No, you can’t pressure wash a shingle roof in Florida without damaging it. High pressure strips off the tiny granules that protect your shingles. However, a low-pressure soft wash removes the same black streaks and leaves your roof in good shape.
At Top Down Exterior Cleaning, we have cleaned roofs in Lakeland and Polk County since 2010. In that time, we have learned that the cleaner does the work, not the pressure. So let’s look at what goes wrong, how to spot damage, and what to do instead.
What Happens When You Pressure Wash a Shingle Roof?
A pressure washer hits your roof with far more force than rain ever will. Shingles can’t take that hit. As a result, four things go wrong fast.
- You lose granules. Those sandy bits shield the asphalt from the sun. Once they wash off, the shingle ages much faster.
- Water gets under the shingles. Shingles shed water that runs down. However, they can’t stop water that sprays up and under.
- Seals break. A sticky strip holds each shingle down. High pressure can lift it, and then storm winds have something to grab.
- Your warranty may be at risk. Many shingle makers warn against pressure washing. Therefore, the repair bill may land on you.
In short, the roof looks clean for a while, but it wears out sooner. That is a bad trade in a state with strong sun and big storms.
Is a Low Setting Safe to Pressure Wash a Shingle Roof?
No, a low setting is still not a safe way to pressure wash a shingle roof. Homeowners ask us this all the time. A wide tip and a light trigger sound gentle, but the water still moves fast enough to knock granules loose.
Also, pressure alone doesn’t solve the real problem. Those black streaks are a living algae. Because it is alive, you have to kill it. Water knocks off the top layer and leaves the rest to grow back.
On top of that, a wet roof is slick. For that reason, walking a roof with a wand is risky for you and rough on the shingles.
What Do Roofing Experts Say About Pressure Washing a Shingle Roof in Florida?
The companies that make shingles say not to do it. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association tells homeowners not to use a power washer or a brush on roof algae. Instead, it calls for a bleach and water mix and a gentle rinse.
That group also points out that roof algae is most common in Gulf states like Florida. So this is not a rare problem here. In fact, it is one of the most common things we see on Lakeland roofs.
The algae floats through the air and lands on your roof. Then our heat and humidity help it spread. As a result, most shingle roofs in Polk County show streaks at some point.
How Can You Tell If Someone Pressure Washed Your Shingle Roof?
Pressure damage is easy to spot once you know the signs. First, check your gutters and the ground under your downspouts. Then look at the roof from the yard.
- Piles of sand-like granules in the gutters or on the driveway
- Light stripes or swirl marks where the wand passed
- Dark, smooth patches where the asphalt shows through
- Shingle edges that curl up or sit crooked
- New water stains on a ceiling after the next rain
If you see these signs, call a roofer to look at it. Also, don’t let anyone pressure wash that roof again.
What Is the Safe Way to Clean a Shingle Roof in Florida?
The safe way is a soft wash. A soft wash uses a cleaning mix to kill the algae. After that, a light rinse carries it away. We rinse with a garden hose, not a pressure washer.
Our roof cleaning in Lakeland, FL follows the cleaning method recommended by the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association. No pressure washer ever touches your roof. Here is how our crew does it.
How We Soft Wash Instead of Pressure Wash a Shingle Roof
- First, we clear the roof. We blow leaves and loose debris off the shingles and out of the gutters.
- Next, we protect your yard. We take care of your plants before, during, and after the job.
- Then, we apply the cleaner. It goes on low and slow, so it can soak in and kill the algae, mold, and mildew.
- Finally, we rinse. We use a gentle rinse from a garden hose. We also rinse down the areas around your home.
We ask you to keep pets inside while we work. Then keep them in until we finish rinsing and the yard dries.
How Long Does a Soft Wash Last on a Florida Shingle Roof?
A soft wash kills the algae instead of just knocking it loose. Still, no cleaning lasts forever in Florida. Heat, rain, and humidity bring the algae back in time.
How fast it returns depends on your home. For example, these things speed it up:
- Tall trees that shade the roof
- Slopes that face north and stay damp
- Leaves and debris that sit on the shingles
- Clogged gutters that hold water at the roof edge
So keep an eye on the shady side of your roof. When you see faint streaks return, book a cleaning. Early growth comes off faster, and that is easier on your shingles.
What Should You Ask Before Someone Cleans Your Shingle Roof?
A few simple questions keep a pressure washer off your roof. Ask them before anyone climbs a ladder.
- Do you pressure wash shingle roofs? The right answer is no.
- How do you rinse the roof? You want to hear “garden hose” or “low pressure.”
- How do you protect my plants? A good crew has a clear plan.
- Are you insured? Ask to see proof.
- How long have you cleaned roofs here? Local experience matters in Florida weather.
We are happy to answer every one of these. Top Down is family owned and insured, and we have served Lakeland since 2010. We have also earned the Angie’s List Super Service Award five times.
Need a Shingle Roof Cleaned in Lakeland Without the Pressure Washer?
You don’t have to pick between a dirty roof and a damaged one. Our soft wash clears the black streaks and treats your shingles gently. Plus, every estimate is free.
Contact Top Down Exterior Cleaning today to set up your free estimate. You can also call us at (863) 904-8956. We will come out, look at your roof, and give you a clear price.
