Soft Wash Roof Cleaning by ARCM Roofing
Professional soft wash roof cleaning that removes algae, moss, and lichen without damaging your shingles.
5 Highlights on Soft Wash Roof Cleaning
The Chemistry Does the Work, Not the Pressure
Soft wash roof cleaning is a low pressure treatment that kills organic growth at the root and protects your roofing materials from premature wear.
Low Pressure Application
We spray cleaning solutions at under 100 PSI, far gentler than pressure washing, which prevents granule loss on asphalt shingles and keeps your manufacturer warranty intact.
Kills Gloeocapsa Magma
Those black streaks come from airborne algae. Our sodium hypochlorite based solution eliminates the organism completely rather than just rinsing away surface stains.
Extends Roof Lifespan
Moss and lichen hold moisture against shingles and lift their edges. Removing them adds years of service life to asphalt, tile, metal, and cedar shake roofs.
ARMA Approved Method
The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association recommends soft washing as the safe cleaning standard for asphalt shingle roofs.
Results That Last
Our treatments keep roofs clean for four to six years, roughly four times longer than pressure washing, because we destroy the growth instead of spreading spores.
Under 100 PSI vs. a pressure washer's 1,500–4,000. Your granules stay put.
Why Choose Us
Why Choose Our Soft Wash Cleaning
Most cleaning companies don't understand roofs. We do. Our technicians shingle, seal, flash, and waterproof roofs every week, so we know exactly how much stress your roofing system tolerates and where water intrusion risks hide.
We're fully licensed and insured, and every technician completes soft wash certification training before touching a customer's roof. That matters when someone applies chemical solutions above your family's living space.
We treat every roof like we installed it ourselves.
Our differentiators speak for themselves:
Roofing contractors first
We inspect your shingles, flashing, and ridge caps during every cleaning and flag problems before they become leaks.
Calibrated solution mixing
We adjust sodium hypochlorite concentrations based on your roof material, growth severity, and surrounding landscaping.
Plant and property protection
We soak your landscaping before, during, and after treatment and cover delicate shrubs near downspouts.
Written two-year guarantee
If organic growth returns within two years, we retreat your roof at no charge.
Transparent pricing
You get a firm quote after inspection with no surprise charges on the invoice.
Warning Signs
Signs You Need Soft Wash Roof Cleaning
Black Streaks Running Down Your Shingles
Those dark stains aren't dirt. They're colonies of Gloeocapsa magma, a cyanobacteria that feeds on the limestone filler inside asphalt shingles. The streaks typically start on north-facing slopes where shade lingers and spread across the entire roof plane over time.
Green Moss Growing Along Shingle Edges
Moss acts like a sponge. It absorbs rainwater, holds it against your shingles, and lifts shingle edges as it thickens. Lifted shingles let wind-driven rain slip underneath the underlayment, and that's how ceiling stains start.
Lichen Patches Crusting the Surface
Lichen bonds directly to shingle granules with root-like structures called rhizines. Scraping it off tears granules away with it. Soft washing dissolves the bond chemically so the lichen releases without damaging the protective granule layer.
Granule Accumulation in Your Gutters
When algae and moss degrade your shingles, granules wash into the gutters during every rainstorm. Check your downspout splash blocks. Heavy granule deposits signal active deterioration that cleaning can slow.
Rising Cooling Bills in Summer
Dark algae stains absorb heat instead of reflecting it. A stained roof can raise attic temperatures noticeably, which forces your air conditioner to run longer. Homeowners often see cooling costs drop after we clean and restore the roof's reflective surface.
Catch it early — a soft wash costs a fraction of premature roof replacement.
How We Work
Our Soft Wash Cleaning Process
01
Roof Inspection
We walk the property, photograph problem areas, and check for loose shingles, damaged flashing, and deteriorated sealant. You receive a written condition report before we spray anything.
02
Property Protection
We soak all landscaping with fresh water, cover sensitive plants, and redirect downspouts away from garden beds. Pets stay indoors during treatment.
03
Solution Mixing
Our technicians blend sodium hypochlorite, surfactants, and neutralizing agents on site, calibrated to your specific roof material and the severity of growth.
04
Low Pressure Application
Using dedicated soft wash pumps, we apply the solution at garden hose pressure. The chemistry does the work, penetrating the growth and killing algae, moss, and lichen at the root.
05
Controlled Rinse
Where needed, we rinse treated areas with low pressure water. Moss and lichen release naturally over the following weeks as rain washes dead material away.
06
Final Walkthrough
We rinse your landscaping again, inspect the finished roof with you, and document the results with after photos. You get our two-year retreatment guarantee in writing.
Most residential treatments finish in two to four hours.
Brands We Use
Purpose-Built Soft Wash Equipment
SoftWash Systems
Industry-standard soft wash pump skids and training
AirMax
Proprietary roof cleaning surfactants and additives
Southside Equipment
Delux soft wash proportioning systems
Kings of Chemicals
Commercial sodium hypochlorite supply
Gaco
Surface neutralizers and protective treatments
Fatboy Pumps
High-volume air diaphragm pumps
Pentair Hypro
Chemical-resistant pump components
GutterStuff
Gutter protection during rinse phases
Werner
OSHA-compliant ladders and roof safety equipment
Guardian
Fall protection harnesses, anchors, and lifelines
Safety governs every job. Our technicians wear full PPE including respirators and chemical-resistant gear, follow OSHA fall protection standards, store and dispose of solutions per EPA guidelines, and never let runoff reach storm drains untreated.
FAQs
FAQs About Soft Wash Roof Cleaning
›What is soft wash roof cleaning?
Soft wash roof cleaning is a low pressure cleaning method that applies specialized solutions to kill algae, moss, lichen, and bacteria on roofing surfaces. It cleans at under 100 PSI, while pressure washing blasts surfaces at 1,500 to 4,000 PSI.
›When should I schedule a soft wash treatment?
Schedule cleaning as soon as you spot black streaks, moss patches, or lichen growth. Spring and fall offer ideal conditions, though we clean roofs year round in temperatures above 40 degrees.
›Why can't I just pressure wash my roof?
Pressure washing strips protective granules from asphalt shingles, voids most manufacturer warranties, and forces water under shingle edges. ARMA specifically warns against it.
›How does soft washing kill algae?
The sodium hypochlorite solution penetrates the organism and destroys it at the cellular level, roots included. Dead growth releases from the surface and washes away with rainfall over the following weeks.
›Can soft washing damage my plants?
Not when professionals handle it. We pre-soak your landscaping, neutralize runoff, and rinse everything again after treatment. Our crews protect gardens on every job.
›Does soft wash roof cleaning work on all roof types?
Yes. We clean asphalt shingles, clay and concrete tile, metal panels, cedar shakes, and slate. We adjust solution strength for each material.
›How long do results last?
A professional soft wash keeps your roof clean for four to six years, and our two-year guarantee covers any early regrowth at no cost to you.
Related Services
Clean for Four to Six Years, Guaranteed for Two
Under 100 PSI · ARMA-recommended · Landscaping protected