Soft washing
Indian Rocks Beach Roof Soft Washing & Algae Stain Removal
Dark streaks on a Gulf-coast roof are usually algae, not dirt. We wash them off at low pressure, one section at a time, so the granules stay put.
What comes off the roof
Algae streaks
The dark runs that spread down shaded slopes in humid weather.
Moss
Soft growth lifted out of the shingle laps, where it holds moisture against the roof.
Debris
Leaves, palm litter and grit cleared out of valleys and off the eaves.
Grime
The dull film that hides the true color and condition of the shingles.
Why low pressure matters
A washer strong enough to blast algae off will blast granules off with it, and those granules are the shingle's sun shield. Soft washing relies on a gentle rinse and a cleaning solution given time to work, so the shingle surface is left as it was, only cleaner.
It is also the usual first step before shingle treatment: treatment needs a clean surface to soak into, and a washed roof shows its real condition at the assessment. Some owners want a soft wash on its own, simply to get the streaks off, and that is a perfectly good reason to call.
How a wash day goes
Cover
Beds, shrubs and outdoor furniture near the eaves are wetted and covered.
Apply
The solution goes on one section at a time, never across the whole roof at once.
Rinse
Each section is rinsed at low pressure, top down, before we move along.
Check
Every slope is looked over again and any streak left behind gets a second pass.
Soft washing questions
Will washing damage my shingles?
Not at the pressure we use. The aim is to clean the surface without scouring it, which is the whole reason for washing soft rather than hard.
Will the streaks come back?
Algae grows back in humid coastal air over time. A wash removes what is there now; when we think a later rinse is due, we will say so plainly.
What happens to my plants?
They are wetted and covered before any solution goes on, and rinsed again once the section above them is finished.
Streaks running down the roof?
Tell us where they are and how far they spread; we will say whether a wash is all the roof needs.