Moss and algae thrive on roofs across Hampshire, West Sussex and Surrey, especially on north-facing slopes and homes surrounded by trees. Left alone, moss holds water against your tiles, lifts them in frost and washes into gutters and downpipes. So how often should you actually clean your roof?
The short answer
Most roofs benefit from a full clean every 5 to 10 years. A professional biocide treatment every 2 to 3 years in between kills new spores before moss can take hold, which means full cleans are needed far less often.
What affects how quickly moss comes back?
- Shade and trees: damp, shaded roofs grow moss fastest.
- Roof pitch: shallow roofs hold water longer than steep ones.
- Tile type: textured concrete tiles give moss more to grip than smooth slate.
- Previous treatment: a roof treated with biocide after cleaning stays clean for much longer.
Signs your roof needs cleaning
- Green or black patches, or thick clumps of moss
- Moss falling onto paths, patios and conservatory roofs
- Gutters filling with moss and overflowing in heavy rain
- Tiles looking darker or patchy compared with neighbouring roofs
How we clean roofs safely
We remove moss by hand and with soft tools, using low-pressure rinsing only where it’s needed, so tiles and ridge mortar aren’t damaged. All debris is collected and taken away and the gutters are cleared at the end (here are the signs your gutters need clearing). We then apply a DDAC biocide to kill remaining spores, backed by our 2-year no-moss guarantee.
Not sure what state your roof is in? Our aerial roof inspection captures 4K drone images and video so you can see the condition of every tile before booking.
Need help with your property? Call 023 9200 6065, WhatsApp 07769 737673 or request a free quote. We cover Hampshire, West Sussex and Surrey, Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.