Roof Cleaning
With the roof being the pinnacle of the house it can set the standard from top to bottom, so a clean vibrant looking roof can really make your home stand out, that being said the roof is not only the hardest part of the house to access for any potential DIY ventures it’s also the most heavily exposed to the elements so it’s absolutely vital to maintain the looks and functional structure of the roof.
From a visual standpoint it can appear that a roof heavily covered in moss has passed its sell by date, this is not the case with our roof cleaning & restoration service. We can remove the unwanted eco system of moss and lichen, leaving you with a stunning moss free finish revealing the beautiful vibrant tiles that lie beneath.
We have numerous approaches when it comes to roof cleaning as it can be a sensitive area and one of concern for the client, as not everyone wants pressure applied to their roof as potential damage is a worry and rightly so as not all roofs are eligible for pressure washing. We will always discuss and assess the needs of the roof and our clients before choosing our approach, so if you would like a roof where Santa would be proud to park his sleigh don’t hesitate in calling today!
Why is it important to have my roof cleaned ?
There’s two main reasons to have your roof cleaned, firstly the aesthetic appearance, secondly and slightly more important is the function of the roof. Now like anything a nice clean vibrant roof will really be pleasing on the eye but the longevity and function are absolutely paramount. The most common problems we see on roofs due to porous roof tiles and cold damp weather conditions is a large build up of moss and lichen growing, sometimes to the point of no visible roof tiles.
This is a huge problem as moss/lichen is a living organism and continues to grow and expand, it can also damage and remove the protective paint layer on roof tiles and can also grow under the tiles causing them to lift, break and allow water to infiltrate.
Another problem with moss coverage is that it holds water, becoming extremely heavy and also not allowing the roof to drain off correctly, over time this can damage tiles and decimate the cement joints along the ridges and hip sections causing loose unsafe tile. Another commonly seen problem is large clumps of moss making it’s way into the guttering and blocking Downpipes thus creating further problems!
So what is the solution ?
We have many ways to clean and restore a roof and each method will be chosen depending on the condition of the roof, the tile in question and the desires of our client.
Some roofs are very strong and durable and in this case if a lower level roof we may opt to stand on and pressure wash, providing the pitch is safe. We will never opt to stand on a full height roof, as firstly it’s unsafe and very unprofessional and secondly our insurance does not permit this. Always be sure to challenge the company’s approach before agreeing to a clean
Our approach to full size house roofs
We always use a scaffold tower access where applicable, as it’s more cost effective for our client than a full scaffold but in some cases that may be needed. We will then either use an extendable flat surface cleaner at low pressure, providing the tile is durable enough or a high temperature steam with very little to no pressure. If it’s a frail tile we always recommend a post treatment of biocide to protect and prevent moss regrowth after this process.
Scrape & biocide
Even though we fully assess the roofs ability to undergo a pressure or steam clean, some clients simply do not want that approach used on their roof and that is totally fine and understandable. In these circumstances we would opt to use extendable scrapping tools, we have different moulds to match the profile of each tile so we can remove as much moss as possible.
We would then further clean with a wire brush, this will leave the roof looking 80% better but there will still be lichen & moss spores ingrained on the tile, so we would then apply a coating of biocide which is a fungicide that will penetrate the tile and over a period of 6-12 months will kill of all remaining bio mass spores and continue to clean and protect the roof for 3-5 years depending on location as factors like damp areas with high trees and whether it’s north or south facing will contribute to its longevity
Maintenance
After the biocide fades, if you should ever notice any sign of moss algae resurfacing a further application of biocide will remove and protect for another long period of time and will prevent the need to ever have to undergo a huge restoration process again.
"Great job by Nicky and the team. We needed the roof deep cleaning as we had a large build up of moss which was becoming a problem. They did the house roof, garage roof and also a flat roof extension plus they cleaned the gutters, soffits and windows as part of the price. They worked hard, hardly stopping for a break. Always on time, polite and friendly. The work was done well and to a good standard. I would happily recommend and would use them again."
Ruth McSweeney
Checkatrade