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Tiled roof half cleaned, showing moss-covered tiles beside the cleaned section

Roofs

Roof Cleaning in Kent

Moss removal and softwash treatment, with the method chosen to suit the covering.

Get a free quoteCall 07865 728204
  • 5.0 from 41 Google reviews
  • Fully insured
  • Specialist equipment
  • Kent & surrounding counties

Roof cleaning is the job where method matters most. A concrete interlocking tile, a clay peg tile, a natural slate and a fibre cement sheet all respond differently, and the wrong approach can cost far more than the clean.

We assess the covering first, then choose between manual moss removal, softwashing with a biocide, or a combination. We do not treat high pressure washing as the default for roofs, because on many coverings it is not appropriate.

What the job includes

  • Roof and access survey before quoting
  • Manual moss removal and scraping where the covering suits it
  • Softwash biocide application to treat algae, lichen and remaining spores
  • Gutter and downpipe clearance of dislodged moss
  • Ground level clear-up of fallen debris
  • Powered access or safe working at height as the site requires

Page last reviewed 30 August 2026 by the UP Exterior Cleaning team.

Roof coverings we work with

  • Concrete and clay interlocking tiles
  • Plain clay tiles
  • Natural and fibre cement slate (assessed individually)
  • Conservatory and outbuilding roofs
  • Flat roof surrounds, fascias and adjoining render

Why it is done this way

What you get with our roof cleaning

  • Method matched to the roof

    Scrape, softwash, or both — decided after looking at the covering, its age and its condition, not before.

  • Safety-first access

    We use powered access platforms and safe working-at-height methods rather than improvising off a ladder.

  • Treatment, not just removal

    Scraping takes the bulk off. A biocide treatment deals with what is left in the surface and slows how quickly it comes back.

  • Gutters cleared afterwards

    Moss removal always sheds debris. Clearing the gutters is part of finishing the job properly.

Our process

What to expect

  1. Step 1

    Survey

    Inspect the covering, pitch, condition and access, and agree what is realistic.

  2. Step 2

    Set up access

    Position powered access or safe working platforms and protect the ground below.

  3. Step 3

    Remove and treat

    Take off the bulk of the moss, then apply biocide to the cleaned covering.

  4. Step 4

    Clear gutters and site

    Clear dislodged material from gutters, valleys and the ground.

Why different roofs need different methods

A concrete interlocking tile has a granular surface that can be stripped away by pressure; a clay peg tile is harder wearing but more brittle underfoot; natural slate can delaminate; fibre cement needs treating with real care. The covering, its age and its condition decide the method — not a standard process applied to every property.

That is why the survey comes first. We look at the pitch, the state of the tiles, the valleys, the ridge and how we can safely reach it before quoting.

What happens after the moss comes off

Manual removal takes off the bulk, but the roots and spores left in the surface are what bring the growth back. A biocide treatment deals with those, and the treated residue breaks down and weathers off over the following weeks.

Moss removal always sheds debris, so gutters, valleys and the ground below are cleared as part of finishing the job. A roof clean that leaves the gutters packed with moss has not been finished.

Treatment top-ups and the lifecycle

A cleaned and treated roof typically holds its finish for a few years. Shade, tree cover and aspect are the biggest factors — north-facing slopes under trees regrow fastest.

A periodic top-up treatment is far cheaper and far less disruptive than repeating the full removal, so it is worth keeping an eye on the roof rather than waiting until the moss is thick again.

Access and safety

Working at height is the part of this job most likely to go wrong. We use powered access platforms and safe working-at-height methods rather than improvising off a ladder, and we are fully insured for the work.

Ground conditions matter too. Where a platform cannot be positioned safely, we will say so and quote an alternative rather than take a risk on your property.

Recent work

Roof Cleaning — recent projects

  • Clay tiled roof after cleaning, clear of moss and lichen
  • Close view of a tiled roof being cleaned from an access platform
  • Roof cleaning carried out from a powered access platform in Kent

Google reviews

Rated 5.0 from 41 Google reviews

Verified feedback from homeowners, landlords and businesses across Kent and surrounding counties.

5.0

41 reviews on Google

Read all 41 reviews
  • “What a fantastic job Rez did on our Sandstone patio and v old brick patio and paving around the house. The results were amazing stupidly I forgot to take before pics. The communication was great and v prompt to get out to quote. Would highly recommend we are really pleased with how nice everything looks. Thanks Rez great job.”

    Julie Hazzard

    Patio cleaning · 3 months ago

  • “Worked very hard! Very polite, considerate to neighbours and we were delighted! We still have people asking if we got a new driveway! Would totally recommend. See you next year!”

    Wendy Shorts

    Driveway cleaning · 2 months ago

  • “Excellent gutter cleaning service. Prompt & punctual. Gave detailed report on work completed and on the condition of our guttering and downpipe. Will definitely use this service again and will recommend to others.”

    Phil B

    Gutter cleaning · 6 months ago

  • “I can’t believe the change to the patio and paths surrounding the house! It has been transformed from a dull and depressing monotone with all kinds of dirt and growths in a matter of hours. Rez was a pleasure to have around, very polite and professional.”

    John Watson

    Patio & path cleaning · 4 months ago

  • “Rez was professional and polite, the whole job was done in a day at a very competitive price. No mess at all, an excellent result, I am very happy. Will certainly have him back next year and would certainly recommend Under Pressure to anyone who needs cleaning done. Thank you.”

    Jennifer Lucas

    4 months ago

Questions

Roof Cleaning FAQs

Can you clean a roof without damaging the tiles?

Yes, when the method suits the covering. Manual moss removal and softwashing are far gentler than high pressure water, which can strip the granular surface off older concrete tiles and force water under laps.

How do you remove moss from a roof?

Usually by lifting the bulk off by hand or with a scraper, then applying a biocide to kill the remaining growth and spores. The treated residue weathers off over the following months.

How often should a roof be cleaned?

There is no fixed interval. North-facing roofs and those under trees may need attention every few years; open, sunny roofs can go much longer. An annual look at the gutters usually tells you.

Do you use high pressure on roofs?

Only where the covering genuinely suits it, and it is not our default. On most domestic roofs we recommend manual removal and softwashing instead.

Will the roof look clean straight away?

After manual removal, yes, in large part. Where biocide is doing the work, the roof continues to improve over several weeks as the treated growth breaks down and weathers away.

How long does roof cleaning take?

Most domestic roofs are a one-day job. A large or heavily mossed roof, or one needing powered access repositioned around the property, can run into a second day. We confirm the expected time with the quote.

Will the moss grow back?

Eventually, yes — moss is airborne and a roof under trees or facing north will always be a good host. A biocide treatment slows it considerably, and a top-up treatment every few years keeps a cleaned roof looking cleaned without repeating the full removal.

How long does a roof treatment last?

Typically a few years, depending on shade, tree cover and the covering itself. Open, sunny roofs hold their finish longest; shaded roofs under overhanging trees come back quickest.

Do I need scaffolding for roof cleaning?

Usually not. We work from powered access platforms or, where the covering and pitch allow, treat from a safe working position. Scaffolding is only suggested where there is genuinely no other safe way to reach the roof.

Does roof cleaning damage tiles?

Not when the method is matched to the covering. Damage usually comes from high pressure water on older concrete tiles or from walking a brittle roof. We assess the covering and its condition before deciding how to work.

Where we work

Roof Cleaning across Kent and surrounding counties

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Prefer to talk? Call 07865 728204 or 01622 910555, or email contact@underpressure-kent.co.uk.

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