Roof Soft Washing in Anaheim, CA

Roof soft washing cleans a roof with a cleaning solution and low pressure instead of a high-pressure stream. Many Orange County homes have concrete or clay tile roofs, and both are easy to damage with pressure. Cost guides are blunt about it: Fixr warns that clay and ceramic tile do not handle high-pressure cleaning well and can chip, crack or break, and that high pressure can damage concrete tile and shorten the roof's life. HomeAdvisor says porous clay tile cannot take pressure washing at all. A soft wash avoids those risks.

What builds up on Anaheim roofs

In a dry climate, roofs collect dust, pollen, leaf litter and bird droppings more than thick moss. Black streaks on north-facing slopes are usually algae, and lichen and green growth show up under overhanging trees and in valleys where debris holds moisture. After the Santa Ana wind season, fine dust and blown debris collect in valleys, behind chimneys and along the eaves.

How a soft wash works on tile

We apply the solution from the ground, a ladder or the edge of the roof, at low pressure, and let it break down the growth and grime. Then we rinse gently. We avoid walking on tile wherever possible, because tile can crack under a foot even when it looks solid. Where foot traffic cannot be avoided, we step on the lower part of each tile where it is supported by the tile beneath, and we tell you about any cracked or slipped tiles we see so you can have a roofer look at them.

Shingle and flat roofs

Asphalt shingle roofs get the same low-pressure approach. High pressure can loosen shingles and knock off the granules that protect them from sun. Low-slope and flat roofs on additions and garages are checked for drains and seams before we start.

Gutters, plants and runoff

Roof wash water flows into gutters and downspouts, and in many Anaheim homes the downspouts drain onto the driveway or straight to the curb. Before washing, we look at where each downspout goes. We redirect them onto lawn or planting beds where the water can soak in, or recover the water at the outlet, so none of it reaches the gutter or a catch basin, as Anaheim's stormwater code and the countywide guidance require. Plants under the eaves are wetted and rinsed again afterward.

What soft washing will not do

Cleaning does not repair cracked tile, worn underlayment or flashing, and it is not a roof inspection. If we see broken or slipped tiles, exposed underlayment or loose flashing, we stop and tell you before cleaning around them.

How often roofs need it

Many tile roofs go several years between cleanings. Shaded roofs under trees and roofs with visible black streaks or growth need it sooner. A cleaning before selling a house, or before installing solar panels, can make sense, since panels make the roof under them hard to reach later.