Roof cleaning techniques
There are a number of different cleaning methods used to clean roofs. It's important to use the right tool for the job, to avoid causing damage to the roof. Choosing the correct method will lengthen the life of the roof and save you money.
Pressure washing
Pressure washing or power washing involves using a machine that blasts grime away with a highly pressurised water spray. We don't recommend pressure washing a roof. Applying too much pressure can lift, and cause damage to roof tiles.
Hand scraping
An alternative to is hand scrape and brush. This technique is carried out from ladders, and as the name implies, it is effectivley hand cleaning the roof tiles. Clumps of moss are scraped away with a specialist scraping tool or with a stiff brush. Hand scraping is usually combined with a chemical biocide treatment (soft washing) to prevent the moss and lichen growing back.
Soft washing
Soft washing is a roof cleaning method that uses a low pressure washing technique. A soft wash begins by applying a mixture made up of deturgents, bleach, algaecide and water. This gentle process works to dissolve thick dirt, grime, and other debris. The liquid solution will work its way into all the grooves and unreachable areas of the roof, killing moss and the bacteria that causes it. The chemicals are usually left overnight to work, before being gently rinses off with a low pressure water pipe.
At Tip Top Exteriors, we use a combination of hand scraping, followed by an eco-friendly biocide soft washing treatment. This allows us to take extra care when removing debris, ensuring we don't cause any damage and spot any areas in need of repair. Finishing with a biocide means we can guarantee your roof will remain moss free for years.