Soft Wash in Broughton

The Problem

This detached property in Broughton-in-Furness sits in a sheltered, tree-lined setting that creates ideal conditions for biological growth. The concrete tile roof was covered in thick moss across the north-facing slope and extensive lichen across both slopes, making the relatively modern property look decades older than it was. The rendered walls — particularly the north and west elevations — had developed heavy green algae staining from ground level to eaves height. The homeowner had previously attempted to clean the roof using a domestic pressure washer, but the high-pressure water had damaged several tile surfaces, blasting off the protective granular coating and leaving them porous and vulnerable to frost damage. They needed a professional approach that would restore the property's appearance without causing further damage.

Our Solution

We applied our soft wash system — a low-pressure biocidal treatment that kills moss, algae, and lichen at the cellular level without the damaging high pressure of a standard washer. The process begins with applying a sodium hypochlorite-based biocidal solution via a low-pressure pump sprayer. This solution penetrates the biological growth, killing it from root to tip within minutes. After a 20-minute dwell time, we gently rinsed the surfaces with low-pressure water (no more than a garden hose pressure), washing away the dead growth to reveal the clean surfaces beneath. The roof was treated from ridge to eaves, working systematically to ensure complete coverage. The rendered walls received the same biocidal treatment followed by a low-pressure rinse. The biocide continues to work for several weeks after application, killing any dormant spores and inhibiting regrowth for 12-18 months. We also cleared all gutters and downpipes of the significant moss debris that washed into them during the treatment.

The Result

The transformation was dramatic — the property looked brand new. The concrete tiles were restored to their original charcoal colour, and the rendered walls returned to a clean, bright white. Neighbours commented on the remarkable improvement, and the homeowner was delighted to have their property's appearance restored without any tile damage. The residual biocidal protection means regrowth will be significantly slower than before, and we recommended annual inspections with spot treatments to maintain the clean appearance long-term. The entire property was treated in a single day. We provided a 12-month guarantee against biological regrowth on all soft washed surfaces.

Sodium Hypochlorite Biocidal Solution

The soft wash biocide is a professional-grade sodium hypochlorite solution diluted to the appropriate concentration for each surface type. Roof tiles receive a stronger concentration than rendered walls to penetrate thick moss growths. The solution works by oxidising the cellular structure of biological organisms on contact, killing moss, algae, and lichen at the root level rather than just removing the surface growth.

Surfactant Additive

A specialist surfactant is added to the biocidal solution to improve its adhesion to vertical and angled surfaces. The surfactant reduces surface tension, allowing the solution to cling to roof tiles and render rather than running off before it can work. This ensures maximum dwell time and penetration for complete biological kill.

Low-Pressure Application Equipment

All soft wash application uses professional pump sprayers operating at a maximum of 100 PSI — a fraction of the 1,500-3,000 PSI generated by domestic pressure washers. This low pressure is sufficient to apply the biocidal solution evenly without blasting off tile coatings, damaging render surfaces, or driving water into joints and under flashings.

Biodegradable Rinse Water

The final rinse uses clean water at garden hose pressure, sufficient to wash away dead biological material without disturbing tile surfaces. The sodium hypochlorite breaks down rapidly into salt and water, making the soft wash process environmentally responsible.