Roof Cleaning – Soft Wash vs Pressure Washing: Interview with Georgia State Homes

 

Please tell us a little bit about your company and the services you offer.

My name is Mike Dingler and the name of my company is Firehouse Pressure Washing.  We preform residential and commercial pressure washing.  We clean homes, offices, storage facilities, retail stores, restaurants and shopping areas.  The company also has a painting division that is operated by my father, Larry Dingler. 

What are some of the biggest benefits of having your roof cleaned?

Customers may think that the biggest benefit would be the cosmetic improvement of a roof cleaning.  I believe it is the removal of harmful algae and bacteria that is living on your roof.  This algae and bacteria lives off of the limestone additive in roofing shingles.  If left to grow unchecked, it can take over the entire roof, which is unsightly and can also lead to premature roof replacement. 

How often should roof cleaning be done?

There are many factors that contribute to the growth of roof algae therefore there is no definitive answer to this question.  The position of the home, sunlight exposure, temperature, humidity, etc. all play a part in how fast organisms can grow on a roof.  I would recommend that whenever the black algae is visible that it be taken care of before it grows over the entire roof.

Can you briefly explain the main differences between the soft wash process and pressure washing?

Soft washing is a technique in which a cleaning mix is applied and then thoroughly rinsed using a soft spray pattern. Soft washing does NOT rely on the pressure of the water, or PSI, to clean like traditional pressure washing does. Soft washing uses water volume to clean and this eliminates all risks that come with using high pressure such as vinyl damage, leaking windows, water blown into the attic, etc. 

Which type of cleaning is more effective for long-term results? Why? 

Soft washing.  Soft washing relies on a chemical cleaning process to kill off all mold, algae and mildew.  Pressure washing just blasts off the mold, algae and mildew that you can see on the surface.  Every porous surface will still hold whatever organisms are not neutralized chemically.  If they are killed off completely, they will not return for an extended period of time.  

Is there something most people don’t know about roof and exterior house cleaning that they should know? 

I don’t think people grasp the idea of how often a home should be cleaned to prolong paint life, shingle life, and any other building materials involved.  People clean their cars very often to keep a like new appearance and prolong life to the materials and our homes should be no different.  I am not suggesting one should pressure wash their home or roof once a week, but I would definitely suggest once every six months to once a year.

What’s the best way for people to contact your company?

770 468 0014 or www.firehousepowerwash.com