A: If your roof is in good condition and does not have a significant amount of dirt or debris on it, it may not need to be cleaned. However, there are several reasons why you should keep on top of your roof cleaning even if it only has "slight" infestation!

1. Improved appearance: If your roof is visibly dirty or has unsightly stains, cleaning it can improve the overall appearance of your home and make it look more attractive.
2. Increased lifespan: Removing dirt, algae, and other contaminants from the surface of your roof can help to extend its lifespan by preventing damage caused by these materials.
3. Prevention of costly repairs: Regular roof cleaning can help to prevent the need for costly repairs that may be required if the roof is allowed to become too dirty or damaged.
4. Increased property value: A clean roof can increase the value of your property, making it more attractive to potential buyers.

It is a good idea to have a professional inspect your roof to determine whether cleaning is necessary and, if so, what type of cleaning method is best suited for your roof. This will help you to make an informed decision.

A: Pressure washing is a common method for cleaning roofs in the UK, which involves using a high-pressure water spray to remove dirt, algae, and other contaminants from the surface of the roof.

The entry level for a “professional” company is relatively cheap (£1000 - £2000) and easy as all someone has to do is purchase a power washer, print some business cards, knock on your door and convince you the price is right! Then, if they get stuck, they jump on a free Facebook group to ask for advice. This is what has given pressure washing the bad rep it has!

Pressure washing is effective in loosening and removing most types of dirt and debris but it is important to note that pressure washing your roof needs to be done correctly and it will only look clean for a short time after the job is done. You see, pressure washing does not remove the organic growth (at spore level) and as a result your roof will become dirty much sooner than if you treat the organic growth (and true culprit - Gloeocapsa Magma) using a SoftWash Solution.

You may save money by going with “the cheaper” or “Do it yourself” option but it could turn into a costly exercise long term if you are having the work carried out year after year after year after year after… well, you get the idea.

It's really important to be careful to work in the right direction, not use too much pressure, and definitely avoid unsafely walking on the roof - all of which can damage your roof or cause injury!

A: It is recommended to have your roof professionally cleaned every two to three years. At Clearstone Solutions we provide a 2 year Guarantee followed by a further 3 Year Roof Warranty to ensure you have full confidence in the work done.

A: There is a variety of organic growth that can grow on roofs, particularly in humid or moist environments. Common types include: 

Moss: Moss is a type of plant that grows in moist or humid environments. It has small, leaf-like structures and a compact growth habit, and it can produce a green or brownish-green staining on the roof.

Algae: Algae are a type of microorganism that can grow on the surface of roofs, particularly in humid or moist environments. Algae can produce a black or greenish-black staining on the roof.

Lichen: Lichen is a type of plant that is composed of a symbiotic relationship between algae and fungi. It can grow on a variety of surfaces, including roofs, and it can produce a green, gray, or brown staining on the roof.

Fungi: Fungi are a type of microorganism that can grow on roofs, particularly in damp or humid conditions. Fungi can produce black or dark brown stains on the roof.

If you are not sure what type of moss or organic growth is growing on your roof, it is a good idea to have a professional roof cleaner inspect your roof to determine the cause of the growth and to recommend a course of action. In some cases, the growth may be able to be removed through cleaning, while in other cases, it may be necessary to apply a chemical treatment to kill the growth and prevent its re-growth.

A: The best time to clean a roof can depend on the climate, the weather conditions, and the type of roofing material. Here are a few general guidelines to consider when deciding when to clean a roof:

Climate: In general, it is best to clean a roof when the weather is mild and not too hot or cold. 

Weather conditions: It is generally best to clean a roof on a dry, sunny day, as the cleaning solution will have time to work and will be able to dry properly. We have found that cleaning a roof in cold conditions do not stay clean as long and may require an additional treatment in the warmer months to extend the treatment.

Roofing material: The type of roofing material will also affect the best time to clean a roof. For example, asphalt shingles can be cleaned at any time, but clay tiles may be more prone to damage if they are cleaned when they are wet or frozen. If you are not sure when is the best time to clean your roof, we would be happy to talk you through the options, assess the condition of your roof, and recommend the best time to clean it.

A: There are so many things to look for when it comes to choosing the right roof cleaning company. Make sure to research the company and ask for references. Additionally, make sure the company is insured and ask about their cleaning processes and products. 

There are a great number of companies that walk over your roof, don't have training, don't apply a treatment and will not show up or care about your roof so taking the time to choose the right company will be time, and money, well saved!

Clearstone Solutions uses steam cleaning equipment and a SoftWash processes, meaning we can warranty your roof for 5 years in total, providing you with free retreatments (if required) for 2 years after your initial roof clean. This is our during our 2 year guarantee which can be followed by a 3 year warranty.

A: The cost of roof cleaning in the UK will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the roof, the type of roofing material, the level of dirt and debris, and the specific cleaning method used.

