HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO CLEAN / SOFT WASH A ROOF?

There are many factors that contribute to the cost and value of soft washing one’s roof. Soft wash roof cleaning is just a mere fraction of roof replacement. Certainly part of the regular maintenance of an expensive roofing system is the removal of debris and cleaning of the roof's surface. This helpful guide can help you determine the applicable range of this essential maintenance expenditure.

Please complete this survey and we will be happy to email you a customized roof soft washing value report.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO CLEAN / SOFT WASH A ROOF?

2. ROOF PITCH

The pitch or slant angle of your roof dictates several variables that will either alleviate or add complexity to your soft wash roof cleaning. If a roof has a low to moderate pitch the soft washing chemicals will have less run-off and therefore less waste. Lower pitch roofs are easy to walk on and treat as well. Though we would rather not walk on your roof.

Higher/steeper pitched roofs will promote higher run-off and waste using much more chemicals and adding to the cost of your roof soft washing. Pitch also adds square footage. If your home is 2,000 square feet then almost certainly your roof is 30-50% more square footage than the foundation of your property.

Imagine two sheets of paper, one lying flat upon another. The bottom sheet being your foundation, the second sheet your roof. One sheet sits directly upon the other and the top sheet completely covers the first. Now take the upper sheet (the roof) and fold it in half. Place the now folded in half sheet (the roof) upon the bottom sheet (the foundation) and make it stand up as though it is a roof with pitch. See how the sheet with pitch not added covers less than the sheet when flat. This is why as you add more pitch to your roof it will add more square footage to cover with roofing materials and effort and chemicals to clean.

What is the estimated pitch of your roof?

Selection of an option *

A. My roof has a flat roof or little pitch.

B. My roof has a moderate yet still easily walkable pitch.

C. My roof has a steep un-walkable pitch. (or tile that I prefer not walked)

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO CLEAN / SOFT WASH A ROOF?

3. GABLES AND FEATURES

In the roofing industry gables and features are summed up in one term and that is called THE CUT RATE. The cut rate of a roof gives a sense to how complex the roof is with dormers, gables, turrets, and other architectural features that will add more surface to the roofing system. Cut rate combined with roof pitch can add a tremendous amount of extra square feet to a roof and thereby adding costs associated with your cleaning / soft washing. How much chemical is used is only a single consideration. We must also look at how some of those architectural features may inhibit treating the roof from the ground or with ladder and poles. If we will need to access your roof and walk on it then your soft washing will be more costly. These additional charges incur from the additional time it will take to treat the roof but also importantly our workers compensation insurance rates increase if we need to get onto the roof.

My roof has this estimated cut rate of gables and features.

Selection of an option *

A. My roof only has a single consistent gable roof.

B. My roof has three – five gables or features.

C. My roof has more than 5 gables or features.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO CLEAN / SOFT WASH A ROOF?

4. HEIGHT OF ROOF

Though the height of a roof does not change it’s treatable surface it does significantly add to its treatment difficulty. Not only does the height of a roof add to the danger involved in cleaning the roof but it also substantially limits the accessibility to the roof. Two story roofs can be easily treated with an extension ladder or carbon fiber pole if they are of a low CUT RATE but adding height makes treating from the ground, ladder or using an extension pole very difficult. Additionally in some areas of the country a two story home may have a walk-out basement below the first story making the rear of the home a three story exposure. In that case we would need to bring a special 40 foot extension ladder.

The height of my roof is.

Selection of an option *

A. One story.

B. Two stories.

C. Three stories or more.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO CLEAN / SOFT WASH A ROOF?

5. LEVEL OF STAINING

If you are very proactive with your home maintenance you may be calling us at the best time to have your roof soft washed. Sadly many do not. There are five major stages of roof staining and the later stages can cause irreparable harm to your roofing system. The five stages are as follows.

Pick your stage of infestation.

