Should a Georgia pressure washing company clean your roof?
Short answer. Only if they soft wash it. Many Georgia pressure washing companies offer roof cleaning, and the good ones treat shingles with a low pressure chemical wash instead of a pressure wand, because high pressure strips granules and can push water under shingles. Pressure washing is fine for driveways and many siding types, but not for asphalt shingles.
Safe and unsafe services for the roof system
- Shingles: soft wash only, with a cleaning solution applied at garden hose pressure and rinsed lightly.
- Gutter exteriors: the dark "tiger stripes" on gutter faces can be cleaned with appropriate gutter cleaners and gentle washing.
- Soffits and fascia: low pressure washing is generally fine on sound, painted surfaces; high pressure can force water behind trim and into the attic.
- Metal roofs: follow the panel manufacturer's cleaning guidance; aggressive chemicals can affect some finishes.
Questions to ask the company
- What equipment and pressure do you use on shingles?
- What is in your roof cleaning solution?
- How do you protect plants and handle runoff?
- Will anyone walk on the roof, and how do you limit foot traffic?
- Do you carry liability insurance?
Signs a roof was pressure washed too hard
- Heavy granules in the gutters and downspout splash areas.
- Patchy, lighter or shiny areas on the shingles.
- Lifted or torn shingle edges.
- New attic stains after the cleaning.
If you see these, document them with photos right away. For how algae forms and how to slow it down, read black streaks and algae on roofs, and for yearly upkeep, the Georgia roof maintenance checklist.