Do You Really Need to Rinse a Roof? Here's What You Need to Know
One of the most common questions we get is: Do I need to rinse the roof after cleaning it? The short answer is hardly ever—but there are exceptions, and those exceptions can make or break the success of your roof cleaning job.
Today, we’re diving into a real-world example from a job we did on Lake Martin in Alexander City, Alabama. This scenario highlights when and why rinsing becomes essential, particularly when you're dealing with no gutters and sensitive landscaping. Let’s get into it.
Why Roofs Don’t Typically Need Rinsing
For the majority of roof cleaning jobs, rinsing isn’t necessary. Here’s why:
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Asphalt shingles and materials like Spanish tile or slate don’t require rinsing for effective cleaning.
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Black streaks (Gloeocapsa magma) and moss die off naturally and can be left to break down and fall off over time.
- Rinsing with too much pressure risks damaging shingles by knocking off granules, which can reduce the roof’s lifespan.
So, unless the situation calls for it, you’re better off letting the cleaning solution do its work and leaving the rinsing to nature.
When Rinsing Becomes Essential
In some cases, rinsing isn’t just a good idea—it’s a must. Here’s the scenario we faced:
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No Gutters: Without gutters, bleach runoff (SH) from the roof drips directly onto plants, shrubs, and landscaping below.
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Sensitive Landscaping: In this case, there was a Japanese maple and other valuable plants at risk of damage from the bleach runoff.
The solution? Rinse the roof and protect the landscaping to avoid any costly mistakes.
How We Protected Landscaping During Roof Cleaning
Here’s the two-part strategy we used to safeguard the homeowner’s landscaping:
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Water Shield Technique
We rigged up a soft wash wand on a water-only setting and used it to create a continuous water shield over the Japanese maple. This simple trick deflects bleach runoff and prevents it from reaching sensitive plants.
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Ball Valve Rinse
Intermittently, we used a ball valve to rinse the shrubs and drip edges thoroughly. This step ensures that any bleach that does make it down is diluted and washed away before it can cause damage.
Using Plant Protect for Extra Safety
To go the extra mile, we applied Plant Protect—our bleach neutralizer—after completing the job. This step provides an additional layer of safety for landscaping, ensuring no bleach lingers to cause damage after we leave.
The Final Rinse: Simple and Effective
Once we’d protected the landscaping and given the cleaning solution enough dwell time, we moved on to rinsing the roof. Here's how we handled it:
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Thorough Rinsing: Flooded the roof with water to remove all traces of SH, ensuring it didn’t continue dripping onto plants after we left.
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No Overthinking: Rinsing doesn’t need to be complicated—just use plenty of water and take your time.
Why Taking Your Time Matters
In a rush to crank out as many jobs as possible, some contractors skip critical steps like rinsing or protecting landscaping. This approach can cost you big time—both in damaged property and your reputation.
For example, the Japanese maple we protected during this job could cost upwards of $200 to replace. That’s a hefty hit to your profit margin on a $500–$600 roof cleaning job.
Key Takeaways
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Don’t rinse unless necessary. Most roofs don’t need it, and rinsing with too much pressure can damage shingles.
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Rinse when there’s no gutter system or sensitive landscaping below. Protect plants and shrubs with water shields, ball valve rinses, and bleach neutralizers like Plant Protect.
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Take your time. Quality work always beats rushing through jobs. Protecting the homeowner’s property is just as important as getting the roof clean.
Final Thoughts
Roof cleaning is about more than just blasting away black streaks. It’s about providing a service that respects the homeowner’s property and delivers great results. Take the extra time to protect landscaping and rinse when necessary—it’s worth it every time.
Ready to elevate your roof cleaning game? Check out Plant Protect and other tools at southeastsoftwash.com to make your jobs easier and more effective.
See you next time!
