Moss on a Chartwell roof under tall firs

The situation

A large home in Chartwell has a sprawling roof with multiple wings, set among tall firs. The south-facing slopes are clean, but the north side and the sections closest to the trees are covered in moss, and the gutters below fill with needles every few months.

The owners had quotes ranging wildly in price and method, from a quick pressure wash to a full day of hand work.

Why quotes vary so much

A large roof with several wings, steep sections and landscaped beds below takes real setup time: anchor points for fall protection, safe access points, and protection for the plants and patios underneath.

Pressure washing a shingle roof is fast but damages the granules. Hand removal takes longer and protects the roof. That difference shows up in the price.

How we approach it

• We focus effort where the moss actually is, usually the shaded slopes, the valleys and the lower edges, rather than treating the whole roof the same.
• Moss is removed by hand and rinsed at low pressure, and gardens and patios below are protected from falling debris.
• Gutters are cleared at the end, and we note anything on the roof that a roofer should look at.
• A moss treatment follows, standard on asphalt shingles, and slows regrowth on the shaded sections.

What to expect

A clean, healthy-looking roof without the damage a fast pressure wash can cause, and a clear idea of how often the shaded sections will need attention.

Questions we hear