Roof Cleaning
Soft-wash roof cleaning across the North East. Moss removal, biocide treatment, no high pressure. Free quotes — call 07960 485 880.
A mossy, blackened roof is a problem that quietly gets worse the longer it's left. Moss holds moisture against the tiles, blocks gutters when it falls, can cause tiles to lift in winter, and gradually shortens the life of the roof. Our roof cleaning service tackles all of this — safely, without damaging the tiles, and with biocide treatment that keeps moss and algae at bay for years.
We don't use high-pressure jet washing on roofs. High pressure is the wrong tool for clay, concrete and slate tiles — it dislodges granules, shifts tiles and forces water under the laps. Instead we use soft washing: a low-pressure biocide treatment that kills moss, algae and lichen at the source, followed by careful manual or vacuum removal of dead growth. The result lasts longer and is far kinder to your roof.
How soft-wash roof cleaning works
Soft washing is the industry-standard method for cleaning residential and commercial roofs. The process has three main stages, all carried out from cherry pickers, harnesses or scaffold towers — never by walking on the tiles where it can be avoided.
- Inspection — we check tile condition, note any cracked or slipped tiles, and identify the type of growth (moss vs algae vs lichen). We send you a written report and photos.
- Biocide application — a specialist algaecide and fungicide is sprayed evenly across the roof at low pressure. The product penetrates the moss and kills it at the root, including spores in the tile pores.
- Removal — heavy moss is scraped off carefully or vacuumed (depending on access). The biocide continues to work for weeks afterwards, killing residual spores and slowing regrowth dramatically.
We always finish by clearing the gutters of fallen moss debris, which would otherwise cause blockages within weeks. That's included in the price.
What about pressure washing roofs?
Some operators still pressure wash roofs. We don't, and we think it's a bad idea on most domestic roofs. Concrete tiles have a sand-cement coating that gives them their colour and helps them shed water — high pressure strips that coating off, leaving the tiles looking patchy and shortening their life. Slate tiles can fracture under pressure. And on any pitched roof, water forced under the laps at high pressure can find its way into the loft.
The only context where higher-pressure cleaning makes sense is on flat roofs (asphalt, EPDM or felt) where there's no risk of water ingress under laps. Even then we use moderate pressure with care.
Why moss is a problem
- It holds moisture against the tiles, which accelerates wear and frost damage.
- It blocks gutters and downpipes when chunks fall off, leading to overflow and damp.
- Big clumps can lift tiles as roots establish in the laps.
- Spores spread fast — once moss is established, it colonises adjacent tiles within a season.
- It looks awful — and noticeably reduces kerb appeal and property value.
Roof types we clean
We work on all common UK pitched roof types: concrete tiles (Marley, Redland, Sandtoft and similar), clay tiles, natural slate, fibre-cement slate, and reclaimed roofing. Each has its own quirks and our approach reflects that. We also work on flat roofs — felt, EPDM, GRP fibreglass and asphalt.
What we don't do is risky DIY-style work on tile types that need specialist handling — for that we'll refer you to a roofing contractor or work alongside one. We're upfront about the limits of cleaning.
Should I have my roof coated after cleaning?
Roof coatings are a hot topic. Some companies sell expensive sealing or coating treatments that promise to extend tile life and stop algae. We're cautious about these. Most concrete tiles are designed to be permeable, and sealing them can trap moisture against the substrate. Some coatings void manufacturer guarantees on newer tiles.
Our position: a soft-wash clean plus an annual or biennial biocide refresh keeps a roof looking great for many years without coating. If you want a coating regardless, we'll happily discuss the options and recommend a properly accredited specialist. We'd rather lose the work than mis-sell.
Gutter clearance is included
When we clean a roof, fallen moss inevitably ends up in the gutters. Leaving it there would cause blockages within days. So every roof clean includes a thorough gutter clearance — usually carried out from the ground using a high-reach vacuum, or from a tower if the building requires it. Downpipes are flushed to confirm flow.
Frequently asked questions
How long does roof cleaning last?
A soft-wash treatment with biocide typically keeps a roof looking clean for three to five years. The biocide kills the spores so regrowth is dramatically slower than after a pressure wash alone. After three to four years a top-up biocide spray (much cheaper than a full clean) keeps things in check.
Will you walk on my tiles?
We minimise foot traffic by working from cherry pickers, scaffold towers or harnessed safe lines. Where we do need to access the roof we use crawler boards that spread the load. We never walk directly on slates or fragile tiles.
What if I have broken tiles?
We report any broken or slipped tiles we spot during the inspection. We can carry out small repairs (lifting, replacing or re-bedding individual tiles) as part of the visit, or recommend a roofer for larger work.
Will the biocide harm my plants?
No — applied correctly and rinsed afterwards, the biocides we use are safe for surrounding planting. We pre-wet plants before treatment so any drift is diluted and we rinse them again afterwards.
Can you treat lichen as well as moss?
Yes. Lichen (the orange and yellow patches) is harder to kill than moss but the same biocide treatment works on both. Very heavy lichen sometimes needs a follow-up application a few weeks later.