Selection of an option *

A. Stage One, Colonization %% In stage one you will find a preponderance of small quarter size blac dots and streaks usually occurring on the north side of your roof. This is a bacteria called Gloeocapsa Magma. At this time the staining is mostly estetic and is not causing damage to your roofing system, however this early stage is the most affordable time to clean/treat the roof.

B. Stage Two, Matting %% In stage two you will find that these black dots and streaks start to grow together and create a bacteria mat on your roof. By now you will see matting on the north and west sides of your roof and maybe even under trees in the shade. Matting can cause damage to your roofing system in three ways. Decomposition from the bacteria eating at your roofing surface. Heat build-up from roof darkening overheating the underlayment breaking it down. Finally moisture causing an inhabitable damp environment for WDO’s (Wood Destroying Organisms) like fungus, mold, carpenter ants and termites. Your roof is still in good shape and can be easily treated though more chemicals may be used. If you act quickly your roof likely has not as of yet been damaged.

C. Stage Three, Infestation %% Infestation is easy to determine if you see signs of dots, streaks or matting on three or more sides of your roof. Usually the worst side will be in this order, north, west, east and lastly south. The north side of the roof gets the least sun and the south the most. This is the stage in which most property owners call to have their roof cleaned. On shingle roofs the Gloeocapsa Magma is eating into the limestone aggregate that is protecting the shingle. The bacteria is eroding the aggregate exposing the asphalt layer and drying out the petroleum in the shingles. Heat is building up under the shingles breaking down the underlayment/felt paper. Your under roof, in attic temperature is hotter than it was last year and your home cooling costs are rising. The roof is holding moisture and you likely are getting wood rot in your roof deck. Clean now or risk an expensive roof replacement.

D. Stage Four, Involvement %% In stage four all four sides of your roof are matted with the bacteria Gloeocapsa Magma. Now that the bacteria has been there for a while it has created a nutrient base (soil) for more damaging and unhealthy to your family, fungus, mold, viruses, mosses and lichens to arrive and really eat into your roofing system. Even tile roofs will be severely damaged in stage four. The now ever present biofilm will eat into coatings and glazes on more expensive roofs with their filament root system. It is important not to hesitate and get your roof soft washed by a HIGHLY SKILLED AND CERTIFIED EXPERT to make sure the cleaning doesn't cause more damage than the biofilm itself.

E. Stage Five, Destruction %% Stage five is not a lost cause but you should not expect the beauty of your roofing system to be as new. Maybe far from new is your best hope. You have allowed bacteria, algae, fungus, mold, mildew, viruses, mosses and lichens to grow unchecked on your roof. Your roof cleaning company is now in a battle of mitigation. They are trying to save the roofing system and prepare the surface for inspection and repair by a professional roofing company. A true roof restoration specialist (not a storm chasing roofer) will need a clean, free from debris, biofilm/infestation and safe roof to inspect. Then they can replace damaged roofing, repair leaks caused by the biofilm and WDO’s and recolor the roof if needed.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO CLEAN / SOFT WASH A ROOF?

6. ROOF DEBRIS PRESENT

Depending on your area there can be debris on your roof and in your gutters that will need to be removed before treatment. Much of this debris can be raked, brushed or dragged off of the roof with an extension pole. However, if the roof cleaning technician needs to get up on your roof to use a leaf blower to clear debris from the roof, expect to pay even higher fees for this service. Additionally if you have gutters on your building and they are impacted with leaves or even filled with weeds and other growth you will also need to have these gutters completely cleared before roof treatment. This will run up the cost of your cleaning.

How much debris do you have on your roof and in your gutters?

Selection of an option *

A. I have no debris on my roof.

B. I have debris on my roof.

C. I have a preponderance of debris on my roof and/or in my gutters.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO CLEAN / SOFT WASH A ROOF?

