Clean roof - what is the best/safest method? Steam clean or wire brush

abbas5001

Hi

i am looking to have my roof cleaned as we have lots of trees next to us and the roof is covered in moss. I’ve read conflicting things from ‘roof specialists’ some say that steam cleaning the roof can damage the tiles while others saying using a wire brush doesn’t actually do very much in terms of cleaning and doesn’t improve the appearance of the roof. Just wondered what people’s thoughts are?

victor2

Is it purely a cosmetic exercise, or is the moss causing other issues?

If cosmetic, I wouldn't mind betting that some tile damage would be done by the people walking across the roof while cleaning it, and I'd be tempted to follow the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach.

Certainly when I've had anything done to my roof area, cracked or otherwise damaged tiles have beeen revealed and required replacing.

Edit: In the case of steam or wire brush, I would guess that properly done steam cleaning would be more effective.

Section62

victor2 said:

Is it purely a cosmetic exercise, or is the moss causing other issues?

If cosmetic, I wouldn't mind betting that some tile damage would be done by the people walking across the roof while cleaning it, and I'd be tempted to follow the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach.

Certainly when I've had anything done to my roof area, cracked or otherwise damaged tiles have beeen revealed and required replacing.

I tend to agree.  The moss is less likely to do damage than the people stomping over the tiles to 'clean' the roof.

abbas5001

victor2 said:

Is it purely a cosmetic exercise, or is the moss causing other issues?

If cosmetic, I wouldn't mind betting that some tile damage would be done by the people walking across the roof while cleaning it, and I'd be tempted to follow the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach.

Certainly when I've had anything done to my roof area, cracked or otherwise damaged tiles have beeen revealed and required replacing.

Edit: In the case of steam or wire brush, I would guess that properly done steam cleaning would be more effective.

Yes, the moss is not causing any issues. I would just like it removed and ‘clean’ the roof. I think I will just go with the steam cleaning as you Say at least no one will be walking all over the tiles 

twopenny

They will need to be on the roof to steam clean.
Forcing steam out to dislodge the moss would have to be from the top down so the lumps of moss go directly down. otherwise they would be forcing steam under the tiles and lumps of moss forced randomly into the air

The alternative is if they use a cherry picker which will be the pricier option.

Of course you will need to repeat every few years.

TELLIT01

Moss will regrow pretty fast in the conditions described.  Within a couple of years the roof will look much like it does now.  Do you really want to repeat a pointless exercise every few years?  We've had moss on our roof ever since we moved in over 35 years ago and it's done no harm.  I have once had to clear a blockage in the downpipe caused by moss build up, but that took literally 10 minutes of my time.

twopenny

It depends how bad it is I guess.
Moss grows on north and east sides of most roofs. If you look at others.

It's something that started happening when we insulated our lofts so the roof doesn't dry out like it used to giving ideal conditions.

FreeBear

What type of tiles do you have ?

Jet washing is pretty aggressive and can strip the top surface off some tiles. Not sure I'd want to use anything more than a stiff broom....

EssexExile

twopenny said:

They will need to be on the roof to steam clean.
Forcing steam out to dislodge the moss would have to be from the top down so the lumps of moss go directly down. otherwise they would be forcing steam under the tiles and lumps of moss forced randomly into the air

The alternative is if they use a cherry picker which will be the pricier option.

Of course you will need to repeat every few years.

Don't they have a long pole with a bend in the end, they can fire the steam downwards while standing below.

Personally though I wouldn't touch it, it's fine as it is.

twopenny

Not seen apole with a bend in it   
A young guy did a few bungalows here by climbing on with a hand tool. Did a great job which is why he got a repeat gig.
2yrs later they were not pristine and the idea went awol. I think the guy did too. Not much fun on a roof in the sun.

TELLIT01

If a contractor says they will walk on the roof do to the work my advice would be to tell them to 'do one'!