Cleaning your roof is a quick and easy way to improve the look of your property by removing moss, lichen, dirt and anything else that has accumulated up there. In addition to these aesthetic benefits, cleaning your roof is an important part of roof maintenance and can help you identify issues before they become serious problems.
In this article, we look at the following:
- How much roof cleaning costs;
- What affects the price of roof cleaning;
- How to save money on roof cleaning;
- What’s involved in cleaning a roof;
- How to find and hire a professional roof cleaner; and,
- Answers to your frequently asked questions.
How Much Does Roof Cleaning Cost?
Roof cleaning is an important part of house maintenance as it acts as a preventative measure to avoid any future problems with accumulating water, or eventual damage to your roof tiles. With that in mind, roof cleaning can come in many different shapes and sizes depending on what you want and need to do.
The two ways professional roof cleaners will operate will either be using a hand-removal method, known as hand-scraping, else they will use a pressure washer to expedite the process.
For a hand-removal process, such as having moss removed, you can look to expect the following prices:
| HOUSE SIZE | ESTIMATED COST | TIME REQUIRED |
|---|---|---|
| Terraced House | £395 to £420 | 2 to 5 hours |
| Semi-detached House | £495 to £520 | 2 to 5 hours |
| Detached House | £595 to £795 | 2 to 5 hours |
Hand-removal is far cheaper than pressure washing, with a terraced house costing between £395 to £420. While it’s best to ask the professionals to assess your roof before settling on the correct type of maintenance, for roofs with no underlying problems, moss removal should normally suffice.
For a semi-detached house, you can expect to pay between £495 and £520 for moss removal, and an average-sized detached home can bring in costs of £595 to £620.
As the houses get larger, the price increases, with a large, detached house costing more than £795. However, moss removal is an important part of roof maintenance and will stop other natural growths if treated with a biocide after cleaning.
Hand-removal may be the best option for older properties as pressure washing comes with the risks of making tiles loose, as well as getting water stuck into small gaps and crevices which can lead to damp problems. Although it’s the cheaper option, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the more ‘budget’ way to remove roof dirt – in some cases, it’s by far the best option out there, depending on the roof in question.
For a pressure washing process, you can look to expect the following prices:
| HOUSE SIZE | ESTIMATED COST | TIME REQUIRED |
|---|---|---|
| Terraced House | £550 to £700 | 2 to 5 hours |
| Semi-detached House | £750 to £900 | 2 to 5 hours |
| Detached House | £900 to £1,100 | 2 to 5 hours |
Pressure washing comes with a higher price tag – as well as a risk factor in that the act of using high pressure to wash roofs may lead to roof tiles being dislodged with the force. This method generally creates a lot more mess as moss, lichen and dirt are sprayed off the roof’s surface and onto the ground below.
For this reason, pressure washing isn’t ideal for older, more fragile roofs as it can lead to water getting into places you don’t want it, as well as damaging the exterior protection your roof tiles give. Slate roofs are more susceptible to damage, so it’s something to bear in mind if your contractor suggests this.
The cost of pressure washing a terraced house is between £550 and £700, with it increasing to £750 to £900 for a semi-detached home.
Detached homes can command fees of £900 to £1,000 for an average-sized property, with a large, detached home costing more than £1,100.
Pressure washing can be incredibly useful for larger expanses, such as roofs on large detached homes, or ones with reduced accessibility. As we’ve already stated, pressure washing comes with the risk of loosening tiles and causing damage, especially to slate roofs, so if in doubt speak to your contractor about which method is best for your roof.
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What Affects the Cost of Roof Cleaning?
The cost of getting your roof cleaned will vary depending upon several facts.
The Size and Condition of Your Roof
If your roof is particularly covered by a large build-up of moss and dirt, it’ll take your contractors much longer to clean than it would a roof with minimal moss growth.
Similarly, the size of your roof will raise your prices as detailed above, but will also need longer labour hours – especially if a hand-removal method is being used.
If you get an experienced roof cleaning company to look at your home, then they should be able to give you an accurate estimate of how long it will take to complete the work, as well as the best method of removal.
