Roof Cleaning & Moss Removal in Chichester, West Sussex

Why roofs grow moss, algae and lichen

Roofs are the shadiest, dampest surface on most homes — north-facing slopes especially — and that is exactly what moss, algae and lichen need to take hold. Spores settle in the grooves of tiles and slates, hold onto moisture, and slowly spread into a thick green or black layer. Here on the West Sussex coast it happens faster: the salt and sand carried on the sea air around West Wittering, Bracklesham and Selsey hold damp against the roof and feed the growth.

Left alone, moss thickens, traps water and lifts the edges of tiles. That standing moisture is what eventually leads to damp, frost damage and blocked gutters — which is why a clean roof is preventative, not just cosmetic.

Soft wash vs pressure — and why safety matters

The single most important thing in roof cleaning is not to use high pressure. A pressure washer can crack tiles, blast off the protective surface, dislodge ridge tiles and drive water up underneath where it does real harm. Instead we use two gentle methods, matched to the roof:

• Chemical-free steam cleaning — heat and low pressure lift moss and algae from delicate tiles and slates, with no harsh chemicals.
• Soft washing — a low-pressure treatment that kills and lifts organic growth without touching the integrity of the roof.

It is the same principle we bring to render, brick and cladding across our soft washing work: the right method for the material, never one tool for everything.

Our process and biocide treatment

Every roof is a little different, but the approach is consistent:

1. We inspect the roof and check the tiles, ridges and gutters first.
2. Heavy moss is removed carefully — by hand and with low-pressure methods, never aggressive scraping.
3. The surface is soft washed or steam cleaned to lift the remaining algae and lichen.
4. Finally we apply a certified biocide treatment to disinfect the roof and slow regrowth, so it stays clean far longer.

For stubborn, established growth we often pair low-pressure soft washing with chemical-free steam — clearing what is already there gently, then locking in a certified biocide so it stays clean for far longer.

Roof types — tile and slate

We clean concrete and clay tiles, natural and fibre-cement slate, and the older, more fragile rooftops common around Chichester’s period and listed properties. Older roofs are exactly where high pressure does the most damage, so the gentle steam and soft-wash methods come into their own — cleaning the surface back without risking the tiles.

The risks of leaving it

A mossy roof is not only an eyesore. Trapped moisture accelerates frost damage, fallen moss blocks gutters and downpipes and causes overflow, and persistent damp shortens the life of the roof. Clearing it early — and keeping it clear with a biocide treatment — is an affordable, environmentally friendlier alternative to the costly remedial building work that neglect can lead to.

Areas we cover

We provide roof cleaning right across Chichester and the harbour villages, and out across the wider coast: Chichester (PO18, PO19), West Wittering, East Wittering, Bracklesham, Birdham, Itchenor and Selsey (PO20), as well as Bognor Regis (PO21, PO22) and Emsworth (PO10) on the Hampshire border. Not sure if you are in our patch? Just give us a call.