Regular cleaning and maintenance of your roof is important. It helps to extend the lifespan of the roof, prevent leaks and water damage, and improves your home's energy efficiency, and its appearance. Paying for professional roof cleaners is a cost-effective way of maintaining your roof's integrity, but if you're wondering exactly how much you might have to pay, read on for our comprehensive guide.
Roof cleaning can help to protect your roof against damage, reducing the need for costly repairs in the future. Moss and algae damage roof materials over time. They trap moisture, which will degrade the roof tiles and eventually can seep into the underlying roof structure. When left untreated for too long, the damage can be significant. If the wooden rafters or decking start to rot, extensive repairs or even a roof replacement could be needed.
A roof that is coated in dirt, grime, and organic growth will always bring down the aesthetics of your home. Cleaning your roof will make the entire property look more attractive and improve its kerb appeal.
This is especially important if you are planning to sell your home. First impressions definitely matter, but also buyers will want to see that the roof is in good condition and unlikely to have any damage.
Regular maintenance and cleaning of your roof can extend its lifespan. Small problems can quickly become larger problems if they are not nipped in the bud. Removing moss and grime retains the integrity of all of the roofing materials, ensuring that your roof meets, or exceeds, its intended lifespan.
Clean roofs are more reflective than dirty roofs, and this can improve the energy efficiency of your home. This is because the more reflective a roof is, the less heat it absorbs from the sun's rays. This results in lower energy use to cool the building, and a smaller carbon footprint for you.
Cleaning your roof will also reduce the need for more extensive repairs or a roof replacement, and this is more environmentally friendly. The production and installation of roof materials is energy-intensive, far and above that used for cleaning.
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to roof cleaning costs. Several factors will influence how much it will cost to clean your specific roof.
The cost of roof cleaning is usually calculated per square metre. The more square metres your roof has, the more it will cost to clean.
The pitch will affect accessibility, which will also impact the roof cleaning cost. If the pitch is steep, extra safety precautions and, potentially, equipment like scaffolding will be needed. It will also take more time, which will increase the cost.
Roofs can be made out of a variety of materials, and some of these are simpler to clean than others.
Clay and concrete tiles are quite robust and can withstand harsher cleaning methods, including professional pressure washing. Because they are porous, however, they may require more extensive biocide treatment to remove moss.
Tile damage is a big risk with slate tiles. Although they are a hard and long-lasting material, they are also quite brittle. Soft washing or other gentle cleaning methods are usually required, which can be more expensive.
Asphalt shingles are less common in the UK, but they are an affordable and durable roofing material. Like slate, however, they will require gentler cleaning methods. Moss can also become deeply embedded and may require more extensive treatment.
Metal roofs are becoming more popular as a low-maintenance and environmentally friendly option. While they can be pressure washed, soft washing will prevent any dents in the material. Chemical removal of moss is generally effective on this material, although care should be taken to avoid any chemicals that could corrode the metal.
Specialist roofs like thatched or green roofs will require a careful professional assessment before cleaning. They have unique needs and concerns, and great care will need to be taken to preserve them. The cost of roof cleaning for these roofs generally brings with it higher costs because professionals with specific training will be needed.
Let's take a look at the average roof cleaning prices. We'll split it by roof cleaning method and then by the size of the roof, so you can get a decent idea of the cost range you'll be looking at.
The cost can vary significantly depending on a wide variety of factors, so these price ranges could be different from the reality of how much it will cost for you.
Manual cleaning is at the higher end of roof cleaning costs because it is both time and labour-intensive. It is one of the best ways of ensuring that your roof tiles don't get damaged, especially if they are a sensitive or older material.
This method will also usually include a biocide treatment for moss removal.
A pressure wash is a quick and effective method for getting your roof cleaned. It isn't suitable for all roof types, but it can work out cheaper than a manual roof cleaning service.
Read our post "How to clean roof tiles without a pressure washer".
Soft washing is an efficient method for removing moss and other dirt, but without the risk of tile damage that comes with a pressure washer. It is a low-pressure water method that relies on chemical treatments to kill and remove moss.
