Soft washing which is the application of chemical cleaning agents with low pressure to attack the organic bacteria's roots leaving behind a brighter and longer lasting clean. Last longer and does less damage than conventional high pressure cleaning. Below is a prime example of what the soft washing method is capable of.

 The other option we have to cleaning a roof is high pressure cleaning which can not be used when cleaning mold off shingle tiles as it will tear away the roofs sensitive granuals, cutting down on the roofs life expectancy and protentional to protect from water leakage. Many so called pressure cleaning professionals still believe the best way to clean a roof if my hitting it with high power and this will wash away any black stained organic streaks. False, they only remove the organic stains from the visible eye. When we take a closer look into the tiles porous material we find left over bacteria that was not fully eliminated. High pressure can not only damage the tiles longevity by scaring it but it can also open up seals made by the roofers to protect from water leaking into the home. The only upside to this method of cleaning is a cheaper cost due to its use of only water to get the job done. Although in the long run it will cost you more as a homeowner not to mention the headaches of getting roofing contractors to inspect the roof for where the leak is coming from. Therefore completely nullifying  the lower cost in the short term. As more damage is done rather than help.

The extra added cost to soft washing is from the material placed on the roof to kill the bacteria's roots when compared to high pressure cleaning we often see a price differeance of about $100-$150 dollars.

Lets take a closer look into the pros and cons of soft washing versus high pressure washing

Pros of Soft Washing
Last longer than conventional high water pressure cleaning (Approximately 2 years)
Much safer to use on a roofs tiles both asphalt shingle and barrel tile shingle roofs.
Kills the mold systematically at the root
Exposes more of the roofs natural color to the surface
Zero chance of roof leakage
Uses less water (Approximately  one tenth of the water consumed)
No heavy equiptment is brought up on your roof and that mean high safety for you as a homeowner and the person doing the cleaning


Now lets go over the pros of high pressure cleaning a roof


Pros of High Pressure Washing
Lower cost on average



Seems like an obvious choice to make right, but lets keep weighing out the cons next

Cons of Soft Washing
Usually a higher cost due to the amount of material applied to the roof and time in protection plant life


Cons of High Pressure Washing
High chance of roof damage (cutting the roofs lifespan)
High chance of roof water leakage
Will not clean down the root (the bacterial microbes will still be rooted deep in the roof tiles and will appear to the human eye in less than a year)
Dangerous to the operator and homeowner.

In this head to head battle we have to give the Soft Washing Method the Gold medal for achieving the best possible clean with safety and quality in mind. 

It is best to keep the high pressure cleaning on the ground for driveway, patios and walkways to reach deep into the surfaces pores, but we still want to apply a pretreatment as a precaution and to loosen up the mold and mildew.

We want to show you a few example of the damage high pressure washing a roof can do below.

We cant just leave you with the damage high pressure can do without showing you the beauty the Soft Washing Method can do to tiles roofs too.

In conclusion The  Soft Washing Method is better than conventional high pressure washing for a variety of reasons such as safety, longevity and quality.

For more information feel free to check out more of our Blogs
If you would like a quick quote for your home please call us at (561)-305-8154

We service Boca Raton, Delray, Parkland and the surrounding areas.

 We all know that water garden hoses come in many variations of length, type, material, tips and colors but which garden hose is the best option when using a pressure cleaner? It may seem like a simple choice at first but after reviewing all our options we may want to think again. Lets dive into the different garden hoses out there.

Garden hose lengths

We have lengths varying from 5, 6, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100 foot and these can be customized to fit your specific needs. All that needs to be done is change and secure the tips to prevent leakage and damage. We suggest 75 foot garden hose to give you versatility when using your pressure washer around the home. 
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Garden hose size

Sizes can come in 1/4 Inch, 3/8 Inch, 1/2 Inch, 5/8 Inch, 3/4 Inch or 1 Inch. We prefer to use 5/8 inch for best water flow. The water flow given off by your hose outlet must also be taken into account as this is where your GPM (Gallons Per Minuet) will come from to feed the pressure washer. A quick and easy test can be done by using a 5 gallon bucket to measure how many gallons come out per minuet. This gives us more confidence when turning on the machine, ensuring it will not overheat and burn due to insufficient water levels. 


Garden hose material

Common garden hose materials are as follows

Vinyl - the least expensive out of the other materials and is reinforced with nylon mesh, tend to kink easily.  
​Polyurethane - considered a light duty hose, stiff to the touch and hard to roll back up.
Rubber - Heavy duty in nature and build to take a beating from the outdoor climate.
Polymer - lightweight soft and easy to maneuver, high chance of kinking but can be unkinked easy (Our preferred choice for garden hoses)
Metal - tougher than the other hoses but is more pricey when compared and has a small chance of kinking.
Expandable - This hose is also lightweight and expands as water flows into it, helping it grow into a longer and thick hose. The ability for these hoses to contract are amazing. A 100 foot hose that typically takes up a lot of space can easily be drained of water and fit snug into a 5 gallon bucket. 

In conclusion we strongly suggest a polymer garden safe water drinking hose, primarily the Flexzilla 5/8 Inch 100 Foot hose that allows a large distance to move the power washer if needed or can be hooked up to a mobile hose reel.

For more information please visit our blog on all pressure cleaning and soft washing at Ivan's Pressure Cleaning or call us at (561)-305-8154 for a quick quote.

We service Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Parkland and its surrounding areas.

Feel free to check us out on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

Lastly we would like to finish with an honorable mention to our friends over at GardenGate.com   
Garden Gate is the go to place for all things garden beautiful.

 Pressure cleaning also known as power washing in varying parts of the country is a simple process that when done right leaves a lasting impression to people passing by.



