Roof Cleaning in Northampton
Moss, algae, and lichen build up on roof tiles over years. You stop noticing it because the change is gradual, until you look at a neighbour's freshly cleaned roof and realise how bad yours has got. We clean roofs across Northampton and the wider county using a biocide treatment that kills growth at the root and keeps your roof clear for up to five years.
What Happens If You Leave Moss on Your Roof
Moss holds moisture against the tile surface. Over months and years, that moisture works its way into hairline cracks, and when winter arrives, it freezes and expands. Tiles crack. Mortar between ridge tiles crumbles. Water finds a way into the felt and timber below.
The weight adds up too. A thick layer of wet moss on a full roof can add hundreds of kilograms of load that the structure was never designed to carry. Gutters clog faster because every rainfall washes loose moss into the channels, which leads to the overflow and damp problems we see on blocked-gutter callouts.
The longer you leave it, the more expensive the eventual repair. A roof clean now is a fraction of what a re-tiling or structural repair costs later.
How We Clean Roofs
Every roof clean starts with a site survey. We visit the property, assess the tile type, check the ridge mortar, and look at access options. We also ask to inspect your loft space before any work begins. Checking the condition of the roofing felt from underneath tells us whether the roof is suitable for cleaning and flags any existing issues that need attention before we start.
This matters because different roof tiles need different treatment. Some concrete tiles have a factory-applied laminate coating that protects against water absorption. Others don't. Clay tiles behave differently to slate. Using the wrong cleaning method on the wrong tile type causes damage that wouldn't have happened if the roof had been left alone. We're Lantra certified for roof cleaning, which means we've been formally trained in the correct techniques for each tile type rather than guessing.
Once the survey is done, we remove the bulk of the moss, lichen, and algae from the tile surface by hand. This is careful work. We avoid dislodging tiles, we don't force debris into gaps, and we clear everything from the property when we're finished.
Then we apply a professional-grade biocide treatment across the entire roof. This is included in every quoted price. The biocide penetrates into the tile pores and kills the remaining spores and root systems that you can't see from the surface. Without this step, moss grows back within months. With it, your roof typically stays clear for three to five years. In many cases, roofs we cleaned over five years ago still look well maintained today.
Why We Don't Pressure Wash Roofs
Pressure washing strips the protective surface layer from tiles. On concrete tiles with a factory laminate coating, that coating is the tile's main defence against water absorption. Blast it off with a pressure washer and the tile becomes more porous, absorbs more moisture, and grows moss faster than it did before the clean. On tiles without a laminate, pressure washing roughens the surface and creates more texture for moss to grip onto.
High-pressure water also gets forced under tile overlaps and into the felt beneath. On older roofs, it cracks tiles that are already weakened by frost damage. You end up with a roof that looks clean for a few weeks, then deteriorates faster than if you'd left it alone.
Our biocide method works with the tile rather than against it. The treatment soaks in, does its job over the following weeks, and leaves the tile surface intact. That's why the results last years rather than weeks.
What's Included
- Full site survey including loft inspection to check felt condition
- Tile type assessment to determine the correct cleaning method
- Manual moss, lichen, and algae removal from all tiles
- Ridge tile and mortar inspection
- Professional biocide treatment included in every quote (lasts 3 to 5+ years)
- All debris cleared from the property
- Gutter clearance included (gutters fill with moss during a roof clean)
- Lantra certified team, trained in safe roof cleaning methods
- Full insurance cover (£10m employers' liability)
Bundle With a Full Exterior Clean
Most customers who book a roof clean also need the gutters cleared and the fascias and soffits cleaned. The whole roofline tends to deteriorate at the same rate, so it makes sense to sort everything in one visit. We can quote for a combined package that covers the roof, gutters, fascias, and windows together.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does roof cleaning cost in Northampton?
Our roof cleans start from £895. The final price depends on the size of the roof, the type of tiles, how heavy the moss buildup is, and access requirements. We'll visit the property and give you a fixed price before any work starts.
How long does a roof clean take?
Most residential roofs take one to two days. Larger properties or roofs with heavy moss buildup may take longer. We'll confirm the timeline when we quote.
Is roof cleaning safe for my tiles?
We're Lantra certified for roof cleaning, which means we've been trained to identify tile types and use the correct method for each one. Some tiles have protective laminate coatings that need preserving, others don't. We assess the tile type during our site survey and inspect the loft space to check the felt condition before starting any work. We don't use high-pressure washing on roof tiles because it damages the surface and shortens tile life.
How long does the biocide treatment last?
Typically three to five years depending on the property's location, surrounding trees, and how much shade the roof gets. North-facing roofs in sheltered positions tend to need retreatment sooner. We have customers whose roofs still look clean more than five years after their last treatment.
Do you clean all types of roof?
We clean concrete tile, clay tile, and slate roofs. If you have a flat roof, thatched roof, or an unusual material, get in touch and we'll tell you whether we can help.
What Our Customers Say
“I recently hired this window cleaning company and couldn't be happier with the results. The team was professional, on time, and extremely thorough. My windows look crystal clear, and they took great care to keep everything clean and tidy while they worked. Excellent service at a fair price — I'll definitely be using them again and highly recommend them to anyone looking for quality window cleaning!”
“I couldn't be happier with the service! Tony is professional, punctual, and incredibly thorough. The windows are absolutely spotless — he paid attention to every detail, including the frames, and left everything tidy when finished. It's clear they take pride in their work, and it really shows in the results. Friendly, reliable, and reasonably priced.”
“The Window Cleaning Company did an amazing job — my windows are spotless, and my conservatory, gutters, and fascia/soffits look great too. Super friendly, professional, and reliable. Highly recommend for any cleaning jobs!”
“I had the Window Cleaning company come out to me to clean our windows and conservatory roof. The team were smart dressed well and came out the same day. I highly recommend.”
“Excellent service, I'm continually amazed by the results. Every time, my windows are sparkling clean and streak-free, it's like looking through a fresh new window! The team is consistently professional, pleasant, and efficient. I can't recommend them enough. They do a fantastic job, and their service is top-notch.”
“An honest, genuine and hard working team. No job too big or small. Very professional and worth every penny, get the job done with no hassle. Highly recommended. Plus, supporting local businesses is always a bonus.”
“Professional and friendly and hardworking guys who provided a quick and reasonably priced service, for a job that would have taken me ages! They cleaned our conservatory and the results were THAT good, we booked them to clean all of our windows the following week. I have already recommended them to all of our friends and family.”
“I have been using this company for the last 15 years and can honestly say that they have never missed a month, they are reliable and trustworthy.”
“We use this company for our shop for the last 6 years and can confirm they are reliable and trustworthy.”
“Great service. Knowledgeable and professional.”
“Really lovely people! They did an amazing job, such a big difference from what everything looked like before!”
“Just had all windows cleaned very happy with results. Very professional and friendly. Would highly recommend using this company.”
Get a Roof Cleaning Quote
Tell us about your property and we'll arrange a site visit to give you a fixed price.