A Star Decorators

13 / cleaning

Residential roof soft washing and biocide treatment for moss, algae and lichen.

Low pressure soft washing and biocide application that kills moss, algae and lichen at the root, without the tile damage pressure washing causes. MEWP access keeps the programme tight and avoids scaffold overrun. Gutter clearance is included in every roof clean.

Roof cleaning and soft washing. A Star Decorators

When this is the right route

  • The roof is structurally sound but covered in moss, algae or lichen that damages the tile surface and blocks the gutters.
  • You want the growth removed at the root without pressure washing that can dislodge tiles, strip the surface or void a guarantee.
  • The pitch, access or street width rules out scaffold. MEWP access is quicker and less disruptive.
  • A clean roof is needed before a protective coating or a full building condition record.

Scope · included

  • Low pressure soft wash biocide application to all slopes and ridges
  • Moss and lichen removal after kill, by gentle manual or low pressure rinse
  • Gutter clearance: debris removal, downpipe flush and flow test
  • MEWP access with spreader plates and full street safety setup

Scope · not included

  • Structural roof repairs, tile replacement or rebedding
  • Roof coatings or protective treatments, offered as a separate scope
  • Chimney, leadwork or flashing repairs

Sectors

  • Residential
  • Heritage

Process

  1. 01

    Survey

    Tile type identified, moss species and lichen coverage assessed, moisture check for tile soundness, access constraints and MEWP route, gutter and downpipe condition. The biocide chemistry is recommended only after a physical survey.

  2. 02

    Specification

    Biocide selected for the moss species and tile material, diluted for low pressure application through a fan nozzle under 5 bar. Weather window agreed. Gutter clearance method and any protective sheeting for sensitive areas written into the spec.

  3. 03

    RAMS

    Project RAMS covering MEWP operation and exclusion zones, biocide COSHH assessment, weather monitoring, pedestrian and road safety plan for street facing roofs, PPE schedule.

  4. 04

    Delivery

    MEWP setup, exclusion barriers and street notices where required. Gutter clearance and downpipe flush first. Biocide applied in even passes from ridge to eaves across all affected slopes, then a treatment inspection and final flow test.

  5. 05

    Handover

    Written report with biocide product data sheet, batch number, application date and weather conditions. Before and after photos. Note on the moss breakdown timeline: dead growth sloughs off over 4 to 8 weeks, with no pressure washing needed.

Built for the people who buy decorating

Three audiences. One delivery model.

We are a specialist sub-contractor, not a turnkey fit-out outfit. We deliver decorating, spraying, restoration and coatings under main contractors and direct estate teams.

For main contractors

Hands on decorating. On time, every time, snags closed before handover.

Variations priced ahead of the request. Per-store handover record. A no-snag handover policy. We run the way you run.

  • Active main-contractor framework relationships
  • Variations priced ahead of the request, paperwork on the day it is due
  • Per zone handover record across multi store programmes

For estate + FM teams

Live trading stays live. Restoration before replacement.

Survey to handover without closing the unit. Powder-coat restoration with a 5-7 year service life. Run-off, masking and reopening tracked store-by-store.

  • Out-of-hours + phased delivery on rolling estate programmes
  • Photo-led handover record per store / per elevation
  • DOFF, chemical and jet-wash cleaning ahead of any coating

For retail estate leads

Brand consistency, store by store, on the date you promised.

Brand-matched paint stacks against the estate spec. KPI reporting per store. Programme that survives shopfit slippage instead of inheriting it.

  • Multi-store rolling programmes. KPI reported nightly
  • Brand-matched Dulux Trade specifications
  • Repeat-work relationships across Primark · Tesco · M&S

How we deliver

Built for live UK sites.

Twenty years finishing commercial buildings across the UK. Director led, the same trusted crews, one programme and one point of contact from survey to handover.

01

Live trading hours

Stores stay open. Surveys, masking and run off planned around foot traffic.

02

Out of hours nights

Night programmes on retail and hospitality estates. Clean before doors open.

03

Phased estate rollouts

Rolling 4 to 12 stores a week against a national programme.

04

UK wide coverage

Offices in Poole and London. Crews mobilised across England, Scotland and Wales.

05

Single source delivery

Decorating, on site spraying, powder coat restoration and floor coatings under one PM.

06

Photographic handover

Before and after record, gloss readings and written service life on every scheme.

Frequently asked

  • Will soft washing damage my roof tiles?

    No. Soft washing applies a diluted biocide at low pressure, under 5 bar, through a fan nozzle. No pressure washer touches the roof surface. The process kills moss at the root without dislodging tiles or stripping the surface. The survey confirms the tile type before we set the chemistry.

  • How long before the moss disappears?

    The moss dies within a few days and turns brown or black. It then sloughs off over 4 to 8 weeks as rain and wind clear the dead material. You do not need to pressure wash afterwards, and doing so can damage the tiles. We schedule a follow up check where the spec calls for it.

  • Is the biocide safe for pets, plants and the garden?

    The biocide is a diluted, approved masonry treatment. During application we cover or wet down sensitive plants and keep run off out of drains. Once dry it is bound to the roof surface and presents negligible risk to pets. You get the COSHH sheet and a plant protection plan before we start.

  • My house is listed or in a conservation area. Can I still have the roof cleaned?

    Yes. Low pressure soft washing is often the only method conservation officers accept, because it does not alter the appearance or surface of heritage materials. We supply method statements, product data and accreditation records for your application. Listed building consent may be required and we can advise on the process.

  • How do you reach the roof on a narrow street?

    We use compact MEWP models that access narrow residential roads. Where a MEWP will not fit, we use a lightweight tower or, on suitable pitches, roof operatives on a safety line. Access is assessed at survey and the method is confirmed before the start date.

  • What happens to the moss the biocide kills?

    Dead moss dries out and detaches over several weeks, falling into the gutter or to the ground. Because we clear the gutters as part of the clean, the initial debris is removed and the rest washes down gradually. It does not leave a heavy deposit.

  • Can I stay home during the work?

    Yes. The application is quiet and produces no airborne dust. We set a pedestrian exclusion zone around the MEWP and working area, and you keep normal access via a side door or an agreed route. We walk you through the plan at the start of the day.

Start a conversation

Send photos, drawings or a short scope.

We will review the service route, access, preparation, finish and likely next step before the job is priced properly.

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