Pressure Washing
Pressure Washing, Done Where It Belongs
High pressure cleans concrete and destroys shingles. We explain what each surface of your home can take, and match the right method to each surface before the crew starts.
Updated October 13, 2026
Read This First
The short version
- Never pressure wash an asphalt shingle roof, because it strips the granules that are the roof's UV defense and the damage is permanent.
- Roofs and delicate surfaces get soft washing. That is low pressure with a cleaning solution that removes algae and stains.
- Driveways, sidewalks and most masonry take high pressure well.
- Our crew does the cleaning from start to finish. The method fits each surface, with before and after photos.
- Black streaks on a roof are gloeocapsa magma, an algae that soft washing removes.
To get cleaning matched to your surfaces, call or text 512-575-5052 or use Get Help.
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Know the Limits
What pressure washing helps, and what it wrecks
The most important thing to know about pressure washing is where never to point it.
High pressure suits concrete, stone and most masonry, but it strips shingle granules and can push water behind siding.
Never pressure wash an asphalt shingle roof
Driveways, sidewalks, and most masonry take high pressure well. Asphalt shingles do not: a pressure washer strips the granules that are the roof’s entire UV defense, and the damage is permanent and often invisible from the ground. Painted siding, window seals, and mortar joints sit in between, where technique decides whether cleaning helps or harms.
Roofs and delicate surfaces call for soft washing: low pressure with the right cleaning solution, which removes algae and staining without eroding the surface.
- Granule loss shortens roof life permanently. Soft washing is the only defensible method for shingle algae and staining.
- Watch the water line. Driving water upward under siding laps or into soffit vents pushes moisture where walls are built to keep it out.
- Mind seals and joints. Window glazing, door seals, and aging mortar can fail under concentrated pressure.
- Concrete and stone are the sweet spot. Flatwork, patios, and most masonry are where high pressure genuinely shines.
Method Matched
How we handle exterior cleaning
Guidance first, then the right crew with the right method.
We check which surfaces need cleaning, which method each can take, and whether stains hide a moisture problem.
Which surfaces, and which method
We assess which surfaces need cleaning, which method each can tolerate, and whether cleaning is even the right call, because sometimes staining signals a moisture problem that washing would only hide. We manage the work, with the method matched to the surface, and you get before-and-after documentation either way.
Where We Work
Pressure washing in Round Rock and nearby towns
The Roof Shepherd is based in Round Rock and works anywhere in Texas. These are the towns closest to home.
Common Questions
What homeowners ask
No, and neither should anyone else if
Can you pressure wash my roof?
No, and neither should anyone else if it is asphalt shingle. High pressure strips the protective granules and permanently shortens roof life. Roof algae and staining are handled with soft washing: low pressure and the correct solution.
What is soft washing?
Soft washing uses low pressure, close to a garden hose, with cleaning solutions that break down algae, mildew, and organic staining. The chemistry does the work instead of the force, which is why it is safe for shingles, painted surfaces, and screens.
What does exterior cleaning cost?
Costs vary with size, material, access, and condition; no honest number exists sight unseen. The Ask Shepherd AI assistant rolling out on this site will walk through the cost drivers for your specific situation, and a call today gets you a straight answer about scope.
Will washing remove the black streaks on my roof?
Usually yes. Those streaks are gloeocapsa magma, an airborne algae common across Texas. Soft washing removes it; pressure washing would remove it along with the roof’s granule layer, which is a bad trade.
Who does the washing on my job?
Our crew does the cleaning, start to finish. We scope the surfaces, match the method, coordinate the crew, and document the results, so nothing gets cleaned with a method it cannot tolerate.
How often should a house exterior be washed?
Most Texas homes benefit from exterior cleaning every one to three years depending on tree cover, shade, and humidity. North-facing and shaded elevations grow algae fastest and set the schedule.
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