Roof cleaning not only serves aesthetic purposes, but it also extends the lifespan of your roof while preventing multiple costly repairs. If you’ve noticed moss, algae, or black streaks across your roofing, it might be time to consider a roof cleaning. But how much does roof cleaning cost?
Keep reading for a breakdown of the average cost of roofing cleaning services, what can affect the price you pay, the different roof cleaning methods, and other useful bits of information.
Roof Cleaning Cost Breakdown
Many factors can affect the final cost of roofing cleaning. Things such as:
can alter how much you will pay to have your roof cleaned. However, below, we have listed the average roof cleaning costs in the UK (using the hand wash method), so you have a better idea of what to expect.
| Property Type | Approx. Roof Size (M2) | Average Cost | Average Duration |
| Small house/bungalow | 60-80 | £250-£400 | 3-5 hours |
| Terraced house | £395-£495 | ||
| Semi-detached house | 80-120 | £495-£595 | 5-7 hours |
| Average size detached house | 120-160 | £595-£659 | 1 day |
| Large detached house | 180-250 | £750-£1,200 | 1-2 days |
| Commercial/large building | 300+ | £1,00-£2,500+ | 2-3 days |
Why Is Roof Cleaning Important?
It is easy to view roof cleaning as simply a job for aesthetic purposes, but this isn’t the case. A roof that has moss build-up and/or dirt and grime can lead to damage to the roof’s tiles. When not taken care of, this can result in damage that may need costly repairs.
So, although you might be apprehensive about spending the money on cleaning your roof, in the long run, you’ll save money on any damages that could have occurred from neglecting to clean it.
Take a look at our dedicated article, “The Importance of Roof Cleaning,” for more information on why you should clean your roof.
What Can Affect Roof Cleaning Costs?
Even if your house is built similarly to your neighbours’, no two roofs are the same. Because of this reason, every roof cleaning is priced differently and tailored to your exact needs and specifications
Roof Size
The main factor that can affect the cost of a roof cleaning is the size of your roof. In simple terms, the larger the surface area, the more it will cost. This is because more time, labour, and cleaning solutions will be required. Typically, roof cleaning costs are priced per square meter, so the bigger the roof, the more the service will cost.
Roof Pitch
Properties with steep roof pitches or multiple levels may require specialist equipment to access the roof safely. This may come in the form of scaffolding or a cherry picker, which will be an extra charge on top of the cleaning service.
Roof Material
The type of roof material your property has will dictate the type of cleaning method that needs to be used. The most common roofing material is usually concrete tiles or slate. With both of these materials, a pressure wash can be used, which is generally one of the most affordable options. However, if you have clay tiles, more care will need to be taken as they are fragile, meaning a hand clean may need to be used, which costs more.
Jump to average roof cleaning costs by roof material type.
Moss, Algae, And Dirt Build-Up
If your roof has been neglected, there’s a high possibility that it could be infested with moss or lichen. Depending on how bad the dirt/moss is on your roof, this can increase the time it will take to perform a thorough roof cleaning, therefore increasing the overall cost.
Wondering how to remove mould and algae from your roof? Take a look at our top tips.
How Are Roofs Cleaned?
There are several ways roofs can be cleaned, and this mostly depends on the type of materials you have on your roof. The most common methods of cleaning a roof are:
- Pressure washing
- Hand washing
- Soft washing
- Steam cleaning
It’s important to note that not all methods of cleaning will be suitable for all types of roofing materials.
| Cleaning Method | Average Cost Per M2 | Notes |
| Pressure washing | £5 – £12 | Not ideal on older or delicate roofs like clay |
| Hand washing | £8 – £15 | Gentle on roof tiles, more labour-intensive |
| Soft washing | £12 – £16 | Good for delicate roofs, not every roof will need this level of treatment |
| Steam cleaning | £9 – £13 | Eco-friendly, perfect for delicate roofs like clay |
Pressure Washing
Pressure washing uses a high-pressure washer to remove dirt more quickly. However, because of the high pressure, this is not suitable for every roof as it can dislodge fragile tiles.
Hand Washing
Hand washing is the most common roof cleaning method. The moss is first scraped away by hand, and then the roof is cleaned. Sometimes, this method involves a treatment to slow moss regrowth. It is gentler on tiles but is more labour-intensive, so it can cost more.
Soft Washing
Soft washing is one of the most expensive methods of roof cleaning. It is perfect for delicate tiles as it uses lower pressure and specialist treatments to clean the roof. However, not everyone will need this level of treatment.
Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning is where heat (steam) is used to remove the moss, algae, and dirt without relying on strong cleaning products. This method is used across delicate tiles that are at risk of being damaged by the other cleaning methods. However, it can take a while to complete and can be expensive.
Roof Cleaning From LD Roofing Services Ltd.
LD Roofing Services Ltd. have over 25 years of experience in the roofing industry. We provide all types of roofing services, including professional roof cleaning services.
Our roof cleaning team can help transform your current roof to improve its appearance, functionality, and health, no matter the material type. We will always perform a full risk assessment first to ensure the roof is structurally sound and identify any potential problems, such as broken tiles or lead rotting. From here, we will then be able to put together a comprehensive quote that documents every part of the roof cleaning and the cost.
For more information, please contact our team or view our dedicated roof cleaning page.