Guide
The Benefits Of Soft Washing
Pressure washing and soft washing solve the same problem — dirt, algae and grime — with a different amount of force. Here's how we decide which one a surface needs.
What Soft Washing Actually Is
Soft washing uses a cleaning solution and time rather than force. The solution is applied at low pressure, left to dwell so it can kill the organic growth, then rinsed off gently. Pressure washing does the opposite — it uses mechanical force to blast material off a surface.
That difference matters because most of what dirties a Vancouver building is alive. The grey-green film on your north wall is algae. The dark streaking on your roof is usually algae too. The green carpet in your roof valley is moss. None of those are dirt sitting on top — they're organisms with root structures growing into the surface.
Pressure removes the visible part and leaves the roots. That's why a pressure-washed roof looks clean for a season and then goes green again. Soft washing kills the organism, so regrowth takes years rather than months.
Why The Method Matters
Asphalt Shingles
Shingles carry a layer of protective granules. Pressure aimed at a mossy roof can strip those granules along with the growth, which is why we soft wash roofs instead — the treatment removes moss and algae without stripping the surface underneath.
Siding & Window Seals
Force aimed at lap siding, stucco or a window seal can push water past it into the wall assembly. We check the material and the seals first and use low pressure with the right solution on anything that isn't built to take force.
Concrete & Pavers
Concrete and pavers are built for pressure, which is why we still use it there — with a surface cleaner for an even finish and the pressure set for the age and condition of the slab, rather than a wand held too close or too long.
Heritage Brick & Stone
Older brick and stone has a fired outer face that keeps water out. Once that face is worn away the material starts absorbing water, so we treat it chemically instead of blasting it.
Which Surfaces Need Soft Washing
Roughly: if it's part of the building envelope, soft wash it.
- Roofs — always. Asphalt, cedar, tile and slate alike.
- Siding and stucco — always. Vinyl, Hardie, wood and EIFS.
- Modern rainscreen assemblies — always. Pressure forces water past the drainage plane.
- Heritage brick and stone — chemical treatment, never blasting.
- Painted surfaces — soft wash, unless you intended to strip the paint.
Pressure washing still has its place: flat concrete, pavers, hard hardscaping and heavily soiled driveways. Those are surfaces that can take it, and even then a surface cleaner beats a wand for an even finish.
Is It Safe For Plants?
Yes, with the right process. We saturate surrounding plants with water before we start and rinse thoroughly afterwards, which dilutes anything that reaches them to a harmless level. Our solutions are biodegradable. The risk to your garden comes from carelessness, not chemistry.
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