How to Clean Roof Tiles
How you should clean your roof tiles can greatly depend on the dirt or debris you’re dealing with and what type of tiles you have. In most cases, homeowners with traditional concrete or slate roof tiles will be trying to tackle moss or algae growth. It's also not not the easiest of DIY jobs - keep reading to find out what's involved.
Roof Tile Cleaning
Before you start looking at different options, you should always read your manufacturer’s guide and consult a roofing professional if appropriate. As tiles are crafted from different materials and feature different coatings, not every solution is suitable to every material.
Important: safety
Cleaning a tiled roof can be high-risk work. Tiles can be slippery, fragile and difficult to access safely, so you’ll usually need proper access equipment, edge protection, non-slip boots, gloves and eye protection. On steeper roofs, a safety line and harness may also be required. Never work alone and never rely on a standard household ladder - most accidents happen during access, not the cleaning itself. If the roof’s height or pitch makes safe setup difficult, pause and consider whether the job is suitable for DIY.
Disconnect Water Tanks and Clear Your Guttering
If you have your guttering system connected to a water storage tank, ensure that it is disconnected before you begin. Otherwise, any chemicals used while cleaning your roof tiles will find their way into your water storage.
You may also wish to clear your guttering system at this point. You can do this at ground level with a gutter brush. If your gutters easily fill with debris due to an overhanging tree, fit a gutter guard.
Remove Moss and Algae
If your roof has a severe build-up of moss or algae, the first step is to gently scrape away the larger pieces. When doing this, it’s important to ensure you don’t damage your roof tiles. You can buy purposely designed roof scrapers for this job and shouldn’t be tempted to use those designed for lawns, as these may damage your roof.
Once the thicker moss and algae is gone, you can use a simple garden sprayer to apply specially formulated moss and algae remover. These chemicals have been designed not only to kill the existing moss and algae but also to prevent future growth. What’s more, their acid-free formula means they won’t damage any coating on your roof tiles.
While applying the anti-moss and algae spray, make sure to work your back backwards from where it’s been applied. This means you won’t step onto a wet, treated tile while cleaning your roof tiles. So, you’re staying safe from slips and falls, but also not undoing your work! Once you’ve applied an initial coat, all you need to do is wait for it to dry.
Cleaning Dirt Off Your Roof Tiles (Without a Pressure Washer)
If you’re just dealing with ordinary dirt and debris, then our all purpose roof cleaner applied using a gentle garden sprayer as described above should work wonders to restore your roof to its former glory.
Many people use pressure washers to clean their roof tiles, however, this can do more harm than good, as the immense pressure from the water could damage your tiles or their coating. This is why we recommend using equipment such as a garden sprayer, or even a low-powered hose along with a gentle brush to carefully and safely clean each roof tile.
Be sure to be particularly aware of your surroundings and consider your footing when washing your tiles. This is the most dangerous part of cleaning your roof tiles, as this is when the roof is at its most slippery. Ensure that you use the recommended safety equipment and have a friend there to help you.
How to Keep Your Roof Tiles Clean
Once you’ve made the effort to clean your roof tiles, it’s important not to let all your hard work go to waste. Here are a few tips on how to keep your roof in top condition.
Clean More Regularly
Naturally, the easiest way to keep your roof tiles clean is by doing it more often. This has plenty of benefits beyond its appearance however, as keeping your roof free from dirt, debris, moss, or algae is important for maintaining its structural integrity. Issues like moss or algae can cause moisture to seep into your roof space, potentially leading to problems such as condensation, rot, or mould.
Keep an Eye on Your Roof
You should regularly inspect your roof tiles for problems such as cracks, broken tiles, or gaps where old tiles have fallen away. This is vital as these nooks and crannies are the ideal breeding ground for moss and algae, which if left unchecked could cause you serious and expensive problems in the long-term.
Install Copper or Zinc Strips
If you experience serious levels of moss, algae, or lichen build-up on your roof tiles, you could consider installing copper or zinc strips along your roof. These strips contain chemicals that are poisonous to plant life, and when it rains, the water absorbs these chemicals, washing away any existing intruders and preventing new moss or algae from growing.
Where to next?
Keeping on top of roof maintenance, like doing a tile clean, is the easiest way to prevent major problems. But if your roof tiles are beyond saving and damaged, then take a look at our ranges below or explore related guides.
