One of the most common questions in the soft wash industry is, “When do I need to rinse a roof?” The simple answer? Hardly ever. Most roofs, whether asphalt shingle, Spanish tile, or slate, don’t require rinsing after treatment. The cleaning solution does its job over time, and rain helps wash away residue naturally.
However, there are certain scenarios where rinsing is necessary, and in this blog post, we’ll cover when and how to rinse properly to protect surrounding property and plants.
When Should You Rinse a Roof?
The main reason to rinse a roof after soft washing is when there are no gutters and valuable landscaping below. Without gutters to direct runoff, the cleaning solution can drip onto plants, potentially causing damage.
In our recent job at Lake Martin in Alexander City, Alabama, we encountered this exact scenario. The roof had heavy black streaks and even some moss due to overhanging trees. While the roof itself didn't require rinsing, the lack of gutters and the presence of expensive landscaping—like a Japanese maple tree—made rinsing essential.
Key Indicators That You Should Rinse a Roof:
✅ No Gutters – Without gutters, runoff can drip onto plants and cause damage.
✅ Expensive Landscaping Nearby – Sensitive plants like Japanese maples or hydrangeas need extra protection.
✅ Heavy Solution Runoff – If there’s excessive product pooling, rinsing can help minimize concentration.
How to Properly Rinse a Roof Without Causing Damage
When you determine that rinsing is necessary, you need a strategy to prevent damage while keeping the job efficient.
Step 1: Apply a Protective Water Shield
One technique we use is rigging a soft wash wand to spray clean water over sensitive plants while cleaning the roof. This creates a barrier, helping to dilute any runoff before it reaches the plants. In our case, we used a rock to hold the wand in place, continuously misting the Japanese maple.
Step 2: Intermittent Ball Valve Rinsing
Another technique is intermittently rinsing the drip edge with a ball valve. Every 45 seconds to 1.5 minutes, our tech Dusty used a ball valve to spray along the roofline, preventing bleach from sitting too long in one spot.
Step 3: Use a Bleach Neutralizer (Plant Protect)
Even with precautions, it's smart to neutralize any remaining bleach using a product like Plant Protect. This will break down chemicals and prevent delayed damage.
👉 Get Plant Protect at SoutheastSoftwash.com – (Link in the comments & description!)
Step 4: Final Roof Rinse (If Needed)
Once everything below is protected, you can rinse the roof itself using a soft wash system on water-only mode. The goal is to flush out the remaining solution without using excessive pressure that could damage shingles.
Step 5: Flood the Surrounding Landscape
Finally, make sure you thoroughly soak all surrounding plants before leaving the job site. Even if everything looked fine while you were there, residual solution could continue dripping after you leave, leading to damage hours later.
Why Proper Rinsing is Worth the Extra Time
This job took as long to rinse as it did to clean the roof itself, and that’s okay. Why? Because one damaged plant can wipe out your profits.
📌 Example:
- Roof Cleaning Job: $500-$600
- Cost of Replacing a Japanese Maple: $200+
- Potential Loss: 1/3 of your profit, or more!
Many contractors rush jobs, claiming they do 10+ jobs a day—but the reality is, if you’re moving that fast, you’re either lying or killing plants left and right.
Take your time. The homeowners are paying for quality work, so make sure you protect their investment and your reputation.
Final Thoughts
Most roofs do not need to be rinsed, but in cases where gutters are absent and valuable landscaping is present, taking the extra time to rinse properly can save you from costly mistakes.
By using strategic rinsing techniques, bleach neutralizers, and proper water shielding, you can ensure a successful job while keeping the homeowner’s property safe.
✅ Have questions about soft washing? Drop them in the comments!
✅ Need the right chemicals & tools? Check out SoutheastSoftwash.com!
📌 BONUS: If you're serious about getting into the soft wash business, check out the Serious Starter Softwash Boot Camp with Aaron Parker on March 21-22, 2025! Learn hands-on skills to grow your business the right way.
