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Glossary of Terms

Soft Washing

Low-pressure (<100 PSI) application of a sodium-hypochlorite + surfactant solution that kills algae, mold, mildew, and lichen at the spore level without damaging shingles, paint, screens, or stucco. The ARMA-recommended method for roof cleaning in Florida.

Pressure Washing

High-pressure water cleaning (1,500–4,400 PSI) used on hard surfaces like concrete driveways, sidewalks, pavers, and pool decks. Best paired with a surface cleaner for streak-free results.

Surface Cleaner

A round, shrouded attachment with two rotating spray bars that applies even pressure across a wide concrete or paver surface, eliminating the wand-stripe pattern that single-nozzle pressure washing leaves behind.

Sodium Hypochlorite (SH)

Industrial-grade chlorine bleach diluted with water and a surfactant. The active ingredient in roof soft washing and house soft washing. Kills algae and mildew at the root, not just the surface.

Surfactant

A wetting and clinging agent added to soft-wash mix so the cleaning solution dwells on vertical surfaces (walls, roofs, soffits) long enough to kill organisms before rinsing.

Gloeocapsa Magma

The cyanobacteria responsible for the black streaks running down asphalt-shingle roofs in humid climates like Florida. Killed by soft washing; pressure washing only rinses the surface and the streaks return within months.

Polymeric Sand

Fine sand mixed with polymer additives that, when activated with water, hardens between paver joints to lock pavers in place, block weeds, and resist ant nesting. Used in 2 Bros & A Hose paver restorations before sealing.

Paver Sealer

A water- or solvent-based coating applied to pavers that locks joint sand, repels oil/wine/sunscreen stains, blocks UV fading, and enhances color. Available in matte, semi-gloss, or wet-look finishes. Typically lasts 3–5 years in Florida sun.

Wet-Look Sealer

A high-solids paver sealer that produces a glossy, freshly-rained-on appearance and the deepest color saturation. Most durable finish but shows wear patterns on high-traffic driveways soonest.

Efflorescence

The white, chalky calcium-carbonate haze that migrates to the surface of new concrete pavers as they cure. Must be removed with an efflorescence cleaner before sealing or the sealer will trap the haze permanently.

Pre-Treatment

Applying cleaning detergent (SH + surfactant) to a surface and letting it dwell 5–15 minutes before pressure washing. Lets the chemistry do the cleaning so the pressure wash itself can stay gentle on surfaces and landscaping.

Downstream Injector

A venturi attachment that meters cleaning chemical into the low-pressure side of a pressure washer, diluting at roughly 10:1 — the standard delivery method for residential soft washing.

ARMA

Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association — the trade body that publishes the official recommendation for roof cleaning: low-pressure soft washing with sodium hypochlorite, never high-pressure power washing.

Plant Protection

Pre-wetting landscaping and tarping or rinsing during a soft-wash job so cleaning runoff is diluted to safe levels before contacting roots, leaves, or grass. Required on every 2 Bros & A Hose job.

Lanai Rescreening

Removing and replacing the screen mesh in an aluminum-framed pool cage or patio enclosure. We use 18×14 Phifer or BetterVue no-see-um mesh, spline-locked into the existing frame, with stainless screw replacements.

Florida Glass

An aluminum-backed lower-panel screen option used in pool cages to keep pets in, block debris kick-up, and add storm resistance to the bottom 3 feet of an enclosure.

Spline

The rubber cord that wedges screen mesh into the channel of an aluminum lanai frame. Degrades from UV after 7–10 years and is replaced during every rescreen.

House Wash

Soft washing the exterior walls of a home — siding, stucco, soffits, fascia, and gutters — using a low-pressure SH + surfactant blend. The standard annual maintenance for Florida homes to prevent mildew shading.

Roof Streaks

See Gloeocapsa Magma. The dark vertical staining on shingles is a living algae colony, not dirt, and requires biocide treatment (not pressure) to actually remove.

Two-Step Process

Paver cleaning method using an acidic cleaner followed by a neutralizing alkaline cleaner to strip stubborn embedded rust, irrigation staining, and battery acid. Reserved for restoration jobs, not routine cleaning.