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Roof Cleaning And Moss Removal Guide

Dec 17, 2020
Over time, roofs can become dirty as a result of harsh weather, natural debris, or a build-up of moss. To keep your roof in the best condition possible you need to wash it regularly, either yourself or by hiring professionals. Moss especially can damage roofs, so it's important to remove it as soon as it appears, to maintain a functional and aesthetic roof, as well as reduce the risk of leaks and damage.
Having been in the roof cleaning business for a number of years, we have first-hand experience in handling roof moss. We understand how its growth occurs, the possible damage it can cause, and the preventative measures you can take to reduce future growth. We’ve compiled everything we know to produce this guide for you.

We hope the information we have created will assist you in identifying when you have to take action regarding roof cleaning and moss removal, and the best way to go about it. 

Is roof cleaning and roof moss removal necessary?

The weather we experience in the UK makes the perfect breeding ground for significant moss and algae growth on roof tiles. It all begins with moss spores landing on your roof. If conditions are right, the spores grow and appear in large green patches on the roof. Unchecked, the moss growth continues and produces a carpet-like structure that covers parts or all of your roof.

So should you clean your roof? Yes! If you let large patches of moss grow, they will hold water against the surface of the roof, which may cause the roofing materials to be damaged. 
Additionally, the water trapped by the moss pools in gaps between your roof’s tiles, and as that water freezes and thaws it can pull the tiles apart, causing even more damage over time.

This can cause expensive repairs and may shorten the life of your roof. A roof cleaning service, including roof moss removal and preventative treatments, can help minimise or eliminate the risk of damage.

Can moss cause damage to my roof?

Yes, it can, especially if it grows in large amounts and is long-standing. However, the extent of the damage depends on the type of building material on your roof.
Clay tiles can delaminate as a result of moisture caused by moss growing on its surface. The danger increases within the winter months as freezing occurs and causes expansion. To reduce the likelihood of this happening, clay tile roofs are often built quite steep to allow for drainage of rainwater. Regularly removing moss from these roofs can help them stay dry and prevent unnecessary damage.

Cement tiles are easily damaged by moss build up if the tile is weak or dusty. Cleaning a cement surface to get rid of moss and other biological growth is essential and prolongs the lifespan of the tile.

The brickwork of chimneys and the cement cap are also in danger of being damaged by moss growth. Moisture can seep in and cause loss of structural integrity when it freezes during the winter months.

The guttering and drainpipes installed on your building can also become blocked as a result of moss washing down from the roof. In large amounts, the debris can cause gutters to bend or even break as a result of the added weight. Drain pipes, when blocked, can burst as trapped water freezes and expands.

Can I clean my roof myself?

Tackling external property cleaning, maintenance or repairs yourself is great when things go well. And with time on your hands during Covid19, it’s not surprising people are trying to do more DIY than ever. However, it’s really important to consider the risks and knowing what you can take on yourself and when you may need some help. You can sometimes do more harm than good, so perhaps when it comes to roof cleaning it’s best to use professionals.
Moss Removal
Preventing Damage

The ‘go to’ method for DIY roof cleaning is often pressure washing. Even when done properly by someone with experience, it is often damaging to the roof surface, flashing, and chimneys. A typical homeowner or unskilled professional can do significant damage with pressure washing.

If you select the approach of using chemicals or solutions you purchased online, you want to apply them within the exact amounts and evenly across the whole roof surface. If not, it’s likely you won’t eliminate all of the moss growth and you’ll leave unsightly blemishes on your roof. You’ll be surprised at how easy it’ll be to see where the roof was cleaned and where it wasn’t. Chemicals that aren’t spread evenly will create an unsightly blotchy, patchwork effect. In this case, your roof isn’t completely clean and aesthetically that’s not the result you’d want.

Too many people choose taking DIY to the next level. They decide creating their own ‘chemical solution’ is a good idea. The standard ‘Google’ recommendation is to spray wash the roof with a 50 percent mixture of water and bleach and use a brush to wash it off the roof. This method will both damage the roof material (scrubbing with the wrong kind of brush can damage the integrity of your roof tiles) and anything the spray contacts; including siding, expensive landscaping foliage, decks, and garden furniture.

