How to remove moss from a roof 

Thank you for posting this really helpful video

Another top video! You're a very safe man, I've seen a lot of idiots Doing these sort of jobs and I just can't handle the lack of common sense!

another great video

Great video as usual just doing our roof now after 60 years of buildup suprisingly free of moss compared to some modern houses - not using a scaffold but one of the roof hook type ladders - the ones the hook over the apex of the roof to keep the ladder steady have found they are pretty good and a bit safer than standing on the tiles and also reduces the chance of tile breakage by spreading my 200lb load over a larger area! Quoted £1500 from a local builder - did it myself for £15. I think you should have mentioned the danger of breaking older style concrete tiles with the rough sandy coating i have found after 50 years can be quite easy to crack depending on the weight of the person on the roof especially if your are standing on them , thats why i use a roof hook lladder and also the danger from older asbestos tiles scrubbing them in the wind and getting asbestos dust in your lungs - nasty!

I’ve just come across this video, moved to an older property and the porch is covered. Luckily window above which I can reach below. Excited to give it a good clean. :)

Very good, Darren, us Lancashire folk allus gerrit done. Good job, me owd mucker!

great vid mate!

I highly reccomend if possible using a harness and a point to hook said harness to.

Ive just cleaned my roof but i can get away with working at a low height as i live in a bungalow. Ive used soda crystals to kill all off, then brush off lose bits. I then hose the roof down to get into the crevices of the tiles and now it looks like new again. I have the same problem my bungalow doesn't get alot of light due to where its facing and a great big tree in the back garden.

What do you spray the moss with,excellent video by the way as always,my own house has white pebble dash with moss in parts how do you suggest cleaning without knocking off too many pebbles thx

Excellent work 👍

Hi Darren. Cleaning Moss from a roof with a pressure washer is quick and leaves a good looking finish. However you run the risk of damaging tiles and getting water into roof space! It's also bloody dangerous. Just my personal opinion...

Nice work, hate cleaning moss. I have improvised before if I can't get on the roof with a scraper attached to a paint roller extension bar. It expands to well offer 3 meters. You can swap to a brush to clean up. What's going on with that ridge tile, is that incorporating a vent?

Excellent job Ulty! NoAxe

Do these type of tiles have asbestos in them? I heard the ones from the 70's do!

Only problem is that even after applying a moss killer, moss will probably return within about 3 years. A longer term solution is to remove the ridge tiles, fix a strip of zinc flashing then re-fix the ridge tiles over this "flashing". Rain will pick up zinc ions that are toxic to moss and algae. An alternative is to fix bare copper lightning conductor tape (25 x 3 mm) at the ridge. Copper is toxic to moss and algae too and works in the same way as the zinc. If you want to match an existing, lichen covered roof with an extension roof by encouraging lichen (far less damaging than moss) to grow, dissolve some bi carbonate of soda and spray that over the roof. This gives lichen an ideal alkaline environment. (P.S. Mum was a Lancashire lass.)

What tiles are the best tiles to choose when doing a new roof, that do not allow moss to grow on them in the first place?

Good video as always :)

Hi Darren just out of curiosity how much would you charge for this type of work ? I know this was a while ago 😂 And also how many 5L bottles did you go through to stray the roof , thanks keep up the good work 👍

I see so many people cleaning roofs with a pressure washer. I do various cleaning work but this is something I won't do. Its not only dangerous but I think it can be damaging to the roof. People go for the quick fix though and take a chance!

I ordered the Marshall Pro roof scraper a month ago, never received the goods, doesn’t reply to any messages! The tool maybe good but Pete Marshall cannot be relied on to send you the tool, people should know this

Hi, I've renovating my first house, mostly by myself but I need to employ a roofer to fix a couple of holes and replace a ridge tile in my roof, plus clean the moss off. He has asked me to get hold of scaffolding as he has no contacts in my area. Do I need it up to ridge height or just gutter height as in your video? Thanks!

Hi Darren, great vid thanks - what's the point of the scaffold (rather than say, a cat ladder?) Is it more a case of having it there incase you fall? Also, do you know the name of this particular tile-type?,As I've recently done my Nana's roof and it took an eternity, with my trying various methods along the way but unable find a quick way to get it off (about 3x the amount of moss over a 4bed bungalow!) I'm determined to 'invent' a tool to drastically speed up the process in future. Thinking a roadsweeper-style brushhead on an electric motor, but it's early days yet...

Very helpful vid👍👍

Can this method be used on an asbestos garage roof? I've got a load of moss on mine and want it removing then the roof sealing. I don't want the brush to release asbestos fibres though. Thanks.

Brilliant vdo as always. Do you do all these diy vdos at your own property?