On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from £699 for a basic roof cleaning. This will typically include pressure washing the roof to remove dirt and debris.

If your roof requires more extensive cleaning or repairs, such as chemical cleaning or the removal of moss or algae, you can expect to pay anywhere from £300 to £8000 depending on the size of your roof and the level of infestation. 

On top of the roof cleaning costs you will have to allow for access costs like scaffolding or a Cherry Picker. These costs can vary between £350 to £1500 + VAT depending on the access around your home and size of the job.

The other external cost is the removal of moss from your home. This can cost anywhere from £250 + VAT to £600 + VAT depending on the amount of moss and debris that needs to be removed from your home.

At Clearstone Solutions, we provide a full breakdown of the cost, giving you complete transparency when it comes to our pricing.

A: In Short, yes.

It is important to hire a professional roof cleaning company as they have the experience and safety equipment needed to safely clean your roof. Clearstone Solutions does not walk on roofs; our fully trained staff use tower-scaffolding or cherry-pickers to access your roof without damaging it.

A: Roof cleaning can potentially be harmful to the environment depending on the cleaning method and chemicals used. We have to be careful of where our SoftWash Solutions ends up. If it heads into a flower bed plats can be damaged. If it heads into rivers or ponds it can cause Algae Blooming and if it heads down a "storm drain" it could affect water ways and the local environment so using a fully trained company will minimise the risk of damage to the environment.

However, there are eco-friendly and safer alternatives for roof cleaning that are less harmful to the environment. For example, Clearstone Solutions uses a Softwash method with low-pressure water and biodegradable cleaning solutions that are safer for the environment. We also take care of all the waste produced when cleaning your roof to ensure that plants and animals will not be affected by any of the work we undertake.

There are several types of roof tiles and this is absolutely something you need to take into consideration when cleaning your roof or looking for somebody to clean your roof.

Clay tiles: Clay tiles are made from natural clay and are fired in a kiln. They are known for their durability and longevity, and they can last up to 100 years or more with proper maintenance. Clay tiles are also resistant to rot and insects. You can use pressure and steam cleaners on these, though the less pressure the better and you need to consider the direction or spray to ensure they are not loosened. Softwashing is definitely the best option for clay tiles.

Slate tiles: Slate tiles are made from natural slate and are known for their durability and longevity. They can last up to 100 years or more with proper maintenance, are resistant to rot and insects, as well as resistant to fire and extreme weather conditions. Slate tiles do not mix with Sodium Hypochlorite, meaning they should not be Soft Washed without testing the reaction. Clearstone Solutions would suggest steam cleaning for slate tiles.

Concrete tiles: Concrete tiles are made from a mixture of cement, sand, and water. They are known for their durability and versatility, and they can be made to mimic the appearance of other types of roofing materials, such as clay or slate. Concrete tiles are also resistant to rot and insects, and they are typically more affordable than clay tiles. Concrete tiles need to be inspected before any work, as well as test patches to check the potential reaction with any coating that has been applied to the tiles. It is also important to note that if the tiles are old, the coating may have already perished from age and organic growth meaning that your roof could end up pathy or "concrete" looking after a clean.

We always inspect roofs before doing any work, and test patches ensure that the tiles will not react poorly with the solutions or mixes that we use to ensure we can protect your roof

Concrete tiles can fade over time due to a variety of factors, including exposure to sunlight, weathering, and pollution. The extent to which concrete tiles will fade will depend on the specific circumstances of the tiles and the type of colouring or finishing that has been applied.

Pigment-based colouring: Concrete tiles that have been coloured using pigment in the concrete mixture are generally less prone to fading than other types of colouring. However, they may still fade to a certain extent over time due to exposure to sunlight and other weathering factors.

Staining: Concrete tiles that have been stained after they are made are more prone to fading than pigment-based colouring. The staining agent can fade or wear off over time, causing the color of the tiles to change.

Spraying: Concrete tiles that have been sprayed with a coating, such as a paint or a sealant, are also prone to fading. The coating can wear off or degrade over time, causing the color of the tiles to fade or change.

Overall, the color of concrete tiles may fade over time, but the extent of the fading will depend on the specific circumstances of the tiles and the type of colouring or finishing that has been applied. If you are concerned about the color fading of your concrete tiles, it is a good idea to discuss this with a professional roofing contractor or home builder. They can advise you on the best ways to maintain the color of your tiles and to extend their lifespan.

If you have rust stains on your slate roof, it is likely that the stains are coming from metal flashing or other metal components of your roofing system. Rust stains can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Age: As metal roofing components age, they can become more prone to rusting.

Moisture: Moisture can accelerate the rusting process, so it is important to ensure that your roof is properly ventilated and that any leaks are promptly repaired.

Pollution: Pollutants in the air, such as industrial emissions or salt spray, can also contribute to rusting.

