Exterior Cleaning Questions, Answered

Soft washing uses low water pressure combined with biodegradable cleaning solutions to kill and remove organic growth, mold, mildew, and algae at the source. Because the pressure is low (similar to a garden hose), there is no risk of forcing water behind siding, lifting roof granules, or etching painted surfaces. It is the industry-recommended method for roof cleaning, stucco, wood siding, and painted surfaces. Gorilla uses soft washing on any surface where high pressure would cause damage.

High-pressure washing is the right tool for hard, dense surfaces that will not be damaged by force: concrete driveways, masonry retaining walls, brick pavers, and commercial sidewalks. Our driveway and concrete cleaning service uses a surface cleaner attachment that produces a consistent clean without the streaking that comes from a raw pressure wand. We match PSI and technique to the surface every time.

Not when done correctly. Gorilla uses low-pressure soft washing for all tile and composition roof work. High-pressure washing on a roof strips granules from asphalt shingles and can crack or dislodge clay and concrete tiles. Our cleaning solutions dissolve algae, lichen, and black-streak-forming Gloeocapsa magma bacteria without any mechanical damage to the roofing material. If a roof is too fragile to safely access or treat, we will tell you that honestly before taking the job.

Yes. Gorilla cleans solar panels using deionized or purified water with soft brushes and no abrasive chemicals. This method is consistent with manufacturer guidelines for most major panel brands. We do not use high pressure directly on panels, and we do not use detergents that would leave residue on the glass surface. If you are unsure about your specific panel warranty, review the manufacturer documentation or ask us and we will discuss the method with you before the job.

We pre-wet surrounding vegetation before applying any cleaning solutions, and we rinse thoroughly after the work is complete. Our soft-wash chemicals are biodegradable and diluted to safe concentrations. That said, we ask that pets be kept indoors or away from the work area during the job. Runoff containing cleaning agents, dislodged algae, and debris is not something you want a dog walking through. Plants close to a roof softwash rinse-off zone should be pre-watered and rinsed again once we are done.

Availability varies by season. During peak spring and summer months, lead time is typically a few days to one week. Off-peak, we can often schedule within 1 to 2 business days. Emergency service is available for situations like pre-event cleanup or post-fire-retardant removal where time matters. Call 562-837-7307 to check current availability and we will find the nearest open slot.

Not necessarily. For exterior-only work where water access and property access can be arranged in advance, many customers are at work while we complete the job. We do require clear access to water (outdoor hose bib or meter access), and any gates or side-yard entrances need to be unlocked. We will confirm all access logistics with you before job day. For interior-adjacent work like gutter cleaning, we may need brief communication if a question arises, so a reachable phone number helps.

Time varies by job type and property size. A driveway cleaning on a standard residential property runs roughly 1 to 2 hours. A full exterior house wash takes 2 to 4 hours depending on size and soiling level. Roof cleaning jobs can take 2 to 5 hours because the soft-wash dwell time is part of the process. Gutter cleaning on a single-story home is typically under 2 hours. We will give you a time estimate when we confirm your booking so you can plan your day accordingly.

Light rain does not automatically stop a job. Window cleaning in light drizzle produces good results. Pressure washing concrete and roof soft washing can proceed in many weather conditions. Heavy rain, however, dilutes soft-wash solutions before they have time to work, creates safety hazards on roofs, and makes surfaces unsafe to walk on. If rain is forecast to be heavy on your scheduled day, we will reach out in advance to reschedule at no charge to you.

We connect to the customer's outdoor water supply via a standard garden hose bib. A typical exterior house wash uses roughly 50 to 200 gallons depending on property size, which is comparable to a few loads of laundry. For solar panel cleaning, we use deionized water from our own supply tank and use significantly less. We do not charge for water used from your supply. If you have a well or are on a water restriction, let us know in advance and we will plan accordingly.