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How to Remove Moss From a Roof

Take the moss off by hand with a scraper or stiff brush, working down the roof, then put a moss killer (a biocide) on at low pressure to kill what's left. Don't use a pressure washer.

The safe way, what kills it, how long it takes, and when it's a job for a company.

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  • By handthen a moss killer
  • Weeksfor dead moss to wash away
  • €10–€20 per m²if a company does it
  • Nevera pressure washer

The right way to get moss off a roof

What is the best way to remove moss from a roof?

Take the moss off by hand with a scraper or stiff brush, working down the roof, then put a moss killer (a biocide) on at low pressure to kill what's left. Don't use a pressure washer.

MethodDoes it work?
Scrape or brush by handYes. Takes off the bulk of the moss, with no water forced under the tiles.
Moss killer (biocide), low pressureYes. Kills the roots, spores and algae the scraper leaves.
Soft washYes. A cleaning solution at low pressure.
Pressure washerNo. Strips tile surfaces and drives water under the laps.

How the job is done

  1. Look firstCracked tiles, slipped slates and loose ridge mortar are often hidden under thick moss. They're noted and shown to you before anything is scraped.
  2. Moss off by handScrapers and stiff brushes, from the top down, so the moss falls toward the gutter, not up under the tiles.
  3. Moss killer, low pressureA biocide goes on with a low-pressure sprayer and works its way to the roots.
  4. Gutters and clear-upThe loosened moss ends up in the gutters. They're cleared, the downpipes flushed and the ground swept.

Don't climb on the roof

Only from a safe position, like a ladder at the gutter line for the bottom rows. The Health and Safety Authority's roofwork code says to treat a roof as fragile unless a competent person says otherwise. For the whole roof, use a company with the right access gear and insurance.

Moss off, by hand

Jobs shared by the Irish companies that did them. Each says where it was.

Before: Slate roof of a church, moss removed, Co. Meath
After: Slate roof of a church, moss removed, Co. Meath
Slate. Slate roof of a church, moss removed, Co. MeathCushions of moss off the slates and out of the valley gutter, by hand.
Before: Slate roof, moss scraped off by hand, Co. Meath
After: Slate roof, moss scraped off by hand, Co. Meath
Slate. Slate roof, moss scraped off by hand, Co. MeathBefore: moss in every joint. After: the same roof from the ridge, cleared.
Moss coming off a slate roof, Co. Meath
Moss removal. Moss coming off a slate roof, Co. MeathScraped off by hand, top down, so it falls toward the gutter.
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What roof cleaning costs in Limerick

Typical prices for typical roofs, by house and by method.

JobTypical priceWhat moves the price
Moss scraped off by hand€10–€20 per m²Thick moss in every joint
Soft wash and moss treatment€12–€28 per m²Kills what the scraper leaves
Moss killer (biocide) on its own€4–€10 per m² extra, from about €200 for a bungalow re-treatSprayed at low pressure, left to work
Semi-detached, 3 bed€400–€1,800Moss depth, roof size, tiles or slate

A guide for typical Limerick roofs. Your price is fixed by the company once they've seen the roof or your photos. Ask for it in writing, with VAT, the biocide and the gutters shown.

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Questions we get asked

What is the best way to remove moss from a roof?

Take the moss off by hand with a scraper or stiff brush, working down the roof, then put a moss killer (a biocide) on at low pressure to kill what's left. Don't use a pressure washer.

Can I remove moss from my roof myself?

Only from a safe position, like a ladder at the gutter line for the bottom rows. The Health and Safety Authority's roofwork code says to treat a roof as fragile unless a competent person says otherwise. For the whole roof, use a company with the right access gear and insurance.

How long does moss killer take to work on a roof?

Hours to start, weeks to finish: roughly a month of clearing for every year the roof went untreated.

Should you pressure wash moss off a roof?

No. A pressure washer strips the surface off concrete tiles, cracks old slates and drives water under the tiles and the ridge. The moss comes off by hand, then a moss killer goes on at low pressure.

How much does it cost to have moss removed?

Cleaning the roof of a 3-bed semi costs €400–€1,800 in Limerick, a terraced house or small semi €300–€1,200, and a detached house €450–€3,000+. Slate is dearer, €900–€3,500+. Clearing the gutters at the same time adds €60–€200.

Will the moss come back?

Yes, eventually. With a moss killer, a clean usually holds it back for one to four years. Without one, moss can be back within 6 to 9 months in the west of Ireland.

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