Can old terracotta or clay roof tiles be cleaned safely?

Yes. Older terracotta and clay tiles clean up very well with a soft wash, which avoids the high pressure that can crack brittle tiles or wear away their surface. We inspect the roof first and walk it carefully, so tiles from the 1950s to the 1990s, and imported tiles that can’t easily be replaced, are treated gently.

What to expect

Terracotta and clay tiles are tough, but decades of sun make them more brittle and the surface more porous. That porous surface is exactly where lichen and moss take hold.

• Colour comes back. Most terracotta roofs return close to their original colour once the growth and grime are gone.
• Some marks may remain. Very old lichen can leave faint rings where it etched the surface. These usually fade further over the following weeks.
• Existing cracks show up. A clean roof makes cracked tiles and tired capping easier to spot. We’ll point out anything we notice.

Have spare tiles?

If you have spare tiles in the shed, let us know. It’s useful if a cracked tile is found during the clean.

Imported or rare tiles

Tell us when you request a quote. We’ll plan the job to keep walking on the roof to a minimum.

Related services: Roof Cleaning · Soft Washing · Moss Prevention Cleaning