When it comes to soft washing, roof cleaning is always a key service. But what happens when the house you’re working on doesn’t have gutters? This is exactly the situation we faced at a recent job in Hamilton, Georgia. The roof was stained with grime and organic growth, and the homeowner finally called us after seeing our flyer from three years ago!
For most homes, gutters help direct runoff away from delicate landscaping, which makes things easier. But when there are no gutters, extra precautions are essential to avoid damaging plants with bleach runoff (SH). So, how do you manage a gutterless roof clean without harming the landscaping?
Key Steps to Safely Clean a Roof Without Gutters
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Pre-Wet All Landscaping:
Before applying any chemical, make sure all plants, vines, and shrubs are thoroughly soaked with water. This is your first line of defense against chemical damage.
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Clean One Section at a Time:
Without gutters, it’s crucial to take things slow. Clean a section of the roof, then rinse down any runoff immediately before moving on to the next. This prevents bleach from pooling and sitting too long near plants.
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Rinse Thoroughly and Continuously:
While applying the roof wash, have a second person follow behind, continuously rinsing the landscaping. Rinse once, rinse again, and then rinse some more! If you’re working solo, it will be much harder to manage both applying and rinsing, so having a second person is recommended.
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Partial Rinse the Roof (If Necessary):
In some cases, especially if there’s heavy landscaping close to the house, you may want to do a partial rinse on the roof itself. This helps to reduce any lingering bleach that could drip down after you’ve left.
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Watch the Weather:
A heavy rain will naturally dilute any bleach and prevent damage. But be wary of light showers—they’re enough to rinse bleach off the roof but not enough to dilute it. In this case, you’ll want to be extra cautious with post-rinsing to avoid any problems in the days after the job.
When to Rinse a Roof During Softwashing
While rinsing the roof isn’t always necessary, in cases like this—without gutters and with lots of landscaping—it’s worth taking the extra time. Normally, the SH will break down and degrade within a few days, but for added safety, common sense and extra caution go a long way.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning roofs without gutters can be a bit trickier, but with the right process and precautions, you can achieve a pristine result without any damage to the surrounding landscape. Remember: Pre-wet, post-wet, and rinse, rinse, rinse!
Want to master softwashing techniques?
Check out SESW Softwash 101, our complete guide for professionals looking to elevate their softwash game. From roof cleaning to landscaping protection, we cover it all!
