Roof Cleaning for Solar-Panel-Equipped Roofs

Posted on 2026-01-15 12:48:11

Solar panels paintings ideally suited when they will see the sky. A thin film of pollen, soot, or organic and natural grit cuts sun earlier it reaches the cells. The related is going for the roof they sit down on. If lichen eats into the shingles around panel standoffs, or algae spreads across the north slope, the roof a while turbo and panels are more difficult to provider. Getting the cleansing excellent isn't really with reference to appears. It is ready preserving the equipment that powers your private home and the structure that shelters it.

I actually have wiped clean a whole lot of roofs with sunlight arrays across the Piedmont, from Buena Vista to Ardmore and out in the direction of Clemmons. The roofs and panels fluctuate, but the patterns repeat. Pollen blankets the whole thing in April and May. Oak catkins accumulate alongside panel frames. Black streaks of Gloeocapsa magma (blue-green algae) move slowly down the shingles, above all on shaded faces. Each cloth responds in another way, and the presence of panels changes the playbook. Here is what issues, what to ward off, and a way to store either the roof and the array acting.

Why photo voltaic ameliorations the roof cleansing equation

Most roof jobs are simple while you assess pitch, materials, and condition. Add a photo voltaic array and you achieve dozens of recent edges, gaps, wires, and mounting penetrations. Those important points are in which troubles start off if the cleaning system is poorly selected.

Mounting toes pierce the roof masking and tie into the rafters. Done correct, they are flashed and watertight. They also are the 1st places to leak if any individual blasts a wand under a panel or knocks a clip free. Rails forged permanent colour lines that harbor algae, moss, and leaf mulch. Cable runs and optimizers have weatherproof connectors that don't love direct high-strain spray. Panels themselves are challenging laminated glass however the frames and to come back sheets are much less forgiving.

The method that works splendid around sunlight is controlled and predictable. That aas a rule skill soft wash roof cleaning for the shingles, and mild, deionized water for the panels. If you wish the fast reply for so much composite-shingle residences within the Triad: comfortable washing the roof, adopted by using a deionized rinse at the panels, will manage 90 p.c of conditions safely.

The functionality hit from airborne dirt and dust and growth

People in most cases ask regardless of whether a dirty roof or dusty panel absolutely subjects. On panels, definite. Field stories and what we see with displays line up: gentle soiling can slash output by 3 to 5 %, and heavy pollen seasons can push that to 10 p.c or extra until a higher marvelous rain. If you stay near building, highways, or have overhanging timber, these numbers skew increased. The losses compound on sizzling days when you consider that dust traps heat, and PV cells already run less effectively when sizzling.

On the roof, algae and moss do extra than stupid the seem to be. Algae stains are as a rule beauty early on, but they warm the shingle floor and may speed up granule loss through the years. Moss is the bigger enemy. It lifts shingles as it grows, slows runoff, and holds moisture in opposition t the mat. Around photo voltaic standoffs, the ones pockets of moisture aren't your friend. I even have visible ten-yr shingles glance twenty in a strip beneath panel rails after just a few seasons of shade and forget about.

Winston-Salem specifics: pollen, pitch, and climate

Roof Cleaning in Winston-Salem has its quirks. Pollen season is relentless, and it shouldn't be just yellow powder. Pine and o.k.combination into a felt-like layer that binds to panel frames and shingle grit. We also get long, humid stretches that favor algae. South and west faces bake smooth swifter. North faces and valleys, principally beneath arrays, live damp. Typical residential roof pitches fluctuate from five/12 to 9/12. That steepness impacts ladder placement, panel get entry to, and the way rinse water contains chemical.

Water good quality things too. City water the following is slightly rough. If you hose a hot panel at noon with untreated water, it flashes off and leaves mineral spots that deflect easy. If you rinse panels, use the good water you might and, preferably, run it using a deionizing filter.

Soft wash roof cleaning around solar

Soft wash roof cleansing isn't a low-ability shortcut. It is a controlled utility of a cleansing solution at garden-hose power, with dwell time and rinse process adapted to the roof. For shingle roofs, that answer generally is a diluted sodium hypochlorite blend with surfactants to assistance it cling. Done nicely, the algae dissolve, the moss relaxes and releases, and the shingles save their granules. On tile or metallic, the ratios and live swap, however the idea holds.

