Roof soft wash
A roof soft wash is cleaning a roof with a low-pressure cleaning solution that kills the algae causing dark streaks, rinsed gently and never blasted with high pressure.
- roof cleaning
- roof wash
- roof treatment
- shingle cleaning
The black streaks on many shingle roofs are algae. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association says they may be lightened with a solution of household bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and water, left for 15 to 20 minutes and rinsed with a gentle spray, and warns not to use a power washer, which is likely to damage the shingles (ARMA).
Roofs usually carry a higher rate than other surfaces: ladders and safety gear, more chemical, more care with plants and gutters below, and more risk. Price by the square foot of roof (footprint times a pitch factor) or by roofing squares of 100 sq ft.
Formula
roof area = footprint × pitch factor pitch factor = √(1 + (rise ÷ 12)²), e.g. 6/12 → 1.118
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- GlossarySoft washingSoft washing is cleaning with a low-pressure spray of solution, usually diluted sodium hypochlorite and a surfactant, that kills algae, mold and mildew.Read
- GlossarySoft wash mix ratio (sodium hypochlorite)The soft wash mix ratio (SH mix ratio) is how much sodium hypochlorite is diluted with water for a soft wash, worked out from the product's strength and the strength you want at the surface.Read
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