Roof cleaning and moss removal
Moss, lichen and debris removed with methods chosen for your roofing material. On asphalt shingle roofs, a moss treatment is always included to slow regrowth.
Moss holds moisture against your roof, lifts shingle edges and sheds debris into your gutters. Removing it carefully, without damaging the roof underneath, is what this service is about.
We look at the roofing material, pitch, access and how much growth there is before recommending a method. Not every roof should be cleaned the same way, and some shouldn't be pressure washed at all.
What's included
- Manual removal of moss and loose debris from the roof surface, ridges and valleys.
- Low-pressure rinsing or soft washing where the roofing material allows it.
- Clearing roof debris that falls into the gutters during the job, so the work doesn't leave your gutters worse off.
- On asphalt shingle roofs, a moss treatment is always included after cleaning to slow regrowth. It works gradually over the following weeks of rain and needs repeating over time. Cedar shake, metal and concrete tile roofs get a method suited to their material.
Matching the method to the roof
Asphalt shingles: high-pressure washing can strip the protective granules and shorten a roof's life. We remove moss by hand and use low-pressure or soft-wash methods instead.
Cedar shakes and shingles: wood is easily gouged or furred by high pressure. Cleaning is gentle, and we'll tell you if the shakes look like they need a roofer's attention rather than cleaning.
Metal roofs: generally tolerant of cleaning, but coatings, fasteners and slipperiness all affect how we work.
Concrete and clay tile: tiles can crack if walked on carelessly. Access and method are planned around that.
If a roof is too steep, too fragile or too deteriorated to work on safely, we'll say so rather than risk damage.
Safety and limits
Wet, mossy roofs are slippery. Our technicians use fall protection and won't work on a roof in conditions that aren't safe.
Cleaning is not a roof repair. If we see lifted, cracked or missing shingles, damaged flashing or soft spots, we'll point them out and recommend you have a roofer inspect them.
Cleaning can't reverse existing damage that moss has already caused, and staining from lichen may fade over weeks rather than disappear on the day.
How often should a roof be cleaned?
Don't leave moss for another season. The longer it stays, the more it lifts shingle edges, holds water against the roof and clogs gutters and downspouts, all of which shorten a roof's life. How often to clean after that depends on shade, nearby trees and how quickly moss returns on your property. Many homeowners combine roof cleaning with a gutter clean so debris washed off the roof is cleared at the same visit.
Once a roof is clean, a periodic treatment and regular gutter cleaning usually keep regrowth manageable. We'll give you an honest recommendation for your roof rather than a fixed schedule.
Real results
Roof Cleaning before and after
Before
AfterHeavy moss removal on a shingle roof
Thick moss cleared from a shingle roof surrounded by tall trees.
Before
AfterMoss removal on a residential shingle roof
Rows of moss cleared from a shingle roof, photographed from the same spot before and after.
Before
AfterShingle roof moss and streak removal
Streaks of moss cleared from a shingle roof with a mountain view.
Before
AfterMoss removal on a concrete tile roof
Moss cleared from the gaps between concrete roof tiles.
Before
AfterFlat roof debris clearing
Needles and debris cleared from a flat roof and its edges.
Before
AfterMoss removal on an asphalt shingle roof
Heavy moss growth removed from a shaded shingle roof surrounded by mature trees.
Before
AfterRoof cleaning
Grime and organic staining cleaned off a roof beside a cable railing.
On the job
Recent roof cleaning work
From the blog
Roof cleaning stories from around the region
- PembertonA farmhouse and shop roof out in Pemberton Meadows
- West VancouverMoss on a Chartwell roof under tall firs
- West VancouverMoss on a concrete tile roof in the British Properties
- PembertonMoss on a shaded roof in The Glen
- SquamishMoss on an older Dentville home with a cedar shake roof
- SquamishRoof moss on a shaded Valleycliffe home near the Chief
FAQ
Roof cleaning questions
Do you pressure wash roofs?
Not asphalt or cedar roofs. High pressure can strip shingle granules or damage wood. We remove moss by hand and use low-pressure or soft-wash methods suited to the material.
Will the moss come back?
Moss can return, especially on shaded roofs near trees. An optional treatment after cleaning slows regrowth, and periodic maintenance keeps it under control.
Is roof moss treatment safe for my garden?
We choose products and application methods to limit runoff and protect nearby plants. Ask us about the specific product during your quote and we'll explain how it's applied.
Can you tell me if my roof needs repairs?
We'll point out obvious issues we notice, like lifted or missing shingles, but we aren't roofers. For anything structural, we recommend a roofing inspection.
Do you clean the gutters after a roof cleaning?
We clear debris that falls into the gutters during the job. A full gutter cleaning, including downspout checks, can be added to the same visit.
Roof cleaning near you
We offer roof cleaning across the Sea-to-Sky corridor and the North Shore. See all service areas.
Related services
Gutter Cleaning
Gutters cleared by hand, downspouts checked for flow, and debris bagged and removed so water goes where it should.
Learn more
Pressure Washing
Driveways, patios, walkways, pavers, decks and commercial hardscapes cleaned with the right water flow, pressure and soap for each surface.
Learn moreFree quotes
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- • Residential, strata and commercial properties.