Whether You Choose a Sole Trader or a Large Company
It’s worth considering the difference in cost when you use a medium-sized company versus a small, one-man-band. This type of company will have up to five employees, and will usually charge more than the previous example:
- In London, a medium-sized firm will charge you up to £600 for cleaning your roof
- In the rest of the Southern region and the Midlands, expect to pay between £450 to £500
- If you live further north in England, then the price could be potentially as low as £400
Then, when it comes to large roof cleaning companies with more than 10 employees, the price goes up accordingly:
- Large companies London could charge up to £850, at the upper end of the price scale
- In the South and Midlands, £550 to £650 is the sort of price range you will be looking at
- The price you pay the more north you travel should be £450 to £550.
Ease of Access
As mentioned briefly, if your home has poor access this will impact your overall price as the contractors won’t have as much of a straightforward experience working on your roof.
This can be directly shown in an increase of hours spent on your roof, or in the cost of parking permits if your home doesn’t have a driveway or free off-road parking.
Your Location
As with many types of trades, London is typically the most expensive place to get it done.
The regional differences can be due to factors such as the local cost of living, competition levels and even the cost of parking for tradesmen.
- A small, one-man roofing company could charge you around £400 to £500 in the capital for moss removal on a small property
- The roof cleaning cost using a small company like this could be as low as £350 in other parts of the South of England and the Midlands
- The further north you venture in England, the more the cost of roof cleaning tends to drop, which can be as little as £300 for a one-man company in some cases
How Can I Save Money on Roof Cleaning?
Comparing quotes is a great way to potentially reduce the cost of roof cleaning. HouseholdQuotes can help you get quotes from multiple roof cleaners near you, so that you can find someone that suits your budget. Click the button below to get started:
Climbing up onto the roof and cleaning away the dirt and moss on the roof tiles isn’t the sort of weekend DIY job that most homeowners would or should consider. Bearing this in mind, it appears to be a far better idea to leave it to someone else.
It can be dangerous to work on the roof, as any sort of fall can lead to a serious injury. The professional firms who offer this service employ experienced tradesmen who are comfortable working at heights and take all of the necessary precautions to stay safe while up there.
This doesn’t stop you from helping your contractors out, though – and you can do this in some simple preparation before they arrive.
Ensuring there is suitable parking arrangements for their vehicles can save time and stress, as well as making sure there’s plenty of ground space around the property for them to be able to access the roof.
Further to this, removing anything from the ground that might get damaged during the cleaning is essential. Vehicles, garden ornaments or furniture should be moved out of the way in case anything falls on them during the job.
Asking your contractors to apply a biocide treatment will also ensure that your roof won’t immediately re-grow moss and lichen, which makes it a cost-effective option as you won’t have to have your roof re-cleaned quite so rapidly.
What’s Involved in Cleaning a Roof?
Depending on whether or not you’re having your roof hand-cleaned or pressure washed, the steps are as follows:
Hand-washing involves the contractor using equipment such as a brush or a scraper to manually remove the dirt and moss from your roof. Biocide will be used first to kill off the living organisms and help to deter re-growth, and the areas will be cleaned manually thereafter
Pressure washing is more of a complicated process and it can be messier – it can also damage particular types of roofs, so make sure to check your roof can handle a pressure wash before you hire the contractor. Biocide will again be used before starting, and the pressure washer will be aimed so that it never shoots underneath a roof tile to prevent any leaks or damage.
Moss and other dirt then simply fall off the roof.
Chemicals may then be sprayed onto the roof to ensure that moss doesn’t grow back on it, which can help to ensure the longevity of your roof.
Is Roof Cleaning the Best Choice for My Home?
Let’s take a look at some quick-fire pros and cons of having your roof cleaned to help you to firm up your decision.
| ADVANTAGES | DISADVANTAGES |
|---|---|
| Increases curb appeal | Pressure washing can be too severe for some roof types |
| Helps to deter and remove pests | Over-cleaning can cause damage to the roof |
| Appealing to housebuyers | Mortar and flashings can be jet washed off the roof, causing damp problems |
| Helps to maintain the health and longevity of your roof | Water can sometimes get into small crevices and lead to damp problems |
First and foremost, the main attractor for roof cleaning is to simply improve the appearance of your roof, adding to your curb appeal and helping to attract housebuyers when you’re selling your house. On a practical level, it can help to prevent any pests from setting up camp in the moss which can cause structural problems, and it can also help to extend the lifespan of your roof.
