Roof Cleaning Guide
Soft Washing vs Pressure Washing for Asphalt Shingles
High pressure voids your roof warranty and strips granules. Here's what the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association actually recommends — and a safety checklist before any crew touches your roof.
Why This Question Matters More Than You Think
Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material in Florida, and they're also the most misunderstood when it comes to cleaning. Every year, homeowners in Volusia and Flagler counties unknowingly void their manufacturer warranties by allowing pressure washing crews to blast their roofs with high-pressure water.
The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) is explicit: high-pressure washing is not an approved cleaning method for asphalt shingles. The granules embedded in your shingles are your roof's first line of defense against UV radiation and weather. Once they're gone, they don't come back.
Soft washing — low-pressure application of a biodegradable cleaning solution — is the ARMA-approved method. It kills algae, moss, and lichen at the root without touching a single granule.
Side-by-Side: Soft Wash vs Pressure Wash on Shingles
| Factor | Soft Wash ✓ | Pressure Wash ✗ |
|---|---|---|
| Water pressure | Under 100 PSI (garden-hose level) | 1,500–3,000+ PSI |
| Granule loss | None | Significant — accelerates aging by 5–10 years |
| Warranty impact | Preserves manufacturer warranty | Voids most manufacturer warranties |
| Algae kill method | Chemical treatment kills at root | Physical removal — regrowth in 3–6 months |
| Results longevity | 2–4 years typical | 3–6 months before regrowth |
| ARMA approved | Yes | No |
| Safe for landscaping | Yes (biodegradable formula) | Yes (no chemicals) |
7-Point Pre-Wash Safety Checklist
Before any crew gets on or near your roof, verify these seven items. Print this out and hand it to your contractor.
Confirm soft wash only — ask for PSI in writing
Any reputable roof cleaning company will confirm in writing that they use under 100 PSI on shingles. If they hesitate or can't give you a number, walk away.
Verify the cleaning solution is biodegradable
Bleach-based solutions can kill surrounding landscaping and contaminate stormwater. Ask for the product data sheet or SDS. Our formula is fully biodegradable and EPA-compliant.
Check the contractor's license and insurance
In Florida, any contractor working on a roof must hold a valid roofing contractor license. Verify at myfloridalicense.com. Our license number is CCC1336785.
Inspect shingles for existing damage before work begins
Document any cracked, curling, or missing shingles with photos before the crew starts. This protects you if a dispute arises later.
Protect gutters and downspouts
Cleaning solution runoff should be directed away from gutters or flushed through them with clean water. Ask how the crew handles runoff management.
Cover or pre-wet landscaping
Even biodegradable solutions can stress plants if applied in high concentration. A good crew will pre-wet surrounding plants and rinse them after the job.
Get a written warranty on the cleaning results
We back our soft wash results with a 12-month algae-free guarantee. If black streaks return within a year, we come back at no charge.
Pro tip: Screenshot or print this checklist and hand it to any roof cleaning contractor before they start. A reputable company will welcome the questions. One that doesn't is a red flag.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We're licensed roofing contractors — not just a pressure washing crew. That means we understand your roof before we touch it.