That's only half a job. What about the moss growing in the joints of the tiles? I always make sure that that's scraped out using a paint scraper and wire brush. Everyone has different ways of doing things, I suppose. What's the best biocide to use for after treatment, by the way?

Hi, do you know if there is any way to remove the white bleaching/staining on roof tiles caused by boiler condensate?

I just had to clean my guttering and drains due to moss build up, A good 80kgs of wet dirty filled roof moss, Same problem, House faces the wrong way and never gets the sun. Unfortunately i cant get access and the landlord hasnt got back to me. Its a pain in the... If you ask me.

Great job although I'd recommend a cherry picker to be ultra safe as even a dry roof can be slippery. Maybe a colour paint would give the roof a new look too though not sure about tile paint.

The best way to clean moss from your roof . One handful of costic soda to the gallon and spray with a garden sprayer or water can with the spout then just leave it the weather will do the rest for you . Your roof will soon be like new . Just do not try to walk on the wet roof as it will be very slippery.

Hi mate. What sprayer are you using? And which sprayer do you recommend for someone who is just starting up? Thanks.

A lot of health and safety talk there chez , i am surprised you did not have a high viz jacket and hard hat on..... : ) )

Got to put a thumbs up its the exact same way we clean roofs.n1.

The best way is to spray roof in the summer with Algicide, the winter weather will clean it like new. Next summer check it over and apply a breathable water repellent. Clean the gutters out. No damage from power washer & less chance of moss regrowth now the pores/capillaries are lined.

whats the moss killer you sprayed on mate? is it biocide you put down? algoclear

Is there a safe point on the tiles to walk without breaking them? Thanks.

Do you have a Pa1 & Pa6a spraying certificate Darren?

Unless you clean the miss out of the gap between the underlock and overlock of the tiles the moss will just bloom out in no time.

That is the sort of video that appeals to me mate, not alot of effort but alot of "brownie points" from her indoors! Did you fit the plastic end caps on your gable end/roof joint ? Sorry for the terminology but I noticed that your neighbour had a sand and cement mix joint whereas you have the plastic capping. If you did do it and you have to replace or service it in the future can I please request a "How to"? I am seeing them more and more but I never see it being fitted and wondered if it could be a DIY job. regards. N.

Aww bother! If on;y I'd seen this a day ago I would have done it this way :D I used a pressure washer and it worked well, though cleaning up all the moss that had been blasted everywhere was irritating.

Also, be aware for any asbestos materials too.

Hi how often should moss be cleaned off a roof

I had a so called professional who used a pressure washer on my roof. A week later the local authority had to clear out blocked drains of the whole street from the roof debris washed down. I was told I would be charged for the work. Waiting for the bill.

Nice job on the moss removal. I would of taken that chimeny up another 6 courses whilst i was up there. 👀🦆

If you are using the roof for water harvesting, like we do, for topping up the garden pond, and plant watering, beware of what chemicals that you are adding to the roof, or isolate the take off pipe, until the roof has been washed many times by natural rainfall.

Since i can't go on my bungalow roof for safety reasons i just stand on a ladder with an extendable pole with a wirebrush taped on. I blocked up the drain pipes with water and chunks of moss and when i unblocked them i got drenched. It was funny though.

What moss remover do you use?

Have you considered using copper roof tape after cleaning the roof? It releases copper ions that create an invisible barrier, deterring moss and algae growth for years. You can google Anti-moss copper roof tape to find a good local supplier. I bought my copper tape from Homemerce and it is very effective, no more moss.

What is/was your general profession?. You know so much :D

What is the product sprayed on the roof

Have you found new roofs gain far more moss than old slate and rosemary tiles etc

If you really wanna get rid off the moss, you must try the anti-moss tape from Homemerce! Once forever!

Nothing wrong with a ladder and ridge ladder we use wire brush (and remove all moss) and treat with the number one moss killer/cleaner Algoclear six months later the roof looks brand new

Personally I wouldn't be using those toxic chemicals as it can't be good for the local wildlife. I'd rather just clean the roof a little more often.

I'm a roofer once roof has had pressure washer .you are in trouble .takes years off your roof tiles get damaged and more worn cement on ridge tiles gets damaged .wire brush roofing trowel hard broom spray sealent your done

i dont like it when people use a chemical jet wash ,ruins the coating of the tiles and increases risk of fractures in extreme weather change

it would be better to tret the mos to kill it before u remove it ur only spreading it all over the roof

Easy when moss is damp

Wrong! Never walk on concrete tiles especially old ones. That is NOT heavily mossed. I deal with roofs you can barrel see the tiles on and they have to be scraped carefully. We use extension poles with shaped scrapers and work from the edges.

I thought Elton John sorted this problem in your song.

Where is your harness lol?

Hire a professional..... it's on them

Get on roof, get hold of moss, remove it. Saved you all 3 minutes. Next week how to put your shoes on.