Santa Barbara Soft Wash
Roof Cleaning in Santa Barbara
The low pressure method roofing manufacturers actually recommend. We remove the black streaks, moss, and algae without cracking your tiles or voiding your warranty.
Or call 805-689-4079. I'll take a look and send you a number.
4-6
times longer lasting than pressure washing
2-3X
less water than pressure washing
4.9
stars across 44 Google reviews
Those Black Streaks Are Alive, and They're Eating Your Roof
The dark streaks running down your roof are not just dirt. They're a living algae called Gloeocapsa magma, and it feeds on the limestone filler in your shingles and the minerals in your tiles. Left alone, it holds moisture against the surface, spreads into the shaded and north-facing sections first, and shortens the life of the most expensive part of your home. Rinsing it with water does nothing. You have to eliminate the organism itself, which is exactly what soft washing does.
Never Let Anyone Pressure Wash Your Roof
High pressure is the worst thing you can do to a roof. On asphalt shingles it blasts off the protective granules, the exact layer that shields your roof from the sun, and it can void your manufacturer warranty in the process. On the clay and concrete tile roofs so common here in Santa Barbara, high pressure cracks and chips brittle tiles, strips the factory glaze, and forces water up underneath where it leads to rot and leaks. This is not just my opinion. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association and the major roofing manufacturers specifically call for low pressure cleaning. Soft washing is the method they recommend.
What We Clean
- Asphalt and composition shingles, cleaned without stripping the granules
- Clay and concrete tile, the Santa Barbara classic, cleaned without cracking or walking damage
- Spanish barrel tile
- The black streaks (Gloeocapsa magma), moss, lichen, and algae that cause the staining
- Shaded and north-facing sections where growth always starts first
How It Works
- 1
Assess the roof
I identify your roofing material and where the growth is worst, and plan the safest approach.
- 2
Protect the property
Landscaping and delicate areas around the home get pre-wet and protected before anything is applied.
- 3
Apply the treatment
A biodegradable solution goes on at low pressure and eliminates the algae, moss, and lichen at the source.
- 4
Gentle rinse and walkthrough
Everything is rinsed at low pressure, then we confirm you're happy. If anything isn't right, I fix it before I leave.
Licensed California contractor #1105057, insured to $2,000,000, and 4.9 stars across 44 Google reviews. Every job is backed by the Make It Right Promise: if you're not happy with any part of it, I come back and make it right.
What Homeowners Say About Our Roof Cleaning
★★★★★
We were needing to get our roof power washed for an insurance renewal and shopped a few soft wash companies in Santa Barbara. Zac was the most professional, on-time, reliable, kind and had the best prices. Highly recommend.
★★★★★
Great service. Because of insurance requirements, I had to get my roof cleaned of moss on the concrete tiles. Zac gave me a great price and did a non invasive soft wash that left my roof tiles looking brand new…
What Santa Barbara Homeowners Say About Our Roof Cleaning
Amy Colton
Sep 2026 · Google review
★★★★★
Zac provided excellent service for us! It was a 2 day job to clean the roof & gutters of our home and guest cottage, and Zac worked tirelessly in 100 degree heat to get it done. He even took photos with a drone and provided a certificate to present to our insurance company. He did a fantastic job at a fair price. If you are looking for someone with integrity, who is hard-working and takes pride in his work, we highly recommend Zac from Santa Barbara Soft Wash!
Sean O'Shea
Jul 2026 · Google review
★★★★★
I called to get a quote to clean my solar panels. My call was promptly answered and the quote made later the same day. Zack was absolutely professional, timely, and thorough. He showed up when he said he would, worked diligently, took care to protect my tile roof, and not damage any of my plants. I highly recommend Santa Barbara Soft Wash.
Len Sasso
Jul 2026 · Google review
★★★★★
Zac did a fantastic job. We needed three things: gutters cleaned, marks on house-paint scrubbed off and windows cleaned. He did all three meticulously as well as being friendly and easy to talk to.
When we're done with your home, we hope you'll add yours.
Common Questions About Roof Cleaning
Will roof cleaning void my warranty?
The opposite. High pressure washing is what voids warranties. Soft washing is the low pressure method that ARMA and the major roofing manufacturers recommend, so it protects your warranty instead of risking it.
Can you clean my tile roof without cracking the tiles?
Yes. Clay and concrete tiles are brittle and crack under both high pressure and careless foot traffic, which is exactly why soft washing is the right method. Low pressure and a careful approach clean the tile without the damage.
How long will it stay clean?
Because soft washing eliminates the algae at the spore instead of just rinsing the surface, a soft washed roof stays clean 4 to 6 times longer than a pressure washed one.
How much does it cost?
Every home is different, so we quote each job individually, free, fast, and with no obligation. Most quotes go out within one business day.
The Make It Right Promise: if you're not happy with any part of the job, we come back and make it right. Simple as that.
Other Services
- House WashingGentle, low pressure cleaning that lifts years of coastal buildup off stucco, siding, and paint, without stripping or etching anything.Learn more
- Gutter CleaningClean, clear, and flowing before the rainy season.Learn more
- Driveway, Flagstone, and PatiosOil stains, tire marks, and grime gone. Your hardscape brought back to the color you forgot it was.Learn more
Protect the Most Expensive Part of Your Home
Free quote, fast reply, and a finished job backed by the Make It Right Promise.