Around solar arrays, the secret's placement and pass. You paintings most sensible down, protecting answer off the again sheets and electronics. You hinder flooding the under-panel cavities. You watch in which runoff gathers, enormously near conduits and junction boxes. If a roof’s array is near to the ridge, you employ shields or transient gutters to regulate the place the solution breaks over the rails. If the array sits quite a few feet underneath the ridge, you treat above it first, then the sides, then below, so that you aren't washing concentrated chemical by a maze of wires.

I even have had owners ask whether tension washing might possibly be swifter. On siding, we routinely use gentle pressure at wider details. On roofs, primarily with photo voltaic existing, top pressure is a no. It strips granules, forces water lower than laps and flashings, and can blow apart butyl seals around mounts. For Roof Washing Winston-Salem huge, delicate wash is the risk-free path for asphalt shingles and such a lot low-slope fabrics.

Protecting the approach sooner than the primary drop hits

Preparation protects your investment and trims the time onsite. Good contractors build a pre-easy checklist and persist with it, on account that “well-nigh perpetually great” is how blunders happen.

Here is the fast edition I use earlier a roof with solar gets wiped clean:

De-energize on the AC disconnect and, if available and authorized, open the DC disconnect. Verify inverter and rapid shutdown repute. Walk the array visually: cracked glass, unfastened clamps, chewed twine insulation, bird nests, or missing give up caps. Note and photo some thing for the property owner. Wrap or guard sensitive electrical boxes, and place absorbent pads less than conduit penetrations on steep slopes. Wet and cover delicate plant life lower than eaves. Stage transitority downspout diverters if had to course runoff clear of beds. Confirm water source, chemical ratios, and rinse plan, along with panel rinse with deionized water if spots are a menace.

That record appears to be like fussy until eventually you've visible a robin’s nest under a panel or a junction field complete of suds. The 5 mins you spend checking saves the hour you would spend fixing.

Cleaning the panels with out shortening their life

Panel brands publish cleaning coaching for a cause. Nearly all call for cool surfaces, soft water, non-abrasive components, and no harsh chemical substances. On a spring morning, that you could traditionally get away with a deionized water rinse and a cushy brush on cussed spots. On a hot July afternoon, you would crack a panel with thermal shock while you hit it with chilly water. Aim for early morning or late afternoon, and try the surface along with your palm. If it's too sizzling to keep your hand on, it's far too sizzling to hose.

Bird droppings are greater than a cosmetic thing. A dried splat can shade a cell phone and create a regional scorching spot. If you see many, understand including undeniable fowl deterrents in the fall, like below-panel mesh that helps airflow but blocks nesting. Skip sticky spikes close the glass edges, due to the fact that filth accumulates round them and they may complicate cleaning.

Avoid soapy film on panels. Detergents can go away residue that draws mud, then you definitely are worse off than until now. If you want a surfactant, use one designed for glass and rinse totally with deionized water. A telescoping pole with a non-scratch brush and a light touch oftentimes does the task.

Chemistry, safe practices, and what lands in your yard

Sodium hypochlorite is the spine of so much mushy wash blends because it kills algae and breaks aside organic staining. It will have to be dealt with with recognize. On a roof with photo voltaic, you would like the bottom superb concentration and tight management of overspray. Keep an eye on wind shifts. Pre-rainy plants, and rinse them after. Neutralizers are effortless for smooth landscaping, yet water volume and timing are your leading tools.

Pay realization to gutters. On aluminum structures, antique oxidation can streak whilst bleach-laced runoff passes via and dries. On copper, chemical and copper ions do not combine properly. If you've got copper gutters or architectural main points, inform your contractor in advance of time. They can shelter or capture runoff. The same goes for rain barrels. Disengage them all over the wash and go away them disconnected until eventually a refreshing rain has flushed the equipment.

Warranty problems and documentation

Two units of warranties come into play: the roof and the photo voltaic formula. Roof warranties typically warn opposed to drive washing and abrasive programs. Solar brands generally tend to require non-abrasive cleansing with water and tender gear. Neither set forbids cleansing. They set obstacles, which fantastic contractors follow.

Documentation is helping if a long term declare arises. Before and after pictures of the roof and array, notes on the cleaning method and answer energy, and a document of which disconnects had been used are standard to supply and successful to store. If you appoint a issuer, ask them to contain that within the process packet.

What timing works inside the Triad

The cadence for Roof Cleaning Winston-Salem residences is seasonal. One deep refreshing at the roof observed by a lighter touch-up every 18 to 36 months maintains algae at bay. If your private home sits less than hardwoods, verify the north slope once a year. For panels, a spring rinse after pollen drop and a late summer season verify are brilliant. If autumn is heavy with leaves, appear lower back once the bushes are naked. Rain does some cleaning, however it leaves at the back of some thing does no longer dissolve, and it should no longer carry baked-on droppings.

