Soft Wash Roof Cleaning
The specialist method for cleaning UK tiled roofs. Low pressure, professional biocide, and a 5-year regrowth protection guarantee. From £250.
What is soft wash roof cleaning?
Soft wash roof cleaning is a low-pressure cleaning method that uses professional biocide chemistry instead of mechanical force. The biocide — typically a sodium-hypochlorite-based solution applied at controlled dilution — penetrates the tile surface and kills moss, algae and lichen at the spore level.
Crucially, it works on the cause of biological growth, not just the visible symptom. Where pressure washing removes what you can see and leaves spores behind, softwashing kills the spores and lets rain wash the dead biological matter away over the following weeks.
What's included in every job
- Free pre-job survey and fixed-price quote
- Manual moss scraping where required
- Soft wash biocide application across the entire roof
- Gutter clearance of fallen moss debris
- Final rinse and tidy-up
- Before/after photo report
- Written 5-year regrowth protection guarantee certificate
- £5m public liability insurance cover throughout
How long does it take?
Most domestic roofs are completed in a single day by a two-person team. Larger detached properties, commercial buildings, or roofs needing manual moss scraping before treatment may take two days. We give you a definite timing in your quote so you can plan around it.
How long does it last?
A professional softwash treatment typically keeps a roof visibly clean for 4–5 years. Properties with significant tree cover or in damp coastal/woodland areas may want a top-up biocide treatment every 2 years to extend that — we offer this at a discounted maintenance rate.
Pricing
| Property type | From |
|---|---|
| Bungalow | £250 |
| Terraced (mid) | £275 |
| Semi-detached | £350 |
| Detached | £450 |
| Large / period property | £700+ |
| Commercial | POA |
Final price depends on roof size, pitch, complexity and moss coverage. Regional variations apply — see our UK cost guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is soft washing safe for my tiles?
Yes. Softwashing uses low pressure (less than mains tap pressure) combined with professional biocide. Unlike jet washing, it doesn't strip tile coatings, dislodge tiles or force water under the felt. It's the method recommended by major tile manufacturers including Marley, Redland and Sandtoft, and is safe for clay, concrete and slate.
Will it damage my plants or the surrounding garden?
The biocide we use breaks down into salt and water within hours. We pre-water surrounding plants before application as an additional precaution and rinse any overspray immediately. In 10+ years and thousands of jobs, we've had no issues with garden plants, ponds or pets.
Do I need to be home during the work?
No. We just need access to an outside tap and we work entirely externally. Most customers go to work as normal and come home to a transformed roof.
What about scaffolding?
For most properties, no scaffolding is needed. We use telescopic softwash lances that reach the roof from ground level, and our own roof ladders for closer work. For complex or particularly tall properties we may use a cherry picker or scaffold tower — included in the quote price, never added later.
What's your guarantee?
5-year regrowth protection written guarantee against significant moss, algae or lichen regrowth. If your roof needs re-treatment within the guarantee period, we re-treat free of charge.
How does this compare to pressure washing?
Pressure washing is faster and cheaper upfront but causes real damage and only delivers short-term results. See our full softwash vs pressure washing comparison for a detailed breakdown.
Get a free, no-obligation quote
Most quotes returned within 4 working hours. No pressure, no obligation.
Ready to bring your roof back to life?
Free quotes · 5-year regrowth protection · No deposit required