Clay tile roof before-and-after moss removal and cleaning by White Horse Roofing Services, Oxfordshire

Roof Cleaning · Oxfordshire, Berkshire & the Cotswolds

Roof Cleaning, Moss
Removal & Soft-Wash
Across Oxfordshire.

Heavy moss and biological growth wrecks tiles, blocks gutters and shortens roof life by years. We remove it manually, treat the roof with a soft-wash biocide, and — where suitable — apply a protective coating that keeps growth off for years.

Get Your Free Quote 07522 468971

No high-pressure damage · £1M public liability · Same-day surveys

Established 2017

1,500+ Jobs Completed

15-Yr Workmanship Guarantee

£1M Public Liability Insurance

Checkatrade 9.78/10

The Service

What roof cleaning is,
and who it's for.

Moss, algae and lichen do more than make a roof look tired. They hold moisture against the tile surface, freeze and thaw through winter, and progressively degrade the cementitious surface of concrete tiles. Chunks break off gutters, block downpipes, and cause the exact overflows that lead to fascia and wall damage.

White Horse Roofing carries out roof cleaning, manual moss removal, soft-wash biocide treatment and protective coating across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and the Cotswolds. We do not high-pressure wash — the damage it causes to tiles far exceeds the cost of doing the job properly.

Who it's for

Homeowners with a visibly moss-covered roof — clumps in the gutters, green streaking down the tiles, black algae staining. Owners preparing a property for sale who need the roof to present properly. Landlords with tenant reports of overflowing gutters that turn out to be full of moss.

When it's needed

When moss coverage is visible from the ground, when gutters are repeatedly blocked by fallen material, or when tiles are showing green or black streaking. Ideally treated before winter, when frost cycles in wet moss cause the most damage to the tile surface.

Why professional

Roof access at height, chemical handling of soft-wash biocides, and the discipline not to reach for a pressure washer. High-pressure cleaning strips the surface of concrete tiles, removes the granule coating from slate, and forces water under the tiles into the roof structure — a common cause of leaks after DIY jet-washing.

What Happens If Ignored

The cost of leaving it
until next winter.

Untreated moss shortens the life of concrete tiles by 5 to 15 years by degrading the surface coating. Fallen moss blocks gutters, causing the overflow that rots fascias and stains walls. On slate roofs, algae and lichen etch the surface and make the roof look dramatically older than it is. On heritage properties, uncontrolled biological growth can damage lime pointing and stone tiles.

Common problems we see

Heavy moss growth clogging gutters and downpipes
Algae and lichen holding moisture against the tile surface
Loose tile granules from surface degradation and freeze-thaw
Streaking, staining and general appearance failure

Mistakes to avoid

×Jet-washing the roof — strips tile surface, forces water under tiles, guarantees leaks
×Chemical treatment without manual removal — dead moss stays on the roof and continues to hold water
×Skipping the gutter clear-out after moss removal — every downpipe blocks within a fortnight

Our Process

Five steps. No day rates.
No surprises.

Survey

Roof condition assessed for moss coverage, tile condition and any repairs needed before cleaning. Existing gutter condition noted.

Fixed Quote

Written quote covering scaffold or tower, manual removal, soft-wash treatment, gutter clear and (optional) protective coating — fixed price.

Manual Removal

Moss physically removed by hand — never with high pressure. Debris collected as it comes off, not washed into the gutters.

Soft-Wash Treatment

Approved biocide applied to the whole roof surface, killing residual spores and preventing rapid re-growth.

Gutter Clear & Optional Coating

Gutters and downpipes cleared and flushed. Where suitable, a protective coating applied to slow future growth. Written workmanship warranty issued.

What You Get

Specific benefits.
No vague claims.

Every point below is something we do on every job — not a marketing line. Ask us at the survey and we'll show you exactly how.

No Pressure Damage

Manual removal only — never high-pressure washing that damages tiles.

Longer Roof Life

Removing moss protects the tile surface from freeze-thaw degradation.

Gutters Cleared As Standard

Every roof clean includes gutter and downpipe clear — no post-job overflow.

Soft-Wash Biocide

Approved treatment kills residual spores and slows re-growth for years.

Optional Protective Coating

Where suitable, a coating that keeps the roof visibly cleaner for longer.

