The difference in one line
Pressure washing blasts dirt off with force. Soft washing lets a cleaning solution kill and loosen the growth, then rinses it away at low pressure. Same goal, very different tools.
Why Florida homes need soft washing
The black streaks on Southwest Florida roofs are usually Gloeocapsa magma, a cyanobacterium that feeds and spreads in heat and humidity. South Florida gets about 70 percent of its rain between mid-May and mid-October, so growth has months to take hold.
Eagle Roofing says to use water only on its concrete tile and never more than 1,200 PSI. Soft washing cleans the roof at low pressure and lets the cleaning solution go after the growth itself, instead of blasting the surface.
Which one each surface needs
| Surface | Method | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tile or shingle roof | Soft wash | Low pressure protects tile and shingles |
| Stucco and painted walls | Soft wash | Cleaning solution does the work, not force |
| Pool cage and lanai screens | Soft wash | Low pressure on thin screen |
| Concrete driveway | Pressure wash | Tough, flat surface that needs force |
| Pavers and pool deck | Pressure wash | Cleaned edge to edge with the right pressure |
| Windows | By hand | Streak free, no pressure on the glass |
How we decide on your home
We look at your photos, name the surfaces, and use the right method on each one. You get a written quote first and before and after photos at the end.
- Soft wash for roofs, stucco and screens
- Pressure wash for concrete and pavers
- Free written quote from photos
- Before and after photos when we finish
