assisted washing as the preferred method to prevent damage to damage to your shingles.

Pressure washing, even when done at low pressure, can cause damage that might void your roof’s warranty and lead to granular loss. This means that the intense pressure of the water used for pressure washing can cause damage that might compromise the integrity of your roof tiles.

Soft Washing Services

In addition, pressure washing will only scrub and clean the surface of your roof but it won’t get rid of the root systems and growths in, around, and under the tiles.

Soft washing Rockford can effectively and safely restore the attractive appearance of your roof that had been lost due to plant, fungal, and bacterial life, and will not pose any risk of damage to the roofing materials.

If you are looking for effective, safe, and affordable soft washing services Rockford, contact RPW ProWash today. We provide a free, no-obligation quote. Call us now at (779) 348-3135 or fill out our online contact form.