Roof Cleaning and Moss Removal in Bristol
Get a Free Quote
Our Services
Clean Roofs That Last Longer
Moss loves Bristol. Mild, damp weather and plenty of trees mean many roofs, especially north-facing slopes, end up covered in a thick green layer. It is not just a looks problem. Moss holds water against the tiles, lifts them as it grows, blocks gutters when it washes off and can lead to frost damage over the winter.
We offer roof cleaning in Bristol that removes moss and algae safely, without damaging your tiles. We clear the moss by hand, clean the surface with a gentle soft wash where suitable, apply a biocide treatment to slow regrowth and clear out the gutters at the end. While we are on the roof, we check for any slipped or broken tiles and let you know.
You get a clear written quote before any work starts.
Why Moss Is Bad for Your Roof
A little moss is harmless. A thick layer causes real problems over time:
- Holds moisture against tiles, speeding up frost damage
- Lifts tiles and lets wind-driven rain get underneath
- Washes into gutters and downpipes and blocks them
- Adds weight and keeps the roof damp all year
- Hides cracked or slipped tiles from view
- Makes a house look tired when you come to sell
Roofs in leafy parts of the city like Henleaze, Westbury-on-Trym, Redland and Fishponds tend to collect the most moss, because of the shade and falling leaves. Concrete tiles on 1930s and post-war homes hold moss particularly well thanks to their rough surface.
We do not jet wash roofs at high pressure. It can strip the surface off concrete tiles, force water underneath and shorten the life of the roof. Hand removal followed by a gentle wash and treatment is slower, but much kinder to your tiles.
Expert Advice
Moss, Algae and Lichen
Moss grows in thick cushions that hold water against the roof. Algae forms green or black staining, and lichen creates crusty patches that cling tightly to tiles. Each needs a slightly different approach, and all thrive on north-facing slopes and roofs shaded by trees.
Why Gentle Cleaning Matters
High-pressure jet washing can strip the surface from concrete tiles, force water under the roof and shorten its life. Hand removal followed by a low-pressure soft wash and a biocide treatment cleans the roof without damaging it. Asbestos cement roofs should never be cleaned this way and need testing first.
After the Clean
A clean roof makes it easy to spot slipped, cracked or missing tiles, damaged ridges and failing flashing. We report anything we find and clear the gutters, which are often blocked by moss washed off the roof.
How Our Roof Cleaning Works
A typical roof clean follows four simple steps.
- Moss removal: thick moss is carefully scraped off by hand, working with the tiles.
- Soft wash: where suitable, the roof is cleaned with a low-pressure wash.
- Biocide treatment: a treatment is applied to kill remaining spores and slow regrowth.
- Gutter clear: moss and debris are cleared from the gutters and taken away.
Roof Cleaning Across Bristol
We clean roofs right across the city, including Kingswood, Brislington, Knowle, Horfield, Bishopston and Filton.
If we find damaged tiles during the clean, we can repair them while we are there. See our tile roof repair and gutter repair pages for more.
Roof cleaning is part of our residential roofing services across Bristol and Bath.
Roof Cleaning Reviews From Bristol and Bath Customers
Our authenticity promise: we only publish genuine reviews from real customers, with their permission. Every review shown here will include the customer’s first name, their area, the work carried out, the date and where the review was left. We never write, buy, edit or pay for reviews.
Reviews from customers who have had roof cleaning work carried out across Bristol and Bath will appear here as jobs are completed. If we have worked on your roof, we would love to hear how it went.
Roof Cleaning FAQs
How often should a roof be cleaned?
Most roofs only need cleaning every few years. Roofs under trees or on north-facing slopes may need it more often.
Is jet washing bad for my roof?
High-pressure jet washing can damage concrete tiles and force water under the roof. We remove moss by hand and use a gentle low-pressure wash instead.
How long does the treatment last?
A biocide treatment slows moss and algae regrowth for a good while, but it does not stop it forever. Shaded roofs will see moss return sooner.
Will cleaning fix a leaking roof?
Not on its own. Cleaning removes moss, but if tiles are cracked or slipped we will tell you and can repair them. See our roof leak repair page.
How much does roof cleaning cost?
It depends on the size of the roof, the amount of moss and the access.
Is it safe to clean an old asbestos roof?
No. Asbestos cement sheets, common on garages and outbuildings built before 1999, must not be jet washed, scraped or broken. They should be tested first and handled under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Can roof cleaning disturb wildlife?
It can. Moss and gaps at the eaves can be used by nesting birds, which are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. All UK bat species and their roosts are protected by law. If bats are found, work stops and an ecologist is consulted, and a licence from Natural England may be needed.
Why Choose Us for Roof Cleaning
Cleaning a roof is easy to do badly. We take a careful approach that protects your tiles, and because we are roofers rather than just cleaners, we spot and fix problems while we are up there.
- Moss removed by hand, no high-pressure jet washing
- Biocide treatment to slow regrowth
- Gutters cleared as part of the job
- Roof checked for damage while we are up there