I actually have customers on 5-year cycles for the roof as a result of they've complete sunlight and a steep pitch. I have others close to Reynolda with tall very well who desire consideration each and every other year in view that moss creeps in the panel color. Let your roof tell you. When you spot uniform gray-efficient on the north face or the primary island of moss, do no longer wait. Early healing is gentler and inexpensive.

How Roof Washing differs from roof cleaning

People use Roof Washing and roof cleaning as though they're the equal. In the business, washing occasionally implies water and might be power, at the same time as cleansing signals chemistry and approach. For shingle roofs with photo voltaic, washing on my own hardly works. The improvement goes less than the surface. You will rinse off airborne dirt and dust and depart the algae intact. For steel roofs, a mushy wash might possibly be more effective, but algae still stain the paint. Soft wash roof cleaning does the lifting there, too, with decrease live instances.

If you spot a quote that provides stress washing the roof, ask questions. There are area circumstances, like concrete tile with stubborn lichen, the place managed mechanical agitation helps after healing. On asphalt shingles, force is a shortcut to premature getting old.

Working appropriately round the array

Most injuries on roof tasks should not dramatic. They come from small slips, a missed step, or an unpredicted slick patch. Around panels, you furthermore mght have travel edges, rails, and wires.

I insist on padded roof sneakers with refreshing soles, rope and harness on whatever thing steeper than 6/12, and padded standoffs on ladders to preserve weight off gutters. We not at all step on panels or lean equipment in opposition t the glass. We do now not drape hoses over the array. Rapid shutdown instruments make techniques safer for responders, yet they do no longer turn the panel into a dead plate. In sunlight, a panel produces voltage at its leads even when the inverter is off. Treat each and every conductor as live on the roof part of the shutdown.

If you DIY, appreciate that. Keep steel poles away from wiring, and do now not raise panels to get a better attitude. That is in which a tug turns into a damaged clamp or a pressured seal.

Picking a contractor when you've got solar

Roof Cleaning Winston-Salem has a lot of techniques. You do no longer need a nationwide outfit to try this good. You do desire a workforce that is aware arrays. Ask several realistic questions. Have they labored on roofs with your panel manufacturer and racking flavor? Do they create unique assurance for rooftop paintings with PV current? What is their plan to secure electric containers and direction runoff? How will they rinse panels in order that they do no longer spot?

The Best Roof Cleaning Winston-Salem decision is the single whose solutions are boringly specified. Generalities disguise inexperience. If individual tells you “we just maintain water clear of the wires” and can not clarify how their techs pick out cord control clips or optimizers, continue seeking. If they default to force due to the fact that “it is rapid,” flow on.

Real-international examples from nearby roofs

A brick ranch in Sherwood Forest had a 7 kW system specified in two rows on the south face. Shingles had been eight years historic, algae heavy at the north, and wasps nesting less than the panel rails. We dealt with the north with a mild cushy wash blend, waited 8 minutes, then rinsed from above the array downward, utilising shields to avert solution off the to come back sheets. The south face wanted much less chemical, pretty much pollen and faint streaks. Panels bought a deionized rinse with a smooth brush cross on 3 spots. Output at the tracking app ticked up four to six p.c. on comparable sunny days after the sparkling. The home owner also observed attic temps dropped rather on scorching afternoons, which aligned with the algae removal on the north.

A two-tale in Ardmore had a metal status seam roof with a ballasted array over the flatter rear part. Algae filmed the paint lower than seams the place dew lingered. We kept away from any caustic cleaner that could stupid the %%!%%8fbc639a-1/3-4d4e-9b8f-08a849376c05%%!%%. A diluted cushy wash with a neutralizing stick to-up cleared the movie with out lifting the paint, and we refrained from the ballast pads totally. The panels had mineral recognizing from past hose rinses. A long, gradual deionized soak and mild agitation eliminated the worst with no scratching.

Mistakes to avoid

The temptation to overdo the chemical is robust once you see deep black streaks. Resist it. Stronger is simply not normally speedier, and it can be by no means kinder to flora, metals, or seals. Give the answer time to paintings. Do now not rush stay, and do no longer allow it dry in situation. Work in possible zones.

