Roof cleaning guide
Power Washing vs Soft Washing a Roof: Which One Fits Yours
Concrete tile roofs can usually take a careful power wash. Shingle roofs should only be soft washed, which uses a cleaning solution and low pressure instead of force. The picker on this page shows what fits your roof.
- CCC1332678Florida certified roofing contractor
- Since 2014Based in Dr. Phillips, Orlando
- Answered 24/7The phone line, any day
Power washing vs soft washing: find the method for your roof
The material decides the method.
Pick your roof, then what you see on it. Your answer appears in the orange-edged box.
Your answer
Pick a roof and what you see.
Get the roof inspected first
Cracked, slipped or missing roofing and active leaks are weak spots, and cleaning pushes water into them. Start with a free roof inspection.
Careful power washing
Concrete tile can take it from someone who knows tile. Clay tile or not sure which? Start with a free roof inspection. See what a careful job looks like.
Soft wash only
Do not let anyone put a pressure washer on shingles.
Find out the material first
A free roof inspection tells you what you have and what shape it is in.
Why shingle roofs are soft washed
A shingle roof is covered in small granules that shield it from sun and rain. A pressure washer blasts them off, and the roof wears out and leaks sooner.
A soft wash uses a cleaning solution at low pressure. The solution does the work, so the granules stay put.
What a careful power wash of tile looks like
A tile roof takes more pressure than shingles, but it has limits. For concrete tile, the tile maker Eagle Roofing says a careful job uses:
- Water only, as the first choice
- Pressure that never goes over 1200 psi
- The most diluted cleaner that works, if a cleaner is needed at all
Get the roof checked before anyone cleans it
Cleaning is the wrong first step on a roof with cracked tile, loose or missing shingles or an active leak. Water and pressure find those weak spots. Streaks alone do not mean a roof is failing, but only an inspection shows what sits under the dirt.
It tells you whether the roof needs a repair or just a wash. Repairs cost money, and you hear the price before any work starts.
Questions to ask before you hire a roof cleaner
Hover over or tap a card to see what a good answer sounds like.
Common questions about roof cleaning
Why does my roof have black streaks?
Black streaks are usually algae. They are common in Orlando’s heat and humidity and show up first on shaded areas that stay damp. Buildup can hold moisture against the roof, so it is worth a look.
Will the stains come back after a cleaning?
They can. Cleaning removes the growth that is there now, not the conditions that let it come back, so expect it to return over time.
Should I clean my roof myself?
For most homeowners, no. A roof is steep and slippery when wet, and walking on tile can crack it. If you want it cleaned, hire someone who knows your roof type, and get the roof checked first.
Will cleaning stop a roof leak?
No. Cleaning removes growth and dirt. It does not repair a damaged tile, shingle or flashing. A ceiling stain or drip means the roof needs an inspection.
Find out what your roof can take
Call and tell us what you are seeing, or send a request and the office calls you back to set a time.
