Is it better to pressure wash or soft wash a roof on the Gold Coast?

For a roof in Gold Coast, using a soft wash with a chemical cleaner is a better option than pressure cleaning. This process is effective in breaking down the dirt and gunk without causing any damage to the roof and is suitable for all roof types.

Not that high-pressure cleaning is ineffective. But, it might damage relatively fragile roof materials. High-pressure cleaning uses a high-velocity water jet with a pressure between 5 to 200 MPa. This makes it an efficient choice to remove stubborn dirt and contaminants from hard-to-reach areas, as well as moss and algal growth.

To remove stubborn grease and stains, the water can be heated to a specific temperature, close to 90°C or even higher, to enhance the cleaning effect. The high temperature also helps in disinfecting surfaces. Note that this process requires careful handling of the equipment to ensure the safety of the operators.

The choice of the type of roof cleaning depends on the specific conditions of your roof. It is best to get your roof inspected by professional roof cleaners who can suggest the best cleaning option for your roof.

Now, you may think of going the DIY route for roof cleaning. While that can lower the costs, the advantage of using a professional cleaning service is that they know the exact amount of pressure that should be applied to a roof. That helps to optimise cleaning and minimise damage risks. Besides, there are the risks of injury while working at heights or from improper handling of devices or chemicals. 

In short, the DIY option can look cheaper upfront. But once you do a proper cost-benefit analysis, you’ll find that going for a professional service is the smart investment.

Comparing Soft Washing and Pressure Cleaning

While a lot depends on the condition and structure of your roof, it’s important to dig deeper and learn the basic difference between these two processes before you choose. 

The water pressure used for soft-wash roof cleaning is 1,000-2,000 kPa, which ensures a gentle cleaning process. A cleaning agent is combined with water that help in breaking down the sticky grime. The chemicals also kill the moss and mould growth on the roof. Once the chemical has done its work, the roof is rinsed thoroughly with a low-pressure water jet.

Now, chemicals like sodium hypochlorite (commonly called bleach) are often used for soft washing. While such chemicals kill off bacteria and other organic matter effectively, they are not environmentally friendly. The best option is to use eco-friendly chemicals that do not affect the environment or the plants surrounding the house.

Soft washing works on all types of surfaces, even delicate ones, since the low pressure is unlikely to cause any surface damage.

Coming to high-pressure washing, the only cleaning agent used in this case is a powerful water jet. At the heart of this pressure cleaning machine lies a motor and a pump. The motor powers the pump, which pressurises the water. This water is carried through the hoses to a nozzle that generates the water spray. Beyond that, there can be other accessories that perform specialised cleaning tasks. 

Cold water pressure washing is best for removing dirt, sand, and other non-oily substances from the roof. The process is an affordable choice, and the average cleaning time is far less than soft washing. If you’re cleaning concrete, steel, or stone surfaces, this method works great.

On the downside, not all roofs can withstand a targeted stream of water at high pressure. In older roofs, this may cause water damage and cracking of the tiles. For example, it can remove the protective membranes on a Colorbond roof or the granules on asphalt shingles. Pressure washing can also cause streaking as the dirt is removed at a high force.