Jet washing roof tiles on house

DirectDebacle

What are others views on this and how else can we have the tiles cleaned,
moss removed etc. I dont fancy replacing my otherwise good but over 70 year old
roof tiles.

You've received good advice including that from the industry body you cite. non of it seems to suit you.

Strip existing tiles from the roof and clean them individually by hand.

While they are removed inspect and repair battens/felt as required.

Clean felt and have battens French polished.

Re-tile roof with original tiles.

HTH.

moneyistooshorttomention

Can I ask at this point re why people clean roofs at all? Its an idea I've never come across anywhere prior to my recent move to Wales. Since moving to this part of the country I can see that many roofs (including mine) are these concrete tiles (ie instead of slates). Hence I've been wondering whether roofs do need cleaning if its concrete tiles on them instead of slates or whether its just something that some people like to do.

I have noticed various neighbours either jetwashing or manually cleaning off the roofs and I can't see that its a job that actually needs doing and am wondering why people do it? if my roof was the slate I have been used to, then I definitely wouldn't bother...because I know slate ones don't need it. But I have no experience of concrete tile roofs, hence wondering why...

Can anyone enlighten me on this? Are people doing it just because they don't like having moss on the roof or does it actually NEED to be done, as the roof will suffer otherwise?

I'm guessing its a cultural taste in some parts of the country...rather than a necessity thing???

spannerzone

Seems like another clever way of extracting money from people that either don't know any better or believe what a door to door salesman tells them.

Marley certainly don't recommend you jetwash their roof tiles
http://www.marleyeternit.co.uk/Resources/Roofing-FAQs/Problems-and-maintenance.aspx

tired_dad

Had powerwash2 y ago. Looked nice for a few months then gradually returned to normal. Waste of money. Won't do it again.

macman

If you must do it, it needs to be done from above with the force directed downwards. That way, the tiles won't lift and water won't penetrate the loft space.
The cowboys doing this will simply do it from ground level or off a ladder with the jetwash aimed upwards, with the consequent damaging results.
The only parts of the roof that need to be cleared are the gullies and gutters.

moneyistooshorttomention

macman wrote: »

If you must do it, it needs to be done from above with the force directed downwards. That way, the tiles won't lift and water won't penetrate the loft space.
The cowboys doing this will simply do it from ground level or off a ladder with the jetwash aimed upwards, with the consequent damaging results.
The only parts of the roof that need to be cleared are the gullies and gutters.

That's how I've noticed it being done, by the extremely overpriced cowboys doing the rounds at the moment. I have a feeling they may not be doing this much longer......:cool:

I cant actually think of how it would be possible for someone to do it from above. Unless they had ladder or scaffolding or something that went up to a higher level than the roof concerned that is.

zaax

Mine get jet washed every time a heavy storm comes through

macman

You'd either need scaffolding, or at least a proper roof ladder to give access to the ridge to work down from. Which the cowboys won't bother with.

moneyistooshorttomention

Don't know about OP, but I've certainly come to the conclusion I won't be doing this ever then. Thanks all:T

This has quite cheered me up to know that a neighbour of mine who thinks they "know everything" clearly doesn't, as they have their roof cleaned at intervals:) Nice to have it confirmed that I do "know what I'm talking about" more than they do then...;) (they've been so busily telling me they are right about everything...that its good to have proof they aren't).

ey143

Not sure what the fuss is about. If you don't want to jet wash it, then don't. Not everyone cleans their footpath or paving slabs using a jet wash. It's personal preference and yes it can be a costly job.

I've never done it before and neither have my patents. However, whilst we have scaffolding up for renovation work, it was a thought since the roof looks tired and dirty. I haven't actually spoken to anyone about doing this only reading online about the risks. Might speak to the roofing association as they said there are alternatives .....