Method Guide
Soft Washing vs. Pressure Washing, for Casselberry Roofs
Soft washing uses a low-pressure chemical treatment to kill roof algae and moss at the root; pressure washing blasts it off with high-pressure water, which strips the protective granules off asphalt shingles and can crack or lift tile. For Casselberry's older shingle and tile roofs, soft washing is the lower-risk method for both.
| Soft Washing | Pressure Washing | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Low-pressure chemical (biocide) treatment kills algae/moss at the root | High-pressure water physically blasts growth off the surface |
| Typical pressure | Roughly garden-hose level | 1,500–3,000+ PSI |
| Shingle granule risk | Minimal | Strips protective granules, which don't regrow |
| Tile risk | Low, with glaze-safe chemistry | Can crack tile or drive water underneath it |
| Kills roots (rhizoids) | Yes | Often no — surface growth can return faster |
| Best fit for Casselberry | Older shingle (2nd/3rd re-roof) and most tile | Generally not recommended for roofs |
FAQ
Method, Cost & Warranty Questions
How much does roof cleaning cost?
Based on third-party Orlando-area and national cost-guide research (not our own pricing and not Casselberry-specific), typical ranges run about $0.20–$0.75 per square foot depending on method, with soft washing usually $0.30–$0.50/sq ft. A full job often lands around $257–$375 on the low end, up to $300–$1,400 for larger or steeper roofs. Ask us for a number based on your actual roof.
Is it safe to pressure wash a roof?
Not on asphalt shingles, generally. High-pressure water can strip the protective granules that shield shingles from UV light, and once they're gone they don't grow back — the roof just ages faster from that point on. Pressure washing is more tolerant on some tile, but even there it can crack tiles or drive water under them if it's not handled carefully. That's why we soft wash: a chemical treatment at low pressure, rather than blasting it off.
Should you pressure wash your roof?
For most Casselberry homes, no. Soft washing is the lower-risk method for both shingle and tile, and it matters more here because a lot of the city's housing stock is old enough to be on a second or third re-roof — more brittle, more UV-worn shingles than a newer roof would have.
Is roof cleaning worth it?
If the goal is protecting the investment in the roof, generally yes — removing algae and moss keeps a roof from holding moisture against the shingles or tiles, and it's far cheaper than a re-roof. If the goal is clearing an HOA appearance notice, it's usually the fastest fix available. [NEED: before/after photos from a completed Casselberry job] once we have work to show.
Will pressure washing void my roof warranty?
Some shingle manufacturers' warranty language excludes damage caused by improper cleaning methods, and high-pressure washing is the method most often called out. Low-pressure soft washing is the alternative that roofing and roof-cleaning educators consistently recommend to avoid that risk — but warranty terms vary by manufacturer and roof age, so check your own paperwork or ask us and we'll help you read it. [NEED: link to the specific shingle manufacturer warranty on file for your roof]
How do you remove moss from a tile roof?
Tile takes a different touch than shingle: no foot traffic that can crack a tile, and a low-pressure rinse after a chemical treatment rather than scraping, which can lift the glaze or crack the tile itself. It usually takes longer to work than on shingle, because moss rhizoids get further into a tile's surface texture — especially on the shaded, tree-covered lots common in Casselberry's older neighborhoods.