Roofing · Soft Wash Method
Roof Soft Wash
Pressure-washing a shingle roof voids most manufacturer warranties and shortens its life. Soft washing is the only correct method.
01 — What's included
What you get.
- Pre-inspection from the ground and ladder
- Plant and landscape pre-rinse
- Soft-wash treatment applied with low-pressure pump
- Dwell time — no immediate scrubbing or rinsing
- Gentle rinse if access and pitch allow, otherwise rain-rinse
- Walkthrough of results once the treatment dries
- Typical range
- $400–$700 for most single-story to two-story homes
- Cadence
- Every 2–3 years
02 — Why it matters
Why this service matters here.
The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association — the trade group representing nearly every shingle maker in the country — formally recommends soft washing with sodium hypochlorite as the correct cleaning method for asphalt shingles. Pressure washing a shingle roof dislodges the granular ceramic coating that protects the asphalt from UV; once that layer is gone, the shingle starts dying. Soft washing kills the algae (gloeocapsa magma) at the root, doesn't disturb the granules, and is what your roof warranty actually permits.
03 — Our approach
How we work.
We assess the roof from the ground and a ladder — we don't walk pitched shingle roofs unless absolutely required, both for safety and because foot traffic on hot shingles damages them. Our soft-wash pump throws the treatment up onto the roof from the ladder or from a safe ridge position. The solution does the killing. We don't 'scrub' a roof. The black streaks lighten visibly during the wash and continue lightening over the following week as rain finishes rinsing the dead organisms off.
What to expect on the day.
Roof work runs 1–3 hours for most homes. You'll see immediate lightening of the streaks; the full result takes 7–14 days as the dead algae continues to weather off. Gutters get rinsed during the work. We always do roofs in calm weather — wind makes overspray management harder and we'd rather reschedule a day than rush.
04 — Common questions
Common questions for this service.
Don't see your question? Call or text (210) 577-6382.
01Is soft washing safe for asphalt shingles?
Is soft washing safe for asphalt shingles?
Yes — it's the method explicitly recommended by the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association. The risk with roofs is pressure, not chemistry. The soft-wash solution doesn't harm shingles; in fact, it stops the algae growth that's actively shortening their life.
02What about my gutters and downspouts?
What about my gutters and downspouts?
Gutters get rinsed clean as part of the work. If they're packed with leaves or backed up, we'll mention it — gutter cleaning is a separate service we can quote together.
03Do you walk on the roof?
Do you walk on the roof?
Almost never. We apply from ladders and rigging that lets us reach without putting weight on shingles. Walking shingled roofs — especially in summer when the asphalt is soft — does more damage than the algae we're cleaning off.
Related
Other things we clean.
Driveway & Concrete Cleaning
Surface-clean driveways, sidewalks, and patios that look new — without etching the concrete.
House Exterior Soft Wash
Low-pressure cleaning that lifts algae, mildew, and oxidation without damaging siding or paint.
Patio & Deck Cleaning
Right method for your surface — pressure for stone, soft wash for wood and composite — restored without damage.
Roof Soft Wash estimate
Ready for a real number?
Most roof soft wash quotes come back inside a day. Tell us what you need and we'll give you a real estimate.