Roof Cleaning
Roof Cleaning from Dirty South Power Wash, based in Horley: moss and organic growth taken off the tiles by soft washing or pressure washing, whichever suits the roof. The first step is a free, no-obligation quote.
Roof cleaning removes the moss, algae and lichen holding water against your tiles, and for most UK roofs the safe way to do it is a soft wash: a low-pressure biocide that kills the growth at the root, rather than a high-pressure jet that strips the protective surface off concrete tiles and can force water up under the laps. We look at the tile type and pitch before choosing a method, use pressure washing only where the covering can take it, and offer treatments to help slow moss returning.
What we clean
- Moss and organic growth removal
- Soft washing or pressure washing to suit the roof
- Treatment options to help prevent moss returning
- Domestic and commercial roofs
How it works
- 1 Ground survey and access plan
We look at the tile type, the pitch, the condition and how we are getting up there safely. Concrete interlocking, clay plain tiles, slate and older stone slabs all need a different touch, and a brittle tile is a repair bill waiting to happen.
- 2 Agree the method before anything gets touched
Some roofs suit careful scraping of the dry moss, some suit a soft wash and biocide, some suit both, and a few are best left alone. We tell you which one yours is, including when the answer is that a clean is not worth doing.
- 3 Remove the growth and control where it falls
Moss coming off a roof goes straight into the gutters and all over the ground below. That wants managing as the work goes on rather than leaving a garden full of it.
- 4 Clear the gutters and downpipes afterwards
A roof clean that leaves the gutters packed with moss has only moved the problem. Clearing them is what finishing the job properly looks like, so it is worth confirming it is in your quote.
- 5 Biocide treatment and the honest timescale
Where a treatment is used, it keeps working for weeks or months after we leave. The roof carries on lightening instead of looking finished the same afternoon, and that is worth knowing upfront.
We assess each roof first and use the safest method for the tiles and pitch.
Roof Cleaning: questions these guides answer
Other services
Driveway Cleaning
Remove dirt, moss, algae and stains from block paving, concrete and paved driveways.
Learn more
Patio Cleaning
Lift years of built-up dirt, algae and black spots from patios and paving.
Learn more
Soft Washing
Low-pressure, eco-friendly cleaning that treats algae and mould at the source.
Learn moreReal results
Roof Cleaning: before & after
Genuine before and after results from recent jobs across Surrey, Sussex and Kent.
Our work
Roof Cleaning in action
Recent jobs from around Surrey, Sussex and Kent.
Customer reviews
What our customers say
Dirty South Power Wash were absolutely fantastic from start to finish. They're extremely friendly, professional, and reliable, making the whole process completely stress free. I had my decking soft washed and the results were amazing, it genuinely looks like new and has been brought back to life. You can really tell they take pride in their work and pay attention to detail. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone and will definitely be using their services again in the future!
No fuss, just excellent - from start to finish. Friendly to deal with, clear communication all the way, came when they said they would, did an excellent job. Would use again without a doubt.
Great service, really pleased with our garage roof. All the moss has gone and left nice and tidy. Great guys too. Thanks!
Did a fantastic job on a garage roof clean/moss removal, looks good as new! friendly & professional highly recommend 👏🏼
Really pleased with our driveway😊
They done an amazing job and great price
Good to know
Roof Cleaning: your questions answered
What does roof cleaning cost?
It is quoted per roof, free, and it is worth understanding what the price is made of. A roof job is a survey, then physical removal of the growth, then a biocide treatment where one is suitable, then clearing the gutters and downpipes that all of it has fallen into. Some roofs need every stage and some need one. The covering, the pitch, the condition and how much growth is on there all move the figure.
Is roof cleaning worth doing, or is it purely cosmetic?
It depends on the roof, and which sort yours is can be settled from the ground. A thick moss mat holds water against the tiles, can impede the run-off on a shallow pitch and breaks away to pack the gutters, all of which are real. A light covering of growth on a sound roof is largely cosmetic. Where a roof does not need doing, saying so beats taking the money.
What is the difference between scraping moss off and treating it?
Scraping removes the bulk of the moss on the day, treating kills it at the root so it stays away longer. Many roofs suit both: the mass comes off first, then a biocide deals with what is left in the surface. A treated roof carries on lightening for weeks or months afterwards as the dead growth weathers away, so it does not look finished the same afternoon.
Do you apply roof coatings or paint roof tiles?
No. Roof work here is moss and organic growth removal, cleaning by the method that suits the tiles, and treatments to help slow moss returning. Coatings and tile paints are a different trade with different consequences, and applying one to a roof that has not been properly assessed can trap moisture in the tiles. If that is what you are after, you want a roofing contractor.
Will you turn a roof down?
Yes, and it happens regularly. Brittle coverings, slipped slates, failing fixings and roofs in poor enough condition that access alone risks damage are all better left to a roofer. So are old stone slab roofs where matching replacement material is slow and expensive. Being told your roof needs a repair rather than a wash is a better outcome than paying for the wash.
Need roof cleaning?
Free, no-obligation quotes across Surrey, Sussex and Kent. Send a few photos and we will do the rest.