The cost/time factor

Hiring roof cleaning specialists to properly clean your roof or gutters isn't that expensive. It’s likely less costly than doing it yourself.

Think about the amount of your time the job will take, the money you spend and time to shop for the chemicals, the cost of a pressure washer or the other specialist equipment you would need, the time to set up, clean your roof and gutters, then the time to clear it all away properly. It adds up. Then you step back, check out your work and realised you missed a bit, or several!

We highly recommend you hire a professional with all the necessary experience and equipment needed for a thorough roof cleaning and moss removal service.

Ways to get rid of moss from your roof

Anywhere you look for roof cleaning services or roof moss removal, they will talk about cleaning your roof in one of two ways;

• Scraping and brushing the moss off then applying a chemical at low pressure (Softwashing)
• Power washing

Both methods are effective. However, they both require access to the roof which not only presents a risk, but if not done properly and with the appropriate tools, it can cause damage to your roof tiles. This type of work is, therefore, better left to a roof cleaning specialist who can do it safely, thoroughly and as efficiently as possible.
With power washing it’s nearly always inevitable that you would have to undertake minor repairs after roof cleaning. There’ll be tiles that break or slip and other slight movement or damage that requires some cementing and other remedial work. That’s why we recommend a softwash roof cleaning service.

Is pressure washing a roof bad?

The use of high-powered jet washers is not recommended as it can damage the surface of the slate or tile, therefore reducing the roofs expected life considerably. We often come across moss removal and roof cleaning services that are achieved by abrasive means such as power-washing, but we always advise to consider the damage that may be caused to the roof given the unnecessary foot traffic that can often lead to cracked or broken roof tiles. No one needs to go on your roof to achieve the results you’d want.

Using chemicals to eliminate moss

Chemicals are necessary when removing moss from your home. Without chemical treatment, live spores remain on the roof. It only takes the spores a couple of months to grow into visible moss. Within no time, you’re faced with the same problem, requiring you to repeat the roof cleaning process. It can be costly for you as moss growth is a never-ending problem in the UK.

A chemical will penetrate the areas you can't typically reach when removing moss, like the overlapping joints or the cracks within the structure. These are the spots where spores will be concentrated and cause regrowth soon after you’ve cleaned the roof. Using a biocide, therefore, assures you of thorough moss removal and prevents the cycle of growth continuing
Moss Removal
The application of chemicals isn't a permanent solution though. You still have to repeat the method every few years to stop new growth but the process will be much simpler and less expensive with a maintenance plan in place. An advantage of a chemical cleaning solution is that future moss growth won't come from the roof itself but from migrating spores, a process which will take time so you can easily stay on top of it.

BioWash™ non-pressure cleaning technology

This procedure of roof cleaning is done from ground level or gutter level, ensuring a thorough cleaning process that gets rid of the dirt and grime that may accumulate on the roof of your house. The result is a clean roof that looks a lot like it used to and it can totally transform the appearance of your home; it’s really effective. Besides just cleaning the roof, this technique provides roof protection as it seals the roof, thereby preventing future leaks or pests that could enter the home.

Non-pressure roof cleaning process

This cleaning process involves five steps:

• The first step is to protect the surrounding areas, like vegetation and piping, by covering these areas with sheets.

• The second step involves wetting the whole roof with water, followed by the application of BioWash cleaner. If the roof is in very poor condition and really filthy (which will be assessed by your roof cleaning professional) additional coats of the surface cleaner will have to be applied over the next few hours. The roof must be kept damp constantly for the surface cleaner to take effect. The roof cleaner is a strong cleaning agent that has in its composition four active components for effective roof cleaning. 

• In the third step, your roof cleaning professional will wash and rinse the roof, removing any debris that has been dislodged.

• The fourth step is the application of a surface protector. The surface protector product prevents the growth of lichens, moss, or/and algae. These are the main causes of roof damage and are very common in the UK’s climate. They may be stubborn and hard to get off with just one application of the protection product. Black or white lichens cannot always be removed and can still be seen after this process unfortunately.