The disadvantages are only really encountered when the wrong type of cleaning is chosen – in the case of fragile slate roofs, you won’t want to go near them with a pressure washer, for example, as it is far too strong for the tiles and will cause damage. Similarly, if you clean the roof too often you can end up damaging the tiles which could lead to damp problems further down the line, so it’s best to only get the work done when necessary.
How Do I Find and Hire a Professional Roof Cleaner?
Finding the right roof cleaner can be challenging. At HouseholdQuotes, we can connect you to roof cleaners in your area. Click the button below to tell us more about your project, and we’ll help you find someone quickly and easily:
Once you’ve found your trader, the search doesn’t stop there – you should check their online reviews, too. By reading reviews you can get a far better idea of the quality of the company you plan to use, considering their professionalism and competency as well as their overall work ethic.
As a useful starting point, you should ask your friends and neighbours, too. It should be easy enough to see which friends and neighbours have had their roofs cleaned – so, why not ask a few of them if they would recommend the contractor who did the work for them?
Ensuring the Professional Is the Right Fit
When reaching out to potential contractors, always ask for any quotes to be handed to you in the written format – and if anyone refuses this, refuse to work with them.
Verbal contracts aren’t binding, and no matter how lovely someone seems when they’re discussing your job with you, they can easily refuse the memory of something which can end up costing you greatly.
Finding out about their experience, and whether or not they’re more accustomed to hand-removal or pressure washing will help to narrow your search to find the right contractor with the best skills for your project.
Finally, asking for proof of a contractor’s insurance is one of the most essential steps in the whole process. Without insurance, if damages happen, nothing is covered – whether that’s physical damage or otherwise.
Final Checklist
If you’re considering having your roof cleaned and want to take the plunge, here’s our final checklist to make sure you’ve got everything covered:
- Use HouseholdQuotes to find local roof cleaners and potentially save money on your roof cleaning
- Find out what’s best for your roof – do you have slate tiles? If so, pressure washing mightn’t be the best option
- Ensure anything breakable has been removed from the area when cleaning is taking place, as moss and other debris will fall from the roof
- Find out about roof sealants and if you want extra protection applied after the cleaning has happened.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should I Have My Roof Cleaned?
As frequently as once a year is suggested, although personal circumstances come into play – whether your roof is brand new or old, for example.
How Can I Stop Moss From Growing on My Roof?
Ask your contractors to apply a biocide after cleaning to prevent lichen, moss and dirt from collecting and growing on your tiles.
Can Pressure Washing Damage My Roof?
Pressure washing can damage fragile roof tiles, like slate, as the force can push them out of position. It’s best to check with your contractor before settling on a cleaning treatment to make sure what you’re considering won’t be damaging the roof’s integrity.
What Time of Year Should I Clean My Room?
You can clean your roof at any time of year, though do be aware that some weather conditions will make the more job more difficult and potentially more expensive.
Generally, the beginning of autumn is the best time to clean your roof as you want to make sure it’s prepared for winter and any extreme weather that may bring.
What Is Soft Wash Roof Cleaning?
Soft wash roof cleaning refers to a cleaning method that uses specialised solutions and low pressure to clean your roof. This kind of washing can remove algae and mildew, as well as any organic stains that may have appeared.
Is Soft Washing Better Than Pressure Washing?
Soft washing is perfect for softer surfaces which may not be able to handle the pressure of pressure washing. Soft washing can still effectively remove dirt and debris, but it won’t be able to intensely clean the roof the way a pressure washer will be able to.
Pressure washing is ideal for surfaces that can handle the force of the blast and will ensure a thorough clean.
What Is Roof Coating?
Roof coating is a membrane that can be applied to the roof’s tiles to offer additional protection from the elements and UV rays to add to the longevity of your roof.
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