Pressure Washing
Commercial-grade high-pressure cleaning for hard exterior surfaces and hardscaping.
- Driveways & hardscaping
- Commercial surfaces
- Hot-water equipment
BTS Outdoor Solutions provides professional soft washing for roofs, siding, stucco, and delicate exterior surfaces throughout St. Louis, MO. Our low-pressure chemical treatment eliminates algae, mold, and mildew at the source — not just on the surface. Licensed contractor. Free estimates — (314) 662-2505.
"Black streaks on your roof aren't just ugly — they're alive. Gloeocapsa magma algae feeds on limestone filler in asphalt shingles and can shorten roof life by years."
Dark streaks running down asphalt shingles are Gloeocapsa magma algae — a living organism that eats the limestone granule binder in your shingles. Soft washing eliminates it at the root.
Algae and lichen colonize north-facing and shaded siding surfaces in St. Louis's humid summers. Standard pressure washing can drive it deeper — soft washing treats the biology.
White and grey spotting on stucco and painted surfaces is mildew, not dirt. Pressure washing can strip paint; soft washing's low-pressure chemical application removes it safely.
Lichen on brick, concrete, and wood decks bonds chemically to the surface. Soft washing's dwell-time chemical treatment dissolves the bond without surface damage.
Pressure washing roofs at 3,000+ PSI blasts granules off shingles — granules are the UV protection layer. Soft washing uses 100–500 PSI with chemical treatment that kills organisms without physical force.
High-pressure washing scrubs away surface algae but leaves root filaments in the shingle. Our biodegradable soft wash solution kills the organism through the full lifecycle — preventing regrowth for 1–3 years.
Major shingle manufacturers — including Owens Corning and GAF — specifically recommend soft washing and prohibit high-pressure washing in their warranty terms.
BTS Outdoor Solutions soft washes roofs, siding, stucco, brick, and painted surfaces throughout St. Louis using biodegradable chemical solutions at low pressure. Every job is assessed individually and quoted in writing before work begins. Call (314) 662-2505 for a free estimate.
Every soft wash job follows the same careful protocol — protecting your landscaping and surfaces at every step.
We inspect roof pitch, shingle condition, siding material, and growth severity. This determines chemical concentration and dwell time.
We pre-wet surrounding landscaping and cover sensitive plants before chemical application. Post-wash rinse neutralizes any residue.
Low-pressure application (100–500 PSI) delivers our biodegradable soft wash solution to all contaminated surfaces. Active ingredient: sodium hypochlorite with surfactant for extended dwell.
Solution dwells 10–20 minutes to penetrate and kill organisms through the full growth cycle. We monitor and reapply to problem areas.
Low-pressure rinse removes dead organisms and chemical residue. We inspect with you and document cleaned areas. Most results fully visible within 24–48 hours.
"Our roof had black streaks for years. After BTS soft washed it, they're completely gone. They explained the process, were careful with our landscaping, and the results are remarkable."
"BTS soft washed our stucco exterior. No high-pressure damage, no leftover residue — just a clean, refreshed facade. Very professional and the price was very fair."
Soft washing uses low-pressure water (under 500 PSI) combined with a biodegradable cleaning solution to remove algae, mold, lichen, and mildew from delicate surfaces. Unlike pressure washing, it won't strip paint, crack shingles, or force water behind siding. The solution kills growth at the root for longer-lasting results.
Pressure washing relies on high-pressure water force to blast away surface dirt. Soft washing uses chemical cleaning action at low pressure to kill biological growth. For surfaces like roofs, siding, stucco, or painted wood, soft washing is the safe choice. BTS uses the right method for each surface — we won't soft wash flatwork that needs high pressure.
Yes — soft washing is the manufacturer-recommended cleaning method for asphalt shingles (following ARMA guidelines), vinyl siding, fiber cement, stucco, and EIFS. Our biodegradable solution removes black streaks (Gloeocapsa magma algae) without voiding roofing warranties or causing granule loss.
Soft washing results typically last 2–4 years on roofs and 1–3 years on siding, compared to a few months with pressure washing alone. The cleaning solution kills the organism, not just the surface deposit — so regrowth is significantly slower.
We pre-wet all landscaping, grass, and garden beds before applying any solution and rinse thoroughly after. Our biodegradable, plant-safe formulas are diluted appropriately. We have never had a landscaping damage claim in over 30 years of service in the St. Louis area.
Yes. Moss requires a higher concentration soft wash solution and a 20–30 minute dwell time. BTS includes moss treatment in standard roof soft washing. Results are visible within 1–2 weeks as the moss dries and blows away naturally.
Roof results typically last 1–3 years in St. Louis's climate before algae regrowth appears. Siding and stucco results last 2–4 years with no maintenance required. Shaded surfaces exposed to leaf debris may need treatment sooner.
Free estimates for Ballwin, Clayton, Chesterfield, Wildwood, and all of St. Louis County. No-damage guarantee on every soft wash job.
Last Updated: August 2026