Pressure Washing Voids Roof Warranties, Industry Group Warns

Pressure Wash Roof Warning: What Cumming, GA Homeowners Need to Know

Cumming, Aruba – May 1, 2026 / Atlas Pro Wash /

CUMMING, GA — The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) explicitly prohibits high-pressure washing on asphalt shingles, yet many homeowners unknowingly request or accept that method when hiring a company to pressure wash or clean their roof — a choice that can void manufacturer warranties and leave them fully responsible for the cost of roof replacement.

ARMA’s technical bulletin “Algae Discoloration of Roofs” identifies low-pressure soft washing with a diluted bleach solution as the appropriate method for removing algae, moss, and biological growth from asphalt shingle roofs. Warranty documentation from major roofing manufacturers excludes damage caused by improper maintenance, a category their published care guidelines identify as including high-pressure washing.

The mechanism of damage is direct. Asphalt shingles rely on embedded granules to protect the underlying mat from UV radiation and weathering. High-pressure water dislodges those granules. Once lost, they cannot be restored without full shingle replacement, and manufacturers classify the resulting damage as owner-caused, placing it outside warranty coverage.

“A lot of homeowners see dark streaks on their roof and want them gone fast,” said Anthony Tisi, owner of Atlas Pro Wash in Cumming, Georgia. “What they do not realize is that high-pressure washing on a roof can cause damage they cannot see right away, and void a warranty that would have covered that repair cost.”

Many exterior cleaning companies offer both pressure washing and soft washing services. The distinction matters most when it comes to roofs: homeowners should confirm which method a company plans to use before scheduling any roof cleaning work.

The financial exposure is particularly significant for homeowners in Cumming and Forsyth County, where Zillow data show the average home value at $608,766 as of February 2026, and Redfin reports a median sale price of $600,000. A voided roof warranty on a home of that value represents substantial uninsured financial risk.

Soft washing uses water pressure no higher than a standard garden hose, combined with cleaning solutions that remove algae, mold, mildew, lichen, and bacteria from roofing surfaces, a method ARMA endorses and roofing manufacturers recognize as acceptable maintenance.

Atlas Pro Wash advises homeowners in Cumming, Georgia, and across Forsyth County to ask any exterior cleaning company they hire which method will be used on their roof, and to confirm it complies with manufacturer maintenance guidelines before work begins.

About Atlas Pro Wash

Atlas Pro Wash is a locally owned exterior cleaning company based in Cumming, Ga., serving residential and commercial clients throughout North Georgia. The company specializes in soft washing, roof cleaning, gutter cleaning, deck and fence cleaning, and exterior window cleaning.