Roof Cleaning Stockport
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If you’re a homeowner in Stockport looking to have your roof cleaned, you’ve probably already noticed one thing: there’s a lot of confusion about how it actually works.
Neighbours might tell you to “just get a pressure washer”, online searches yield a bewildering array of methods and prices, and – if you’re unlucky – a few dodgy flyers have probably landed on your doormat promising miracles for £100.
We’re Exterior Cleaning Pros, and for over a decade, we’ve been doing roof cleaning the right way, in and around Stockport.
Most residential roofs in Stockport – and indeed across Greater Manchester – are pitched roofs, with slopes between 30° and 45°. They’re usually constructed from one of three main materials:
Concrete Tiles (the most common type in our Stockport, accounting for roughly 70% of installations). These are made from a mixture of cement, sand, and aggregate, pressed into shape and cured.
Concrete tiles are durable (30-50 year lifespan), but their porous nature means they can retain water and provide a substrate for biological growth. You’ll typically see them in profiles like double Roman, flat, or pantile.
Clay Tiles (about 20% of Stockport roofs). Fired clay tiles are non-porous, more resistant to frost and moisture absorption than concrete and often last 50-100 years. However, they’re more brittle, so care is needed during cleaning to avoid cracking or dislodging them. Clay tiles have a distinctive ‘shot’ colour variation, giving roofs a rich, textured look.
Slate Tiles (less common now, around 5-10% of older properties). Natural slate is extremely durable (>100 years), non-porous, and has a distinctive layered structure. But, slate can delaminate (split) if water penetrates the nail holes or edges, so any cleaning method must avoid forcing water under the tiles. Regardless of tile type, most Stockport roofs will have:
- Underlay (breathable membrane or older bituminous felt) to prevent water ingress
- Battens (wooden strips) to which the tiles are fixed
- Rafters and trusses forming the structural framework
- Flashings (lead, zinc, or PVC) around chimneys, vents, and valleys
- Gutters and downpipes (usually PVC or cast iron)
We consider all this aspects before cleaning your roof, hence professional and long-lasting results.
Roof Cleaning Methods
Softwashing (our go-to for 90% of jobs): This involves:
Pre-treatment with a specialised biocide (not just bleach – something scientifically formulated to kill moss/algae without harming tiles or pets).
Low-pressure water application (think garden hose, not firehose) to let the biocide work its way into crevices.
A dwell time (usually 15-30 minutes) where the solution kills the biological matter.
Gentle rinse (again, low pressure) to wash away dead growth. The key here is no high pressure, which can dislodge granules from concrete tiles or crack slates.
Manual Scraping & Brushing (for very stubborn areas or delicate roofs): On older slate or clay, sometimes soft washing alone won’t dislodge tenacious lichen.
In those cases, our team uses hand tools (soft-bristled brushes, plastic scrapers – never metal) to gently remove growth. This is labour-intensive, but sometimes necessary.
Chemical-only Treatment (rare, but used on very sensitive roofs like cedar shingles or very old terracotta): No water at all. Just neat application of a stronger biocide, left to work over weeks/months.
We use this sparingly because it relies on natural rain to wash things off eventually.
Any decent roof cleaner in Stockport will have:
- Public Liability Insurance (£5 million+, just in case something goes wrong).
- Employers' Liability
- CSCS Cards (Construction Skills Certification Scheme)
At Exterior Cleaning Pros, every team member has completed CITB Level 2 Roofing (Maintenance) training, and we maintain a full Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS) for every job.
Now, if you’re ready to proceed, simply:
- Call/text 07421-223460
- Fill out our online form
- Email: info@exteriorcleaningpros.co.uk
We’ll arrange a convenient time for your free survey, and from there, we’ll take care of the rest.
