How does roof soft washing work?
We apply a biodegradable treatment to the roof at low pressure. It soaks into the lichen, moss, algae and mould and kills it at the root. Some of it rinses straight off with a gentle rinse, and the rest loosens and washes away over the next few rains. That's why a roof can keep looking better for a week or two after we've been.
Why won't it break my tiles?
Because nothing is blasting them. High pressure is what cracks tiles, erodes the ridge capping mortar, moves tiles out of place and drives water up under the roofline. Soft washing avoids all of that. We don't use high pressure on tiled roofs at all. While we're up there we check the ridge cap pointing and look for loose tiles, and we tell you if anything needs a roofer.
Which roofs can be soft washed?
Terracotta and concrete tiles respond well. Corrugated iron and Colorbond get lichen spots and black algae streaks in our humidity, and the treatment removes those without harming the coating. Painted roofs can be done too, with a gentler approach, and we assess them first. Older roofs are exactly where soft washing makes the most sense, because they're the ones most likely to be damaged by pressure.
What about roofs with solar panels?
Tell us about the panels when you book so we can plan around them. The panels themselves are cleaned with deionised water and soft brushes, not the roof treatment, and it makes sense to do both on the same visit. See solar panel cleaning.
How long does a clean last?
Because the growth is killed rather than scraped off, regrowth is much slower than after a pressure clean. Most roofs start showing lichen and algae again within one to two years in our climate, so that's a sensible cleaning interval. Trimming overhanging branches and keeping the valleys and gutters clear slows it down further.
Cleaning before a roof is painted or restored
Coatings don't stick well to lichen, moss or chalky residue, so the roof needs a proper clean first. A soft wash gets it clean without damaging the tiles before the painter starts. Let us know the painting date so there's time for the roof to dry.
Should I do the gutters at the same time?
Yes. Cleaning the roof sends debris into the gutters and valleys, so we do the roof first and the gutters straight after, then flush the downpipes. See gutter maintenance.
Is it safe for the garden?
The treatment is biodegradable and safe for plants and animals once diluted in rainwater runoff. We pre-water the garden beds under the roof line as a precaution on every job.
Suburbs where this comes up most
Arundel · Ashmore · Robina · Oxenford · Thorneside · Forest Lake · Wynnum · Mudgeeraba
Related services
- Professional Roof Cleaning Services
- Professional Gutter Cleaning & Maintenance
- Professional Solar Panel Cleaning
More guides
- Soft washing vs pressure washing: which does your Gold Coast home need?
- How much does house washing cost on the Gold Coast?
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