For more detailed information check this post "What is soft wash roof cleaning".
Steam cleaning uses superheated water vapour to kill moss and other organic growth, and clean the roof surface. It is less damaging to fragile roof tiles than pressure washing, and is a chemical-free method of moss removal. The moss is killed by the heat, and can then be removed.
It is a specialised service and a roof cleaning machine is the most expensive to operate, so it does come at a higher cost.
Your roof cleaning project could incur additional costs, depending on the circumstances.
For more complex roof-cleaning projects, ladders may not be enough. If your roof cleaning requires the erection of scaffolding, this will add a considerable amount to the overall cleaning cost.
The average cost of scaffolding per day is £300-£500. If it is needed for a week, the cost is lower per day because it only needs to be erected once. The average weekly cost is £500-£800.
Cleaning your gutters is an important element of roof cleaning, that could add additional costs to the overall price. Clear gutters protect your roof because they ensure proper drainage and prevent excessive moss growth on the roof edges.
The cost of gutter cleaning can range from £50 to £300, depending on the size of your property.
If you are dealing with persistent moss and algae growth, preventative treatment can help to reduce how often you need a professional roof cleaner. It will cost extra, however.
One of the most common methods of preventing moss growth is to install a zinc or copper strip along the edges of the roof. Both of these will kill the moss and prevent future growth when their particles are oxidised by rainwater.
Copper is more expensive than zinc but does last longer. Including both materials and labour, installing zinc strips could cost anywhere from £300-£860, depending on the size of your roof. Copper strips could cost between £350 and £1,100.
Check out our post “How to clean roof moss”.
Once your roof has been cleaned, the natural colour of the tiles will show through. Often, this will be an attractive and welcome change. Sometimes, however, the tiles have worn enough that the final look is a little disappointing.
Roof painting can improve its appearance, and you can also apply a waterproof coating that will help to protect the roof from water and other types of damage.
The average cost of applying a roof coating, including the cleaning cost, will be £1,000-£3,000.
It can be tempting to clean your roof yourself, and it is entirely possible to do so. In many cases, however, cleaning your own roof is inadvisable.
The most glaring problem with cleaning a roof as a DIY job is safety. Working on top of a ladder, scraping moss, and using chemicals and water brings with it the risk of slips, falls, and chemical injuries.
A professional company will have undergone all the necessary training in correct safety protocols and will have access to high-quality safety equipment. This way, they can ensure that their technicians are kept safe.
While you might save money on your roof cleaning cost by doing the job yourself, you run the risk of racking up a much larger bill by accidentally causing damage to the roof.
There are a variety of ways in which this could happen. Scraping too hard could damage the roof tiles or even lift them, as could pressure washing at too high a pressure or with the wrong technique.
A professional roofing company will have access to industry-quality equipment that is more likely to be effective at roof cleaning, and they will have the necessary training and equipment to handle it without causing roof damage.
Pressure washing, for example, is an effective technique for roof cleaning, but should be done by a professional. A pressure washer is a powerful piece of equipment that can cause injury and can easily damage roof tiles if handled incorrectly.
If your roof needs cleaning, we can help. Our comprehensive roof cleaning services ensure that your roof is fully cleaned, helping it to look its best and last longer. Using premium-grade equipment and cleaning products, our experienced technicians will assess the current condition of your roof, the materials used, and the type of moss or dirt that needs removing, before selecting the best method for the job.
If you're wondering about the roof cleaning cost, we will always provide you with an upfront quote detailing all the work needed and its price. So you will know from the very beginning how much you will be expected to pay. If anything unexpected comes up that could affect the overall cost, we will discuss this with you fully before going ahead.
How much does roof cleaning cost? The price can vary depending on a wide range of factors, including the size of the roof, its accessibility, and the methods used to clean it. Regular maintenance of your roof will usually save money in the long run, however, because it reduces the likelihood of expensive repairs being needed and increases the overall lifespan of the roof.