Pressure cleaning requires a gas or electric machine (we recommend gas powered due to its power and reliability) that uses regular garden hose pressure, creates the pressure and shoot it out through the gun wand, surface cleaner or other adapter. 

List of needed tools include:
Gas or electric power washer 2 GPM and up
Approximately 100 foot of high pressure hose
Pressure Cleaning Gun or wand
Approximately 50 feet of garden hose (connecting to the homes outlet)

We also recommend  a ball valve and surface cleaner make the cleaning process easier and less time consuming!

Step by Step: 
1. First connect your garden hose to the outlet and to the power washer.
2. Connect your high pressure hose to the power washing machine and to the desired tool. (Gun, surface cleaner etc)
3. Open the garden hose valve and let the water flow till the line is bleed for air leaks.
4 Once the line is cleared and ready, turn on your power washer while trying to keep your hand on the trigger to keep the pressure open. 
5. You are ready to pressure wash any part of your homes exterior just be sure to wear protective eye wear and a mask if using harsh cleaning chemicals.

Caution: If the pressure is left unattended for long than 30 seconds it will harm the pumps seals with hot water created by friction of the recirculating water in the pump. Professional pressure cleaning companies use buffer tanks and relief valves to keep their heavy duty machines cool and lasting longer. If you need to take a break or can not relieve your power washers pressure we suggest you turn it off until done.


Pressure cleaning should be done at least yearly to kept up to date and not let bacteria smelling or let the homes curb appeal fall behind. Remember a good pressure cleaning can raise your homes value especially before a sale. 

If you are in the south florida area looking to buy/ rent a pressure washer we advise you to checkout our friends at VC Equipment in Boca Raton or give them a call to check for pricing at (561)-394-7086

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We serve Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Parkland and the surrounding areas.
For more information or for a quick quote call or text us at (561)-305-8154

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When is comes to cleaning both interior and exterior cleaning is crucial to daily living. Due to our busy work and life schedules the last thing we want to think about is cleaning up our homes on our time off from work. This is why cleaning tasks are better left to the professionals.

If your homes interior remains dirty for a significant period of time it may lead to big consequences. For example if your homes kitchen stays with food scraps overnight, this is the perfect time for an undisturbed insect feast. Roaches, ants and other creepy crawlers will come by eating up your left overs. The best solution is to clean up after every meal, making sure to leave no crumbs behind. If not contained these bugs will move into other uninhabited areas of the house such as closets and bathrooms.

Up next we have the bathroom which if not kept pristine and clean can cause health issues as well as smell bad to visiting guests. E coli can spread in the air and get its occupants sick. The humid moisture made by the shower also helps in bacteria growth. This is why we suggest you clean weekly with a disinfectant such as bleach or an all purpose cleaner. 

The next reason is more of the mental clarity aspect of keeping a home clean. Just like getting a hair cut we feel cleaner and achieve a sense of clarity. When we walk into our dirty homes it gives off a gloomy heavy feeling, but when it is just cleaned we get a feeling of happiness and joy. The same goes for exterior cleaning, similiar to cleaning a car the exterior is just as important as the interior.  Keeping a homes exterior looking it's cleanest helps your home improve curb appeal and helps add value, especially when about to sell. The feeling of driving up to a clean home is always better than the opposite.

For exterior roof cleaning we recommend it to be done yearly to keep the organic growth off. 
For exterior house cleaning we recommend it to be done yearly also, to keep bright.
For exterior driveway and pool patio paver pressure cleaning we suggest semi-annually for best results in up to date maintenance.


For more information about interior home cleaning checkout our friends at You've got maids in Boca Raton 

We serve Boca Raton, Delray beach, Parkland and the surrounding areas.
Contact us at [email protected] for questions or a quick quote.

 Many times as homeowners we want to take the best possible care of your homes, making sure it is clean always ready for the surprise guest visit. Part of the homes up keep comes from exterior cleaning, particularly in soft washing your roof. When first introduced to soft washing we understand its importance, safety as well as results after a job well done. We then realize that the chemicals used can dry out and burn your roofs surround landscape. That is when the panic sets in.  We think "why clean something if it is going to ruin something else in its place". We let years go by without cleaning our roofs in order to maintain a beautifully lushious landscape. 

In short the answer to "Does Soft Washing my homes exterior kill my plants?" is YES, it can definitely harm plant life unless..........

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                      Unless you water the surrounding area BEFORE, DURING and AFTER.

​This is the best solution for keeping your plants safe and healthy. Watering is a crucial step in soft washing in order to get the best results with zero damage. There is a saying we must remind ourselves of when soft washing your homes exterior, it goes "dilution is the solution to pollution" to rephrase this saying it means that watering the cleaning solution will render is useless because of heavy dilution. 

Now for a deeper look into why we should water BEFORE, DURING and AFTER a soft washing project.

Before we start soft washing any surface we must check for where the concentrated chemical will runoff to and where wind can pick it up and leave it on your delicate plants. Once we have taken note of these areas we will water them deeply to hydrate as they have been a couple hours in the hot sun quenched with thirst. After we have hydrated the plants well enough we will begin to apply our cleaning solution and watch where runoff goes, where the mist drops to and which plants require more attention to. It is best to move section by section during the cleaning process and keep fresh water flowing to the plant life. When the area has come clean and you are about to finish, give all the landscape a good third watering as a security measure and give extra hydration. 

Note: If a plant has withered or is a bit burned by the cleaning chemical, it may require soluble plant fertilizer to strengthen its roots and extra continuous watering through the week.

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For more questions regarding soft washing and pressure cleaning please visit our blog page. 
If you would like to get a quick quote please call or text us at (561)-305-8154  

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