Who should have their roof cleaned? (is my roof suitable)
Before we even talk about having a roof cleaned you’re probably wondering if your roof is suitable for roof cleaning?
Its worth stepping back and looking at the bigger picture.
Roof cleaning sits in a slightly unusual place when it comes to property maintenance. It’s not a repair, it’s kind of a cosmetic improvement but not like painting, and it’s not something you probably think about having done regularly — until one day they look up and realise just how much moss and staining is on your roof quietly built up over time
.
So the real question isn’t “Can a roof be cleaned?”
It’s
“Is roof cleaning actually the right thing for
my home?”
For many properties, the answer is yes —
when it’s done for the right reasons, on the right roof, and with the right expectations.
Roof cleaning as part of sensible home maintenance
Most homeowners we speak to accept that things like gutter clearing, window cleaning even keeping a driveway and patio clean are simply part of looking after a house.
Roof cleaning sits in that same category, just on a longer timeline
Over the years, roofs naturally collect moss, algae, and organic staining. In the Solihull, Warwickshire and the West Midlands, this is especially common because of:
- Damp weather
- Shaded elevations
- Nearby trees
- Cold North-facing roof slopes
Left untouched for long enough, that organic growth doesn’t just affect how a roof looks. Moss holds moisture, slows water run-off, and can increase stress on tiles during freezing conditions due to moss holding water
Where a roof is still fundamentally sound, cleaning can be a preventative maintenance step — helping the roof dry properly again after rain and slowing further moss and organic staining building up.
Is your home actually suitable for roof cleaning?
Suitability isn’t about just the age of your roof. It’s about the condition that is currently in.
A roof that’s a good candidate for cleaning is usually one that:
- Is still performing properly with no water ingress or leaks
- Isn’t already suffering from visible structural issues like sagging or bowing
- Has tiles that are ageing normally, rather than breaking down, cracking or crumbling
Roof cleaning works best when its completed with the intention of maintaining a roof that is already serviceable, not trying to rescue something that’s reached the end of its life.
I understand this might be a little vague, but below we have a general guide for your home based on the age and type of tiles that are on your roof.
Homes that are generally suitable for roof cleaning in Solihull
| Roof tile type | Typical age of the home | What usually matters most | General suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage / plain clay roof tiles | Pre-1960s (older, character properties) | Clay tiles are often extremely durable; issues are more likely beneath the tiles (felt, battens, fixings) | Often suitable, provided the underlying structure is sound |
| Interlocking clay roof tiles | 1960s–1990s | Good surface integrity; moss build-up is common but not usually a sign of failure | Very good candidates for gentle, controlled cleaning |
| Concrete roof tiles (modern) | 1980s onwards (common across much of the West Midlands, Monkspath, Hillfield) | No widespread cracking, lifting, or surface breakdown | Generally very suitable as part of normal exterior maintenance |
| Concrete roof tiles (post-war estates) | 1950s–1960s (common in parts of Shirley, Kings Heath) | Surface coatings often worn; tiles may be nearing the latter part of their lifespan | Condition-dependent and requires careful assessment |
This isn’t about green-lighting or ruling out roof cleaning your home from a distance.
It’s about understanding the whole picture.
Some older roofs clean beautifully, and some newer ones shouldn't be cleaned before underlying issues are resolved, if cleaned at all.
A proper assessment always comes first.
The type of homeowner roof cleaning is best suited for
When writing this article, I was unsure if this section should be included as to some it may be a bit controversial but I truly considered this an important area to understand before having your roof cleaned... So here we go.
Just as important as the roof itself is the mindset and understanding you have before having your roof cleaned.
Roof cleaning delivers the best outcomes for people who see it as part of looking after a home — not as a cosmetic cover-up or a guarantee against future issues.
Here's what we have found after completing many year of roof cleaning projects around Solihull and Warwickshire
| Type of homeowner | How they view maintenance | What they understand | Why roof cleaning works for them |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintenance-minded homeowners | Homes need ongoing care, not just repairs when something fails | Cleaning is about preservation, not perfection | They treat roof cleaning as sensible upkeep |
| Homeowners with heavily moss-covered roofs | Years of moss can hide the true condition of tiles | Removing moss reveals what was already there | They’re comfortable with visibility, not surprises |
| Reasonable, informed homeowners | Contractors don’t intentionally create defects — they may uncover them in the process | Cleaning shows the roof honestly | They value transparency over promises |
| Long-term thinkers | Prevention matters | Cleaning may be the final step or part of a wider plan for roof | They appreciate early visibility of small issues |
| Homeowners wanting clarity | They’d rather know than guess | A clean roof gives a true picture | They see information as empowering, not alarming |
Roof cleaning to reveal a “blank slate”
Roof cleaning can remove sometimes decades of moss and provides what can best be described as a blank slate “no pun intended”
Heavily moss-covered roofs hide details. Tile condition and current mortar pointing that can’t be properly seen beneath years of growth.
In the vast majority of cases roof cleaning reveals exactly what homeowners hope for: the roof is sound, looks dramatically better, and no further work is needed.
In some cases, it reveals small, isolated issues — a cracked tile here, a bit of missing mortar there. Not necessarily because cleaning caused them, but because they were always present and simply hidden through years of weathering and moss build up.
For the right homeowner, that isn’t bad news. It’s just a consideration for future maintenance as part of responsible home ownership.
When roof cleaning makes the most sense
If, as you read this you’re thinking
“My roof isn’t failing, it's just very mossy but it clearly needs some attention — and I want to look after the house properly”
…then roof cleaning is often an appropriate next step.
A reputable contractor will always assess the condition of the roof first, explain clearly the process and the pros and cons. Then where cleaning isn’t suitable say so
When expectations are realistic and the roof is suitable for roof cleaning can be genuinely transformational — both visually and as part of long-term maintenance.
If you are interested in how much roof cleaning costs, please check out our completely free instant estimator tool. You don’t have to input any personal details to check out the price.
Alternatively, check out our other roof cleaning resources below
