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Advice on roof moss and softwashing
This is where Apex Softwash shares practical advice on looking after your roof. Moss, algae and lichen are common reasons a roof looks tired. However, the way you deal with them matters, because some popular methods last only a few weeks.
Our posts explain what each approach does and what to avoid. They also say when a job is better left to a professional using low-pressure softwash and a suitable biocide. As a result, you can decide with the facts in front of you.
More help for homeowners
You will also find answers to questions homeowners across Kent, Surrey, East Sussex and West Sussex ask us most often. For deeper reading, while the blog stays short and practical, our roof cleaning cost guide and the comparison of softwash versus pressure washing sit alongside the blog.
You can see what we offer on the services page, because it explains each job. You can also check whether we cover your town on the coverage page. When you are ready, request a free quote.
Each post is written for homeowners rather than trade experts, so the language stays plain. We explain the problem first, because knowing why moss grows helps you choose a sensible fix. Then we cover costs, risks and the questions worth asking a roofer, while avoiding jargon wherever we can.
New posts appear here as we publish them, and older posts stay online. If you cannot find an answer, send us a question and we may cover it in a future post.
If you are weighing up a DIY job, read the post on moss removal first, because it covers the risks of working on a roof. Working at height is risky, so safety comes before savings. For that reason, we also explain when to hand the job to a professional.
Latest posts
How Often Should Gutters Be Cleared?
Once a year is a sensible minimum for most homes. Here is when to clear gutters, what blocked ones do to a house, and how to check them safely from the ground.
Read more →Black Streaks on Roof Tiles: What to Do
Dark streaks on roof tiles are usually algae or lichen, not dirt. Here is what causes them, why jet washing makes things worse, and how to treat them safely.
Read more →Can You Claim Roof Cleaning on Insurance?
Roof cleaning is routine maintenance, so home insurance rarely pays for it. Here is what insurers exclude, what may be covered, and how to check your policy.
Read more →Lichen on Roof Tiles: Should You Treat It?
Lichen is the crusty orange, grey or black growth on roof tiles. Here is what it is, whether it harms the roof, and when treating it makes sense for your home.
Read more →Do You Need Scaffolding to Clean a Roof?
Scaffold is not always needed, but safe access always is. See what HSE work-at-height rules say, how roof cleaners reach the tiles and when scaffold helps.
Read more →How Often Should You Clean Your Roof?
Most roofs need a proper clean every few years, not every year. Here is how to judge the timing for your own home, and the signs that mean it cannot wait.
Read more →Is Roof Moss Really Bad for Your House?
Light moss is usually harmless, but a thick mat can hold water, block gutters and wear tiles out. Here is how to tell which one you have and what to do next.
Read more →Is Softwash Safe for Your Roof Tiles?
Softwash uses low pressure and a biocide instead of force. Here is when it suits clay, concrete and slate roofs, what can still go wrong, and what to ask first.
Read more →Listed and Conservation Area Roof Cleaning
Cleaning the roof of a listed building or a home in a conservation area? See when consent matters, where the guidance is unclear and why to ask your council.
Read more →DIY roof moss removal: what really works
An honest look at removing roof moss yourself: which methods work, which ones quietly shorten your roof's life, and the point where the job stops being DIY.
Read more →