How do you remove lichen from roof tiles without damaging them?

The safest way is a soft wash: a low-pressure application of a cleaning solution that kills the lichen so it releases from the tile, followed by a gentle rinse. High-pressure blasting can strip the surface of older tiles, crack them, and push water under the roof, so we avoid it on fragile tiles.

Why lichen is tricky

Lichen bonds tightly to the surface of terracotta, clay and concrete tiles. Trying to blast it off at high pressure usually means taking some of the tile surface with it, which leaves the tile more porous and quicker to grow lichen again.

How a soft wash works

1. Inspect the roof. We look at the tiles, capping and valleys before starting so you know about any existing cracks or loose tiles.
2. Apply the treatment. A cleaning solution is applied at low pressure to break down and kill the lichen.
3. Let it work, then rinse. Most growth lifts and rinses away on the day. Stubborn lichen can keep fading over the following weeks as the dead growth weathers off.
4. Protect it. If you want, we finish with a moss and lichen prevention treatment to slow it coming back.

Old or irreplaceable tiles

If your roof has older tiles, imported tiles or tiles you can’t easily replace, tell us when you ask for a quote. Soft washing is the right method for these roofs because it keeps foot traffic and pressure to a minimum.

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