Roof Cleaning Cape Town deals with getting moss, lichen, algae, dirt and other growth off tile and metal roofs. Get prices from roofers who clean without damaging the roof, which not all of them do.
It is done for appearance, as preparation before coat, and to stop organic growth holding water against the roof finish and blocking roof valleys and gutters.
Roof area, roof material, and how heavy the growth is.
Get Roof Cleaning QuotesMoss, Lichen And Algae On Local Roofs
| Growth | Where it appears | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Moss | Shaded southern slopes, under trees, damp neighbourhoods | Holds water against the tile, blocks roof valleys and gutters |
| Lichen | Anywhere with age, bonded hard to the surface | Etches into the tile surface, tricky to remove |
| Algae | Damp, shaded areas | Dark water marks, largely cosmetic |
| Salt and dirt | Seaside homes and buildings | Accelerates corrosion damage on metal roofs |
| Wind-blown sand and dust | Exposed sites, summer south-easter | Settles in roof valleys and gutters |
| Fallen leaves | Under mature trees | Dams roof valleys and gutters, holds moisture |
Soft Washing Or Pressure Washing
High-pressure washing gets growth off fast and is the normal first step before a roof is coated. It also wears away the surface of old concrete tiles, can force water under the covering if sprayed upwards, and will wreck brittle or old fibre cement. The pressure has to suit the material and the nozzle should keep moving down the slope.
Soft washing uses a low-pressure biocide that kills the growth, which then washes away over a few weeks. It is kinder to the covering and keeps regrowth away for longer, but the roof takes a while to look clean and it is normally not sufficient on its own as preparation for paint.
Do not pressure-wash an old grey cement roof. Fibre cement sheets and slates fitted before the mid-1990s may contain asbestos, and a pressure washer sends fibres into the air and across the property. Get a sample tested before any cleaning is done. See asbestos roof removal in Cape Town.
Roof Cleaning Cape Town Price Guide
| Service | Ballpark range | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure wash, tile roof | R35 to R80/m² | Growth-dependent |
| Pressure wash, metal roof | R30 to R70/m² | Lower pressure used |
| Soft wash with biocide | R45 to R100/m² | Gentler, slower to show results |
| Fungicidal treatment only | R20 to R45/m² | Applied after cleaning |
| Heavy lichen removal | R70 to R150/m² | Labour intensive |
| Usual 150m² home | R5,500 to R14,000 | Cleaned and treated |
| Gutter clearing with the clean | R850 to R2,800 | Needed after that regardless |
| Clean and seal / coat | R90 to R190/m² | Cleaning plus a coat system |
| Access or scaffold | R3,500 to R25,000 | Steep slope or two-storey |
Ballpark Cape Town figures, not firm quotes. The amount of growth makes the biggest difference, and thick, established lichen can take twice the labour of a thin layer of algae on the same size roof.
Have gutter cleaning included in the price, because everything washed off the roof ends up there.
Compare Roof Cleaning QuotesSigns Of Damage To Look Out For
- Water driven under the roof covering. Spraying uphill forces water past laps and beneath tiles into the roof void.
- Tile surfaces worn away. Too much pressure on old concrete tiles removes the cement face, leaving them more absorbent than before.
- Cracked tiles. Caused by people walking on the roof during cleaning, not by the water.
- Clogged gutters. All the growth that comes off washes into the gutters and has to be cleaned out afterwards.
- Damaged coating systems. Pressure washing a previously painted roof can take the coat off with the moss.
- Runoff into the garden. Biocide and loosened growth fall onto plants, so beds should be covered or hosed down.
Wash First, Then Coat
If the roof is being cleaned ahead of roof painting in Cape Town, the clean has to be thorough, because moss, lichen and the powdery top layer stop paint from bonding and any coating over them will peel. Get one roofer to quote for both, so a single firm answers for the finish.
Common Questions
What is the price of roof cleaning in Cape Town?
Approximately R35-R80 a square metre for a pressure-washed tile roof, and R45-R100 for soft washing. A usual 150 square metre home lands between R5,500 and R14,000 cleaned and treated.
Can pressure washing harm roof tiles?
It can. Too much pressure wears the surface off old concrete tiles and leaves them more absorbent, and spraying up the slope forces water under the covering. The pressure must suit the roof material.
What does soft washing involve?
Spraying a biocide at low pressure to kill the growth, which then washes away over the next few weeks. It is kinder to the roof and keeps growth away for longer, but the roof takes longer to look clean.
How frequently should a roof be cleaned?
Every three to five years for most buildings. More frequently under heavy tree canopy or on shaded southern slopes where moss establishes fast.
Will a clean keep the moss from returning?
Cleaning alone does not. A fungicidal treatment applied later slows regrowth substantially, and trimming overhanging branches to let light and air onto the roof assists more than either.
Is it safe to pressure-wash an old grey cement roof?
No, not before it has been sampled. Cement sheeting and slates dating from before about 1995 may contain asbestos, and pressure washing releases fibres. Have it tested in a lab first.
Does cleaning need gutter clearing later?
Yes. Everything cleaned off the roof ends up in the gutters, so cleaning them out is part of the work and should be in the price.
What is the normal timeframe for roof cleaning?
A usual home is one to two days covering treatment and gutter clearing. Heavy lichen takes longer.
Roof cleaning through Roof Repairs Cape Town is frequently quoted at the same time with painting or maintenance, which typically works out less expensive than separate visits.
Similar Roofing Services
Roof Repairs Cape Town doesn't repair roofs itself. It sends your request to independent roofers, they do the work, and you sign with whichever one you choose. Check business details, references and insurance before you accept a price.
Moss or dirt on your roof? See prices from cleaning roofers serving Cape Town and check what method they use on your roof material.
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