Johnny Tsunami Answers The Most Common Exterior Cleaning FAQs

We believe the best customers are informed customers. At Johnny Tsunami, we’re not just here to clean but also to educate our customers. Below you’ll find answers to the most common questions we get from local homeowners and business owners about exterior cleaning, roof care, gutter maintenance, solar panel cleaning, pricing, and seasonal protection in the Pacific Northwest.

“These guides help you make smart decisions, understand service expectations, and know exactly what to expect when you book exterior cleaning with us.”

Helpful Answers. Straightforward Advice

Soft washing is a low-pressure cleaning method that uses specialized cleaning agents to break down grime, algae, and moss. Pressure washing relies on high-pressure water to blast away dirt. Pressure washing is ideal — ideal for concrete and hardscapes but not safe for concrete and hardscapes, but not safe for roofs, windows, or siding. Soft Washing:
  • Safe for shingles, vinyl, stucco, and older surfaces
  • Extends surface lifespan
  • Kills mold, mildew, and algae at the root
Pressure Washing:
  • Best for patios, driveways, brick, and walkways
  • Can damage paint, shingles, and seals if used improperly
At Johnny Tsunami, we assess the material and use the correct technique — not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Absolutely — and in fact, it’s the preferred method. Our biodegradable cleaning solution is designed to kill and remove moss, mold, and mildew without causing harm to your roofing materials, paint, or landscaping. Unlike pressure washing, which can void warranties and strip surfaces, soft washing is gentle and thorough.

Our technicians follow industry best practices, stay OSHA-compliant, and perform a pre-clean walkthrough to ensure everything is protected and prepared.

Eventually — yes. But our professional treatment significantly delays regrowth. Most roofs stay clean for 12–18 months depending on your tree coverage, weather exposure, and drainage.

We recommend an annual maintenance plan for moss prevention, gutter flow control, and touch-up treatments. We also provide guidance on trimming overhanging trees, clearing roof valleys, and keeping surfaces dry to slow moss growth.

Unless your roof has structural issues or widespread shingle failure, cleaning is almost always the better first step. Soft washing removes years of buildup, reveals the true condition underneath, and helps you avoid premature replacement costs.

We’ll inspect and advise you honestly — if it just needs cleaning, we’ll say so. If you need a roofer, we’ll point you to trusted partners.

Spring and fall are ideal:

  • Spring = remove winter debris, prep for pollen and growth
  • Fall = remove leaves, prep for rain and freezing conditions

We clean year-round, weather permitting. Our team knows how to work safely in wet conditions and can flex around your schedule.

The PNW is a moss paradise:

  • Constant rain and cool temps
  • Tree shade and minimal sun exposure
  • Leaves and needles collecting moisture

Unchecked moss can damage shingles, trap moisture, and lead to leaks. Cleaning it off and applying preventative treatment is the smartest way to protect your roof and gutters from long-term damage.

Here’s what we recommend:

  • Gutters: Twice yearly (Spring and Fall)
  • Siding: Once a year minimum — more if you have trees or algae
  • Solar panels: Every 6–12 months for optimal efficiency

Regular cleaning keeps your home healthy, your curb appeal sharp, and your energy savings intact. We’ll help you build a schedule that fits your home and your goals.

Our customers Reviews

Max Skotheim profile pictureMax Skotheim
17:59 18 Aug 26
Jude was a pleasure to work with!
William Donohue profile pictureWilliam Donohue
19:55 16 Aug 26
Johny tsunami did a great job cleaning my shake roof
Technician Wyatt M did a great job. He takes pride in his work.
William Donohue
John Tucker profile pictureJohn Tucker
16:24 15 Aug 26
Binny is friendly and leaves the place cleaner than when he arrives.
Ken D profile pictureKen D
23:27 11 Aug 26
Michael Crawford did a fantastic job! Most importantly, he was easy to work with and made all efforts to make sure we were pleased with his work.
Suzan Doyle profile pictureSuzan Doyle
21:39 11 Aug 26
Jude and Omar did a great job cleaning the debris off my roof. Jude scaled my metal roof like a mountain climber. Both gentlemen were personable and professional.
Tim Evens profile pictureTim Evens
19:30 11 Aug 26
Excellent service.
LYNDA WILSON profile pictureLYNDA WILSON
17:02 11 Aug 26
Very meticulous work on a huge roof. Looks like new
jeffrey hollingsworth profile picturejeffrey hollingsworth
17:32 10 Aug 26
Friendly service; repeat customer
Sandra Larsen profile pictureSandra Larsen
20:34 08 Aug 26
Worked very hard at getting the outside of the gutters super clean. The roof looks good too and the gutters are nice and clean with no mess left behind. Thanks Mike for the super job and good explanations.
Audrey R profile pictureAudrey R
00:23 08 Aug 26
used a few years ago for house siding soft wash, called last week and told me he would not clean siding like last time, unless they do the windows. I asked how can you wash siding and avoid windows--just house siding wash and to keep the same service I had a few years ago as before for house soft wash, (no windows mentioned.) He exaggerated the work and added over 800 dollars for what should have been a house siding wash, not house plus windows. Their web site does not show, as of today that windows must also be done for additional charge as part of house soft wash. Now I use Alpine, honest business practices
Joe Cooke profile pictureJoe Cooke
22:26 07 Aug 26
Johnny Tsunami took car of the roof and gutters on my new home. Michael was a rockstar who got up on our roof and brushed it off by himself despite the heat and wildfire smoke. We'll be using them for regular roof and gutter service going forward.
david carnahan profile picturedavid carnahan
20:53 07 Aug 26
Vance did a great job cleaning my windows

Let’s Get Your Home Sparkling Again

It’s time to say goodbye to dirt and moss and hello to a cleaner, brighter home! From roof cleaning to pressure washing, we’re here to help.