• In step five, the whole process is finished with cleaning the gutters, washing the walls, washing the windows surrounding the home. The roof will continue to improve in appearance over a period of a few weeks that follow this process. Gradually, any residual lichens or moss that may have remained will become less visible. 

What equipment is needed for applying the chemicals?

Chemical application is better done using a sprayer. As with any chemical spraying activity, it’s essential that you wear protective gear such as gloves and a full-face mask. Again, it’s advisable for this activity to be carried out by a skilled person. The heights involved require adequate experience to ensure ladder safety. A professional will also know the hidden areas that require attention, the right chemical concentration to use and many other techniques for safe and thorough cleaning.

How long after roof moss removal might it take for it to reappear?

If you were to only have the moss removed with no post treatment applied you'd notice moss regrowth within a really short period of time.

This is because it's impossible to get rid of every single moss spore from the roof with simply pressure washing or scraping as they're buried deep within the roof tile joints and any gaps present on the roof. As a result it's highly recommended you have a softwash roof cleaning service.

This method of roof cleaning will ensure all the hidden moss spores are destroyed therefore prolong the period before any regrowth.

It is hard to offer a particular time-frame of how long the roof will stay moss free as there are too many varying factors to take into consideration such as;

• The climate

• Your properties surroundings, for example loads of shade from trees and which way your house faces in terms of sunlight

• Whether neighbouring roofs are covered in moss
To totally prevent moss reappearing on the roof it's best to have a maintenance application of biocide treatment. 

Ways to reduce the growth of moss

Moss is better controlled than regularly removed. It’s cheaper, plus you won’t have to pay for a full roof clean as often which protects your roof from damage. To regulate moss, it’s essential that you understand what accelerates its growth. As we've seen, some conditions promote moss growth on surfaces, and avoiding them can significantly reduce the speed at which moss covers your roof.
Avoid damp conditions
Easier said than done in the UK! Moss grows well in moist conditions. That’s why the north-facing side of a roof often has moss and the south-facing one has little growth. Other conditions that make moisture stay on a roof include overhanging branches of trees. It also can be bushes or live fences that have overgrown and prevent any sunlight getting to your roof.
Make sure you’ve pruned trees and hedges where you can. In cases where moss is already there, it’s necessary to have that removed. The sponge-like nature of moss soaks in rainwater and makes the roof stay wet for longer, increasing the speed of growth.

Clean the roof of debris

Leaves and other materials may get blown onto your roof. Left to accumulate, the debris covers the roof and results in retention of moisture. Over time, the damp conditions result in moss thriving as it has the perfect conditions to grow and spread.
Check your roof for deposited materials from time to time. Remove it yourself if the roof isn't too high or if you've got the specified equipment. 

Consider removing TV aerials and other receivers

This one’s a little bit of thinking outside the box. TV aerials or receiving dishes attract birds which perch there for hours and cover the roof with excrement. This, alongside the small shade caused by the arterial and dish, cause moist conditions and increased moss growth.
With today’s technology, you may not need a roof aerial to receive TV in your home, if this is the case there’s no reason to keep that aerial and let it contribute to moss growth on your roof. 

Safe roof cleaning specialists

If you are a homeowner, we’re sure you’d like to extend the life of your roof for as long as possible. The smart way to do this is to hire professional roof cleaners who clean and repair roofs in a safe way These specialists, deliver an eco-friendly low pressure cleaning treatment. The pressure from this kind of technique is similar to the pressure exerted by a garden hose, only with a bio-degradable cleaning solution that gets rid of algae, grime, lichens, and moss. This is not just a roof cleaning system, but a facelift your roof will need to ensure its longevity. Simple pressure cleaning just blows off the dirt, only to have it return. Safe chemical cleaning methods remove the dirt without damage to your roof tiles and we absolutely recommend it!

Roof cleaning near me

We offer a roof cleaning service in Bedford and surrounding areas such as Luton, Milton Keynes, and Northampton to name a few. You can find a full list of places we cover here.

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