How much does roof cleaning cost?

Based on an average 4 bedroom detached home, the average price to clean a roof in the UK is between £1200 - £2500 in the UK. The price varies based on the cleaning method and accessibility of the property.

Information from LABC shows the average home size built in the UK since the 1930’s to today is roughly a 3 bedroom home. From our experience we have found the most popular homes that we clean have been 4 and 5 bedroom detached homes rather than flats, terrace or semi-detached properties.

Introduction to Roof cleaning

Roof cleaning is an essential part of home maintenance, but many homeowners don't realise the importance of it until their roof starts to show signs of wear and tear. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about roof cleaning to benefit both the home owner and the professional going out to clean roofs professionally and safely.

UK Roof cleaning price guide [2023]

The Different Roof Cleaning Methods

There are several methods for cleaning your roof, each with its own pros and cons. The most common methods include pressure washing, softwashing, and manual roof scraping.

Pressure washing involves using an engine powered machine with the pressure reduced to approximately 1500 psi that lifts the dirt, debris, moss from the roof tiles.  While this method can be effective, it can also be messy so often requires a lot of cleaning up but delivers some of the best and most satisfying instant results. 

In the UK we commonly have concrete, slate or clay based tiles. If they're in great condition they act as the perfect candidate for pressure washing. With a lot conflicting information online when it comes to pressure washing not being safe for roofs. It is more of an uneducated option for UK roof cleaning.

Unfortunately online a lot of American information has made into UK articles and information on the web.  Unlike in the USA where they have granular type shingles which is a roofing type suited strictly for soft washing or gentle brushing only. In the UK we very rarely have this type of roof, so pressure washing under the right conditions is one of the best methods.

Roof scraping for moss removal in the UK involves using a wired brush or a profiled scraping blade. This allows a professional to manually pull away loose dirt, moss and debris from your roof. This method is suited to almost all roofs and is recommended for roofs where the tiles are delicate up or in an older condition not suited for pressure washing. This method along with pressure washing is time consuming and both are very physically demanding on the contractor cleaning roofs.



Softwash roof cleaning involves applying a specialised treatment tailored to a roof that breaks down dirt and algae and organic staining. This method is best partnered as an after treatment to both pressure washing or roof scraping to safely sanitise and keep your roof cleaner for longer. The softwash solution treats the organic staining that pressure washing and scraping alone cannot remove. This is the finish step and really gets your roof as clean as it possibly can be.

Choosing the right roof cleaning method for your home?

The right method for you will come down to your budget and most importantly the condition of your roof tiles. Making sure not the damage a roof is very important. So a professional roof cleaner will identify the conditions of your underlying tiles before commencing work. This can be in the form of a pre work inspection. There are some amazing transformations when it comes to roof cleaning but this always does depend on the condition of a roof underneath all the moss and organic staining. 

Benefits of roof cleaning

In the UK regular roof cleaning has several benefits. First and foremost, it helps to prolong the lifespan of your roof. Dirt, debris, and algae can cause damage to your roof over time, leading to leaks and other costly repairs so by cleaning your roof regularly, you can prevent these issues from occurring and save money in the long run.

An often underestimated benefit of roof cleaning is that it can improve the energy efficiency of your home. A dirty roof can absorb more heat, which can cause your home to become warmer and more difficult to cool during the summer months. By cleaning your roof, you can help to reduce your energy bills and make your home more comfortable to live in.

When your roof is full of moss, especially in the roof valleys. It can cause issues in the loft space. We have seen 'Sweating' happening in loft spaces when homeowners insurance providers have identified the cause of this being due to poor roof water run off due to excessive moss and leaves being trapped on the roofs especially in the valleys and eves.

Popularising of green roofs and the added efficiency for your home

[Do not mix with roof cleaning]

It has been proven that green roofs can make a home more efficient and are actually very good for the environment which is awesome, something we are completely onboard with having designed the smartest systems that use significantly less water compared with traditional pressure washing.

We also want to protect the environment too as homeowners and professional cleaners. The impact of replacing a roof that is still in great condition has its impact on the environment by prematurely replacing tiles only adds to the volume of waste making it to the landfill. Many mossy or discolored tiles still have 40+ years more life before the need of replacement.

There is a difference between a specialist green roofing system fitted to a roof and a roof that has moss growth. On modern green roofing systems they are typically fitted with a special waterproof membrane that prevents water ingress and the roofs themselves have been structurally improved to cope with the extra weight. Having a traditional roof that is covered in moss is not the same as a green roof. Traditional clay or concrete tiled roofs are not designed to have excessive moss build up so it is recommended they are cleaned periodically.

Looking for a roof cleaning quote?

Using the handy price guide we have included in the article you will be better prepared when getting your roof cleaning prices. Also to the differences in prices based on the cleaning methods too. 

If you would like to get a quote from one of the professionals in our network of softwash equipment owners contact us using the form below