Inadequate protection: If metal roofing components are not properly protected from the elements, they may be more prone to rusting.

Pyrite in the tile: Pyrite is a natural Iron vein running through the tile. This can cause a rust stain running down the roof. These are really hard to remove and in some cases can be made worse when using SoftWashing Techniques.

As such, making sure to choose a fully trained customer is vitally important. For more info on this please see the "What is Pyrite and can it be found on my roof" question.

If you have rust stains on your slate roof, it is a good idea to have a professional inspect your roof to determine the cause of the stains and to recommend a solution. In some cases, the rust stains may be able to be removed, while in other cases, the affected metal components may need to be replaced.

Gloeocapsa magma is a type of blue-green algae that can grow on the surface of roofs, particularly in humid or moist environments. It can produce a black or greenishblack staining on the roof, and it can also produce a slimy or slippery surface.

Gloeocapsa magma is a common problem on roofs in areas with high levels of humidity, and it is most commonly found on roofs that are shaded or that receive limited sunlight. It can grow on a variety of roofing materials, including asphalt shingles, clay tiles, and concrete tiles.

There are two types of sewers: there are those that are in the main roads and they tend to flow into rivers, lakes, ponds, or reservoirs, and the second type of drainage is from our home sewers, which goes into water treatment works and then gets recycled.

We don't want to let our soft washing solution - which is sodium hypochlorite - and our cleaning surfactants and soaps go down the main public highway drains, storm drains and flow into rivers. Not only is this against the law, but when sodium hypochlorite mixes with rivers and fish, it causes algae blooms and a whole array of other environmental issues.

What we need to do is we need to take it and send it down to the home sewerage systems so the water and the waste goes into a water treatment work where it will be recycled and eventually reused. In order to make sure that all waste water is correctly dealt with, we have invested very heavily in this very dramatic and good outside Hoover system. Essentially you have a layer of tubes that collect the water before it hits the drains and the public highways and then pumps it into the drain.

When we are cleaning roofs, it's a little bit harder to do, but what we do in those situations is disconnect the downpipes, replacing them with a temporary plastic downpipe on it and then we're able to direct it where we need it to go; either into a collection system or into the ground soil.

Nine times out of ten, the water that you use in pressure washing and steam cleaning means you don't need to worry about the waste produced, but when you are using chemicals that can harm the environment and can cause algae blooms, we need to be very sensible. As a company who have been around since 1974, we pride ourselves on doing the right thing and following our moral ethics. We’re very proud of sticking to this promise and are pleased that we've invested very heavily in this system.

When Clearstone Solutions Softwash, we use Sodium Hypochlorite. This can be very harmful to lead, plant life, fish, and animals. There is a lot of potential damage with using Sodium Hypochlorite, which means we are very cautious throughout our cleaning process to ensure that your property, plants, and animals are protected.

So to overcome that, when we are using Sodium Hypochlorite, there will always be two people working, the second spraying water continuously to protect your property.

At the end, once we've done our cleaning, we will use something called Final Wash. This gets sprayed over all the areas that we've been cleaning and essentially neutralizes the bleach from working.

Final Wash neutralises all chemicals and leaves a wax finish which then protects surfaces from harmful UV sun rays which can fade and oxidise metal and powder coated surfaces prematurely.

It has a combination of Anti Microbial additives and hydrophobic properties to help protect from rain water and organic matter build up.

Final Wash is a heavy waxing finishing soap that neutralises the caustic effects of bleach based cleaners. We use it on a multitude of different surfaces including cladding, metal roofing, windows and any surface where a glossy finish is required. We use this as our final step to the SoftWashing process neutralising the bleach when cleaning a surface listed above.

When it comes to plant care, once we have completed the clean, we use something called Plant Wah. This adds a protective barrier around the leaves and restores the PH level of the soils, reducing the risk of any damage to them.

Both the Final Wash and the Plant Wash are just one part of the process of our cleaning. We don't turn up and just clean; we ensure that your property, family, pets, and plants are all protected and neutralise everything. It's not just a case of turning up and cleaning - there's a lot more levels that go into it!

damage plants and grass when used in accordance with the Soft Wash training program that all of our staff carry out.

It is easy to damage plants around building where we are SoftWashing the render or other substrate, when using sodium hypochlorite to clean them with. Plant Wash is designed to reverse plant damage caused by caustic cleans such as sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide.

Plant Wash attacks these issues in 4 ways.

1.Neutralises the caustic

2.Liqufertilises the plants through their leaves

3.Coats the leaves with a buffering agent

4.Adds back vital nutrients at the base of the plants, helping beneficial bacteria to repopulate the soil.

Along with thorough rinsing with clean water, before, during and after the cleaning, Plant Wash is used as a final rinse to make absolutely sure every step has been taken to protect your landscape.

Want to know how effective Plant Was is? Watch the video -

https://www.softwashsystems.com/plantwash/