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

Richard Evans profile pictureRichard Evans
00:38 29 Apr 26
The guys did a great job cleaning our roof and gutters. There was a lot of debris from the winter storms, so it took some extra effort to get everything clean. Thanks for the great job!
Becky Schurmann profile pictureBecky Schurmann
00:29 29 Apr 26
Michael Crawford and his assistant Wyatt did an amazing job on an old house with a metal roof that had 8 years of delayed maintenance. They stayed nearby 2 hours over the estimated time to finish the job. We are beyond pleased. This is the second time I have hired one of your crews to do roof and window cleaning and again I am impressed with the level of experience and intelligence they bring to the job. I’m happy to recommend your company to others. Thank you!!
Julia profile pictureJulia
23:00 28 Apr 26
We had roof/gutters cleaned, windows cleaned, outside whole house cleaned and pressure washing done. We've lived here 20 years and have never had such professional/excellent jobs done. The house looks brand new. Wish there were more than 5 stars to give this company!
Robin Higgins profile pictureRobin Higgins
22:44 28 Apr 26
Excellent work! Very happy with this service.
Linda Barber profile pictureLinda Barber
17:24 23 Apr 26
Whyatt Madden did a great job he did exactly how I wanted things done and he did an amazing job! Great job!10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Great personality.It was a pleasure to meet Whyatt Madden
Dave Frakes profile pictureDave Frakes
18:12 22 Apr 26
I had the roof, gutters, and deck cleaned.Wyatt was our technician and he was great-a no- nonsense hard worker who got everything done right and answered all questions.He gets 5 plus stars!
Donald Hopper profile pictureDonald Hopper
22:55 19 Apr 26
Communication was poor from the outset. We submitted a request through their website and received no response for four days. Then, without any prior notice or scheduled appointment, an estimator showed up at our home a couple of days later.

By that point, we had already hired another company. When we informed him, he seemed confused and believed he had an appointment, which had never been arranged. He explained that his manager wasn’t sure how to handle our online request and sent him out without confirming anything with us.

If something as basic as scheduling and communication is handled this poorly, it raises serious concerns about how they would manage actual work or resolve problems.
Kathryn Sedlak profile pictureKathryn Sedlak
20:49 14 Apr 26
Great job!
Travis Araki profile pictureTravis Araki
18:39 14 Apr 26
I scheduled a roof and gutter service but got stood up after doing a soft wash on my roof. Poor customer service and all I heard was excuses to why they didn't show. "They were swamped!" lol
One customer lost...
Dean Sterrett profile pictureDean Sterrett
22:20 13 Apr 26
Great gutter cleaning, Quentin was on time, very professional and left the house and yard very clean. I will use this service again.
Michelle Corey profile pictureMichelle Corey
14:24 10 Apr 26
As a service organization, Johnny tsunami is the best I’ve used in a while. Great communication. They do what they say they’re gonna do and most importantly they are responsive to the customer needs.
barbara mcmahon profile picturebarbara mcmahon
14:22 10 Apr 26
Ty was thorough and very pleasant. My second year with Johnny Tsunami and I'm very pleased.

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.