Fully Insured

£1M public liability on every job.

In Detail

The specifics —
materials, methods, situations.

Our cleaning method

Step 1 — Manual moss removal by hand and with soft plastic scrapers, working from ridge to eaves. Moss is collected as it comes off the roof, not washed into the gutters where it will cause the next blockage.

Step 2 — Soft-wash application of an approved biocide (sodium hypochlorite or benzalkonium chloride based) at low pressure across the whole roof surface. Kills remaining moss spores, algae and lichen at root level.

Step 3 — Full gutter and downpipe clear including a water test to confirm free flow. Optional application of a protective coating where the tile type and condition make it worthwhile.

Why we don't jet-wash

High-pressure jet-washing is a fast way to make a roof look clean and a fast way to damage it permanently. On concrete tiles it blasts off the surface coating, exposing the aggregate underneath and shortening the tile's life. On slate it strips the mineral finish. On any roof it forces water up under the tiles and into the underlay — a common cause of leaks that first appear months later, well after the cleaner has gone.

Protective coatings — when they help

Roof coatings work well on sound concrete tiles that are clean but ageing — they replace the lost surface coating and slow future moss re-growth for 5 to 10 years. They do not work on failing tiles, natural slate, or Cotswold stone, and we will not apply a coating where it is not appropriate. We advise honestly at survey stage.

Related services

Roof Cleaning available in

Not sure if we cover your postcode? Ask us

FAQ

Everything homeowners
ask us about roof cleaning.

Something not covered? Call 07522 468971 and we'll answer it directly.

How much does roof cleaning cost?+

Typical semi-detached: £450 to £750 for manual moss removal, soft-wash treatment and gutter clear. Larger detached properties £750 to £1,400. Optional protective coating £8 to £15 per square metre depending on tile type.

How often should a roof be cleaned?+

For most properties, a full clean every 5 to 10 years is sufficient — with soft-wash-only maintenance every 3 to 5 years to keep spores at bay. Properties surrounded by trees may need more frequent attention.

Will roof cleaning damage my tiles?+

Not the way we do it. Manual removal and soft-wash biocide will not damage sound tiles. What damages tiles is high-pressure jet-washing — which we do not use. If your tiles are already failing, we will tell you at survey rather than proceed with a clean that will accelerate their decline.

How long does the treatment last?+

Soft-wash biocide typically keeps a roof visibly clean for 3 to 5 years. A protective coating (where suitable) extends this to 5 to 10 years. Full re-growth to a visibly mossy state usually takes 7 to 15 years depending on the roof and surroundings.

Do you clean heritage Cotswold stone roofs?+

Yes — with particular care. We use manual removal and low-strength biocide only, and we do not apply coatings to natural stone. Cotswold stone develops a natural patina that is part of its character; the aim is moss removal, not restoration to a factory finish.

Do you offer emergency roof cleaning call-outs?+

Yes. For storm damage, active leaks and make-safes across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and the Cotswolds, call us and we will aim to get a surveyor to you the same day. Emergency temporary works can usually be carried out on the first visit so the property is watertight before a permanent repair is scheduled.

Is the quote free?+

Yes for owner-occupied properties. For homes you have not yet bought there is a £100 pre-purchase survey fee — fully deducted from the final quote if you go ahead. Every quote is fixed price, in writing, itemised and never a day rate.

What guarantee do you offer?+

Full re-roofs carry a 15-year workmanship guarantee. Flat roofs carry a 10-year workmanship guarantee. Repairs are covered by a written workmanship warranty appropriate to the scope. All work is backed by £1M public liability cover.

How do payments work?+

A deposit secures your slot in the diary. The balance is paid by bank transfer on completion. On larger projects we offer sensible stage payments so you are never paying ahead of the work delivered.

Which areas do you cover?+

Oxfordshire, Berkshire and the Cotswolds — including Oxford, Abingdon, Didcot, Wantage, Witney, Reading, Newbury, Cirencester and Faringdon. If you are close to the edge of that radius, call us — we can usually help.

Ready to sort it?

Book a same-day survey
and a fixed-price quote.

Family-run, fully insured, and backed in writing. Every quote is fixed price — no day rates, no drift. Call us or send a few details and we'll be in touch today.