Soft Wash or Pressure Wash for a Sydney Roof
Updated: Sep 23
High pressure is the right tool for concrete on the ground. On a roof it is a different job. Too much pressure lifts tiles, marks colourbond and pushes water under the lap. Spotless Pressure Kleen, based in Beverly Hills, chooses the method after looking at the roof.
What soft wash means on a roof
Soft wash uses low pressure and a biodegradable mix that releases moss, algae and lichen. The chemical does the work. The rinse takes the growth off. It is the method we use when the surface is fragile or coated.
When a controlled pressure wash is still right
Sound concrete tiles with heavy dirt, washed at a pressure set for tiles, not for a driveway.
Some metal roofs where the coating is intact and the growth is sitting on the surface.
Gutters and valleys, which are metal and can take a rinse once the leaves are out.
Colourbond, terracotta and old tiles
Lichen on colourbond looks like black spotting. A hard blast can dull the finish, so soft wash is the usual choice. Terracotta and old concrete tiles are porous and hold moisture. We soft wash those, then check the valleys. The full service is on our roof cleaning page.
Call 0450 588 489 with the suburb and a photo of the roof. Quotes are free.
When should a Sydney roof be soft washed instead of pressure washed?
Soft wash is the usual choice for terracotta, older concrete tiles and colourbond. The mix does the cleaning at low pressure, so water is not driven under the tiles or into the coating.
Can high pressure damage concrete roof tiles?
Yes, if the pressure is set for a driveway rather than a roof. It can crack tiles, lift the leading edge and force water into the ceiling. On a roof we set the pressure for that surface, or we soft wash it.