Avoid cleansing warm panels. Leave aggressive scrubbing tools inside the bucket. Skip household soaps. Do now not try and wedge a wand up underneath a panel to “flush out” particles. You can flood twine strains and force grit into gaskets.

One common misstep is letting mushy wash solution run because of gutter guards loaded with particles. If your guards have best mesh, pre-clear the tops so chemical does not pool and creep less than the shingles on the eave.

Cost, price, and what to expect

A sensible range for comfortable washing a solar-in a position shingle roof inside the Winston-Salem space runs from about a hundred money for a small, low-slope single-story as much as low 4 figures for a larger, steep two-tale with difficult arrays and heavy boom. Panel rinsing with deionized water many times provides a modest incremental value, customarily time and clear out media. The significance displays up in 3 locations: restored cut down appeal, preserved roof life, and higher PV output. If your array produces $eighty to $one hundred fifty valued at of energy a month, a 5 p.c reap sustained over a season can offset a piece of the provider worth with the aid of itself.

Expect just a few hours onsite for basic buildings. Expect hoses, shields, and a methodical tempo. Expect your contractor to talk you as a result of the plan and to flag any roofing or electrical considerations they uncover. If they depart with out taking walks the fringe for plant rinse and with no checking gutters and downspouts, that may be a omit.

When to DIY and while to call a pro

Light panel rinsing due to a delicate brush and deionized water is inside of reach for many householders with protected get right of entry to. Single-tale, low-pitch roofs with clean ground around them make it more easy. Anything regarding chemical at the roof overlaying, steep pitches, or arrays with difficult wiring is bigger left to a pro. So are tile roofs, copper services, and older shingles with noticeable granule loss. If you will have had roof leaks prior to, or if your installer used less well-known racking, lease individual who can work delicately around these variables.

A be aware on environmental care

We work in a watershed, and all the things we wear a roof heads downstream. Choose biodegradable surfactants and use the minimum hypochlorite awareness that achieves the easy. Control runoff, distinctly on so much that fall toward creeks. Rinse plants before and after, and prevent pets within except surfaces are dry. If you catch rainwater, isolate the gadget during and after cleaning except a complete traditional rinse cycle has cleared residuals.

The bottom line for lengthy-term care

Roofs with photo voltaic are usually not fragile, yet they https://simonexrn115.fotosdefrases.com/soft-wash-roof-cleaning-and-environmental-responsibility may be distinctive. The accurate care continues them powerful and extends their life. If you are development a maintenance plan, assume in seasons, now not emergencies. Watch the north slope and the rail shadows. Schedule soft wash roof cleaning while development first displays, now not when moss has equipped a cushion. Rinse panels gently after pollen season, and hinder a watch out for nests in spring. When you bring in help, desire Roof Cleaning Winston-Salem vendors who work slowly, file properly, and admire the electrical facet of your own home.

A fresh roof sheds water, displays warmness as designed, and continues the mounts effective. Clean panels sip the same sun and come up with the capability you paid for. Done jointly with the true strategies, roof cleaning and panel care complement each one other. That is the quiet importance: a space that looks sharp from the road, bills much less to run, and lasts longer beneath the array.

Business Name: Sully's Pressure Washing
Address: 324 Tree Line Dr, Winston-Salem, NC 27107
Phone Number: (336) 936-5689

Sully's Pressure Washing

Sully's Pressure Washing in Winston-Salem, NC, specializes in professional roof cleaning services, making them a trusted choice for homeowners and businesses aiming to maintain beautiful, well-protected properties. Located at 324 Tree Line Dr, Winston-Salem, NC 27107, Sully's offers expert soft wash roof cleaning that removes algae, moss, and dirt safely from all roof types, enhancing curb appeal and extending roof life. Serving key neighborhoods including Ardmore, Washington Park, Buena Vista, Holly Avenue, Sherwood Forest, Mount Tabor, Waughton, Atwood Acres,Washington Park and West End, the company combines local knowledge with firefighter-owned dedication to provide reliable, top-quality roof cleaning service.
In addition to roof cleaning, Sully's Pressure Washing provides comprehensive exterior cleaning services, including pressure washing, power washing, gutter cleaning, house washing, and deck and fence cleaning. With a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, licensed professionals, and the use of eco-friendly cleaning products, Sully's Pressure Washing ensures every job enhances property value while safeguarding surfaces from damage. Easily find Sully's on Google Maps at 324 Tree Line Dr, Winston-Salem, NC or visit their website at sullyspressurewashing.com to schedule a free estimate today.