7. RAIN GUTTERS PRESENT

It is a tremendous positive to have rain gutters on your home before cleaning your roof. It can significantly aid in collecting the run-off used chemical from treating your roof as well as protect your landscaping. There are some considerations though. Open flowing gutters are our best friend. As mentioned above the gutters will need to be free from debris. Debris in gutters can cause ice dams, bug infestations, termite promotion as well as water intrusion into your attic. We do not like gutter guards. They simply do not work, get clogged with debris and make everything else difficult. Also gutter downspouts plumbed into tubes that go to french drains or run-off pop-ups in the turf will need to be disconnected during the soft wash cleaning. This will incur additional charges.

What is your rain gutter situation?

Selection of an option *

A. I do not have rain gutters.

B. I have free flowing and open rain gutters.

C. I have complicated rain gutters with guards and/or french drains.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO CLEAN / SOFT WASH A ROOF?

8. ELABORATE LANDSCAPE

Landscaping is a major concern when cleaning/treating a roof. The biofilm that now infests your roof needs to be treated with chemicals not pressure washed. Pressure washing only gives the biofilm a haircut. Pressure washing is like pulling a weed and not getting the roots. The old weed just grows right back. The chemicals a professional roof soft washing company uses are very strong. Safe to people and pets yes, but serious nonetheless.

Depending on how long you waited to deal with the infestation on your roofing system you may have made the soft washing company's job more difficult protecting your landscape. The FIVE STAGES OF INFESTATION discussed above directly pertain also to how much soft washing chemical your roof cleaning company may need to complete the cleaning/sanitation of your roof. More chemicals = more risk to landscaping.

Plant damages can be completely avoided through long and careful efforts from certified roof soft washers. Do not cover plants with plastic in the sun. IT WILL KILL THEM. Plant protection starts with a careful plan to divert flow of chemicals away from the landscape. Dilute the chemicals that do fall on the landscape with water and finally neutralize the plants with a salt neutralizer / plant fortifier like SoftWash Systems PLANT WASH. These additional steps certainly add to the overall roof cleaning / soft washing costs.

Around my property my landscaping is,

Selection of an option *

A. Light

B. Standard

C. Elaborate

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO CLEAN / SOFT WASH A ROOF?

9. COPPER ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS

Many higher-end roofs have some beautiful architectural elements like copper valleys, copper dormers, copper brows, weathervanes and alike. These all add variables to completing a thorough roof soft washing without discoloring or damaging these surfaces.

Copper features are of special note. Copper’s condition is in the eye of the beholder. New copper is bright like a new penny. Then that copper ages to a mellow brown. Later the copper patina turns into more of a Statue of Liberty green. These are all acceptable looks and to each their own, appreciated and desired. It is important for you to check and note what state your copper is in. Roof soft washing chemicals will speed the Statue of Liberty green patina effect. If you like that then we have no worries. If you like the bright penny or mellow brown looks then your roof soft washer will need to protect all of your copper with painters tape and plastic. THIS IS A COSTLY PROCESS.

Do you have copper or other high-end and or unique architectural elements on my roof that need protection?

Selection of an option *

A. I have no copper features or high-end architectural elements on my roof.

B. I have few copper features or high-end architectural elements on my roof.

C. I have intricate copper features or high-end architectural elements on my roof.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO CLEAN / SOFT WASH A ROOF?

9. COPPER ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS

Other items that may need protection or treated around would be solar cells, pool water heating cells, skylights, chimneys and alike. These fixtures may lead to the soft washing technician having to access/walk on the roof. Solar Cells and Skylights will need to be specifically treated and then rinsed with REVERSE OSMOSIS water.

I have roof mounted apparatus on my roof.

Selection of an option *

A. I have no roof mounted apparatus.

B. I have one or two roof mounted apparatus.

C. I have three or more roof mounted apparatus.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO CLEAN / SOFT WASH A ROOF?

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Please press the submit button and we will be happy to email your customized roof soft washing value report. This will help you gauge what end of the range your treatment will cost. We will do a very light follow-up with you by phone within the next business day to see if we can help you with any other questions.

Thank You,

Kelly King
CEO Clearview SoftWash

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