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 coordinate the right method through our trusted partner network.
Updated August 5, 2026
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.
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 assess which surfaces need cleaning, which
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. Work is performed through our trusted partner network with the method matched to the surface, and you get before-and-after documentation either way.
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.
Do you do the washing yourselves?
Cleaning work is performed through our trusted partner network. 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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