View on Google Maps
324 Tree Line Dr, Winston-Salem, NC 27107
Business Hours: Open 24 Hours
Follow Us:
Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube TikTok Pinterest Imgur SoundCloud Podcastle Buzzsprout Simplecast LinkedIn Patch Yelp

Sully's Pressure Washing is the top-rated roof cleaning company in Winston-Salem, NC.
Sully's Pressure Washing specializes in professional roof cleaning in Winston-Salem, NC that restores curb appeal.
Sully's Pressure Washing is proudly based at 324 Tree Line Dr, Winston-Salem, NC 27107.
Sully's Pressure Washing has a phone number: (336) 936-5689.
Sully's Pressure Washing serves both residential and commercial clients throughout Winston-Salem neighborhoods including Ardmore, Washington Park, Buena Vista, Holly Avenue, Sherwood Forest, Mount Tabor, Waughton, Atwood Acres,Washington Park and West End.
Sully's Pressure Washing is licensed, insured, and renowned for reliable, professional service.
Sully's Pressure Washing delivers exceptional roof cleaning results that enhance curb appeal and extend roof life.
Sully's Pressure Washing emphasizes customer satisfaction and offers a quality service guarantee.
Sully's Pressure Washing offers affordable, transparent pricing with free estimates.
Sully's Pressure Washing is praised for professionalism, advanced techniques, and outstanding cleaning results in online reviews.
Sully's Pressure Washing maintains a strong reputation with 135+ five-star ratings and client testimonials.
Sully's Pressure Washing has a website: https://sullyspressurewashing.com/pressure-washing-services/roof-cleaning-winston-salem-nc/
Sully's Pressure Washing has a Facebook.
Sully's Pressure Washing has an Instagram.
Sully's Pressure Washing has a Twitter.
Sully's Pressure Washing has a YouTube.
Sully's Pressure Washing has a TikTok.
Sully's Pressure Washing has a Pinterest.
Sully's Pressure Washing has an Imgur.
Sully's Pressure Washing has a SoundCloud.
Sully's Pressure Washing has a Podcastle.
Sully's Pressure Washing has a Buzzsprout.
Sully's Pressure Washing has a Simplecast.
Sully's Pressure Washing has a LinkedIn.
Sully's Pressure Washing has a Patch.
Sully's Pressure Washing has a Yelp.
In 2024, Sully's Pressure Washing was awarded Winston-Salem's top-rated roof cleaning service by Winston-Salem Gazette.
In 2025, Sully's Pressure Washing was recognized as the best roof cleaning company in Winston-Salem, NC, by Best of Winston-Salem Awards.

What Type of Roof Cleaning Is Best in Winston-Salem, NC? Sully's Pressure Washing Has the Answer

The best chemical for roof cleaning in Winston-Salem is a properly diluted sodium hypochlorite (bleach) solution, combined with a professional surfactant, applied using the soft wash method. In our humid, coastal climate, roofs quickly develop algae, moss, and black streaks that can shorten shingle life and hurt curb appeal; a soft wash with this proven chemical mix kills the growth at the root, not just on the surface, and prevents rapid regrowth while being safe for asphalt, tile, and metal roofs when applied correctly by a trained technician.

Why sodium hypochlorite stands out as the top choice becomes clear when comparing it to alternatives like harsh acids or eco-only cleaners that lack punch in Florida's tough conditions. Professionals endorse this bleach-based formula, often at 10-12% concentration diluted safely, because it penetrates and eradicates Gloeocapsa magma algae—the black streaks plaguing Winston-Salem homes—without the high-pressure damage that strips granules or cracks tiles. Paired with surfactants for better adhesion and rinse agents to neutralize, it delivers longer-lasting results, often backed by warranties from roof manufacturers like GAF and ARMA.

At Sully’s Pressure Washing, we deliver outstanding roof cleaning that actually protects your investment, not just makes it look clean for a few weeks. Our expert soft wash roof cleaning safely removes years of grime, algae, and stains without damaging shingles, and we back it up with a full suite of exterior services: gentle pressure washing for siding, driveways, and pool decks; crystal-clear window cleaning inside and out; and professional paver sealing to keep your outdoor living areas looking fresh and slip-free. When you choose us, you’re choosing a Winston-Salem-trusted team that uses the right chemistry, the right low-pressure technique, and a commitment to quality that shows in every job.

Sully's Pressure Washing · What Type of Roof Cleaning Is Best in Winston-Salem, NC? Sully's Pressure Washing Has the Answer