Roof cleaning
Roof cleaning & Moss Removal across Lancashire.
Roof gone green and patchy with moss? JWF clears moss and soft-washes tiled, slate and conservatory roofs for homes across Lancashire, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and Cheshire. We don't jet wash roofs — we soft wash them, which cleans without smashing your tiles or forcing water under them. Based in Burnley since 2011.
Roof moss removal
Moss off, then treated so it stays off.
Moss looks harmless until you understand what it does. It holds water against the tiles, blocks the gaps that let the roof breathe, washes grit down into the gutters, and in a hard frost the trapped water expands and lifts or cracks tiles. Left for years, a mossy roof ages far faster than a clean one.
We scrape and clear the moss by hand from the surface, then apply a biocide soft-wash treatment that kills the spores at the root. That second step is the bit that matters — clear the moss without treating it and it's back within a season. Done properly, the treatment keeps working for months after we've left.
Every roof clean includes
- Full moss clearance from tiles and ridges
- Biocide soft-wash treatment to kill spores at the root
- Gutters cleared of the moss and grit that falls during the job
- Valleys and flashings checked while we're up there
- A heads-up on any cracked or slipped tiles we spot
- Fixed price agreed before we start — no surprises
Soft wash roof cleaning
What is soft washing — and why it matters on a roof.
Soft washing cleans a roof with low pressure and a specialist biocide solution rather than a high-pressure jet. The treatment does the work, not brute force. It kills moss, algae and lichen at the root and lifts the staining without ever blasting the surface — so the tiles, the bedding and the waterproofing underneath all stay intact.
It's the right method for almost every domestic roof. The results aren't always instant — treated moss continues to die back and weather off over the following weeks — but it's far kinder to the roof and the finish lasts much longer than a pressure wash ever would.
The treatment does the work. A jet wash just does the damage.
— Soft wash, not pressure washWhy we don't jet wash roofs
Two ways to clean a roof. Only one is safe.
If someone quotes you to "pressure wash" or "jet wash" your roof, be careful. High pressure strips the protective coating off concrete tiles, forces water under them, and can crack or dislodge tiles outright — turning a cosmetic job into a leak.
What we do
Soft washing
- Low pressure — no risk to tiles or bedding
- Biocide kills moss and algae at the root
- Keeps working for months after we leave
- Protective tile surface stays intact
- No water forced under the tiles
What we don't
Pressure washing a roof
- Strips the protective coating off tiles
- Can crack, chip or dislodge tiles
- Forces water under tiles — leak risk
- Moss grows straight back without treatment
- Cheap now, expensive later
What we clean
Roof tile, slate & conservatory roof cleaning.
Different roofs need a slightly different approach, but the soft-wash principle stays the same. The surfaces we clean most:
Concrete & clay tiles
The most common pitched-roof type — moss cleared and treated, surface left intact.
Slate roofs
Natural and man-made slate cleaned with low pressure that won't delaminate the slate.
Conservatory roofs
Glass and polycarbonate conservatory roofs cleaned inside and out, plus the frames.
Rendered & pebbledash walls
Soft-wash treatment for green, algae-stained render — same method, vertical surface.
Garage & outbuilding roofs
Flat and pitched garage roofs, often the worst for moss because nobody looks at them.
Commercial roofs
Units, schools and retail premises — surveyed and quoted for safe access first.
Roof cleaning prices
How much does roof cleaning cost?
Roof cleaning is priced per property, not per hour — it depends on the size and pitch of the roof, how much moss there is, and access. We survey it first and give you a fixed price before any work starts. As a guide:
Guide prices only — your exact price is confirmed after a survey, before any work starts. Booking a roof clean with gutters or fascias at the same time usually works out cheaper than separate visits.
Roof & gutter together
Is roof cleaning necessary? Usually, yes.
A clean roof isn't just about kerb appeal — though it does add years to how a house looks. Clearing moss stops the grit that blocks your gutters, protects the tiles from frost damage, and keeps the roof doing its job. Because the moss we clear falls straight into the gutters, roof and gutter cleaning is the natural pair — most people book them together.
Gutter Cleaning
Clear the moss and grit the roof clean drops in — vacuumed from the ground.
Learn more& Fascia Cleaning
Bring grey, algae-stained fascias and soffits back to white.
Learn morePressure Washing
Drives and patios — the surface jet washing actually suits.
Learn moreWindow Cleaning
Pure-water rounds, four- or eight-weekly, no contract.
Learn moreWant a roof and gutter quote together? Send us your address and a photo.
Get a Quote →Where we cover
Roof cleaning across Lancashire & beyond.
Burnley is home, but our vans cover roof cleaning and moss removal right across East Lancashire and out into Greater Manchester, Cheshire and West Yorkshire. Not listed? Ring anyway — we're probably nearby.
FAQs
Roof cleaning questions, answered.
How much does roof cleaning cost?
For a typical home, roof cleaning with moss removal and soft-wash treatment usually starts around £250 for a terrace, £350–£550 for a semi, and £550–£900 for a detached property. Conservatory roofs are £80–£150. We survey the roof and give you a fixed price before any work starts — never an hourly rate.
What is soft wash roof cleaning?
Soft washing cleans a roof using low pressure and a biocide treatment instead of a high-pressure jet. The treatment kills moss, algae and lichen at the root and lifts the staining without blasting the tiles, so the surface and waterproofing stay intact. It's the safe way to clean almost any domestic roof.
Is roof cleaning necessary?
For most homes, yes — eventually. Moss holds water against the tiles, blocks the gutters with grit, and can crack tiles when trapped water freezes. Clearing and treating it protects the roof and stops a cosmetic problem turning into a repair. If your roof is heavily mossed, it's worth doing.
Do you jet wash or pressure wash roofs?
No — and you should be wary of anyone who does. High pressure strips the protective coating off concrete tiles, can crack or dislodge them, and forces water underneath, which risks leaks. We soft wash instead: low pressure plus a biocide treatment that's far safer and lasts longer.
How long does roof cleaning last?
A proper soft-wash treatment keeps moss and algae at bay for several years, though it varies with how shaded and damp the roof is. North-facing and tree-lined roofs green up faster. Treated moss also continues to die back and weather off over the weeks after we've finished.
Do you remove the moss or just treat it?
Both. We physically clear the existing moss from the tiles first, then apply the biocide treatment to kill the spores so it doesn't grow straight back. Clearing without treating is a false economy — the moss returns within a season.
Do you cover my area?
We cover Burnley, Blackburn, Preston, Darwen, Rossendale, Macclesfield, Cheshire, Huddersfield and across Greater Manchester. If you're nearby but not listed, send your postcode and we'll let you know.
Get a roof cleaning quote.
Send your address and a photo of the roof if you can — it helps us gauge the moss and the pitch. We'll survey for safe access and send a fixed price back within 24 hours.
Quote in 24 hours
JWF Window Cleaning — roof cleaning & moss removal across Lancashire, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and Cheshire.