Soft Washing vs. Biocide
Which One is Better in Roof Cleaning?
Roof cleaning is an excellent thing to do to maintain the quality of your roof.
But which type should you use? Soft washing or Biocide. Whether you opt for soft washing or biocide roof cleaning, so you must know what they are before deciding on a roof cleaner.
Typically, you already know that regular roof cleaning is essential. But do you know the difference between soft washing and Biocide?
If not, here is some information on both of them:
Soft washing uses a chemical solution like Sodium Hypochlorite for instant results. In contrast, Biocide is can be more powerful, takes longer to re act with organic growth and doesn’t require as much water.
So what should you use? Depending on the material of your roofing, slate, clay or man made tiles will all have a baring on which would be the best solution for you.
What is soft washing, and what are the benefits of it over Biocide?
Soft washing is a the alternative to aggressive high-pressure jet washing, SoftWash is gentle, sustainable way to keep your home clean. It uses low pressure and mixes bleach with low VOC surfactants to emulsify grime from organic stains on roof tiles, felt shingle roof and timber shingles (not many cedar shingle roofs here in Oxfordshire, UK.)
Soft washing is more than just cleaning. It does not only get rid of stains. They also sanitize and eliminate the root cause that can cause prevalent black streaks on your roof.
Soft wash has been known to create an environment free from pests by thoroughly killing them at their source with innovative new technology explicitly designed to penetrate deep within surfaces. More likened to agriculture pest treatment system.
Benefits of Soft Washing in Roof Cleaning
It keeps your roof looking great and new
Homeowners should think about getting their roofs cleaned. If you want them to look beautiful, then soft washing is what’s needed. It lasts 4/6 times longer than pressure washing alone.
Over time, algae and bacteria grow on the surface of your roof, which lessens your home’s curb appeal.
Extends your Roof’s Durability
Premature degradation can diminish your roof’s lifespan by up 50%. Therefore, soft washing not only cleans your roof but also preserves its life for years with regular maintenance.
How to apply a soft wash solution on your roof
Some companies and individuals may climb on to your roof which may cause further damage. We prefer to pre wash the roof to remove surface detritus and moss working from a tower scaffold or access equipment (cherry picker)
A soft wash solution will make your job easier by loosening dirt from tiles, which emulsifies the dirt and grime. It also prevents stains from forming, like algae or mold.
Soft washing is a moderate way to clean the roof of your home. The pump and hose send low pressure water through the mixture of solutions, which can vary depending on what you’re cleaning we recommend using a SoftWash trained company as the Blend unit can be easily adjusted to the cleaning treatment strength required.
Soft washing uses less pressure than garden hoses, so they won’t damage fragile items even if their hands get wet while scrubbing tough messes better suited for this method.
What is Biocide, and how does it differ from Soft Washing?
Biocide is a chemical solution, whereas soft washing uses natural chemicals.
It’s less abrasive than hard-pressure roof cleaning, and it doesn’t require as much water to do the job effectively.
The use of Biocide on roofs has increased in popularity over the years for many reasons, including its low impact on soil, vegetation, and easier to manage for the untrained. Fumes from Biocides need to be taken into consideration and full PPE should be worn when application in process.
Biocide is a liquid-based product that comes in different concentrations depending on the contaminants you’re removing from your roof.
The solution can vary, but it will usually consist of bleach and other cleaning agents like surfactants or algae-eating bacteria that work to remove any moss, algae, and dirt that ruin the roof of your house.
The importance of having your roof cleaned regularly to avoid expensive repairs in the future
Suppose you don’t have your roof cleaned regularly. In that case, it can cause a lot of damage to the roof tiles, significantly if moss colonies are growing on top, and it can pose a threat to the health of your whole family too.
Keeping your roof clean is a must for any home. But, of course, it’s one thing to find leaks or other problems during inspections when organic matter is on the surface. Still, it can be much easier with nothing in sight.
Professional Roof Cleaning contractors can do the job for you. Still, it’s better to make your own research and figure out what solution is suitable for roof cleaning.
Common misconceptions about roof cleaning and how they’re not true
One common misconception is that your roof will be ruined if it’s cleaned with too much pressure.
It may look like more damages or cracks in the tiles after you clean them, but this isn’t true. They’re just showing up because all of the dirt and grime have been washed off for easier viewing under natural sunlight. Some roofs can look patchy after treatment, this is down to the roof tile degrading as different rates. The coating in manufacturing can differ and after 20/30 years of UV damage this can be seen after cleaning and especially cement based roof tiles.
Another misconception is that you should clean your roof when it’s wet outside or during the rain because water will naturally dissolve dirt and algae, which makes cleaning easier for professionals to do their job correctly.
More information –
https://alfrescoec.co.uk/roofcleaningprices/
https://alfrescoec.co.uk/knowledgecentre/roof-cleaning-faq/
There is no such thing as the best time or weather that you should be cleaning your roof. It’s not as dangerous as people think, but you can always rely on professional cleaners to do the job efficiently and effectively.
Mark Toovey
