A Star Decorators

Roof cleaning and soft washing · Southampton

Roof soft washing in Southampton.

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. Delivered across Southampton and Hampshire. Retail refurbishment, commercial decorating and industrial coatings across Southampton and the south coast. WestQuay and the city-centre retail estate, port and logistics units along the docks, and the coastal weathering that drives frame restoration and facade work on exposed elevations.

Request a surveyCall 077 6178 1304See relevant projects

Why Southampton

Why choose us for roof cleaning and soft washing in Southampton and Hampshire.

Track record

  • Biocide matched to moss species and tile type, applied at low pressure to preserve the substrate
  • MEWP access and exclusion zones planned to avoid scaffold and keep the programme tight
  • Gutter clearance and downpipe flush included as standard, not an add on

Right fit when

  • 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

What you get when you brief us for roof cleaning and soft washing in Southampton.

  • 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

Sectors · Southampton

Types of building we cover with roof cleaning and soft washing in Southampton.

  • Residential
  • Heritage

Southampton programme

How we run roof cleaning and soft washing schemes locally.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

CHAS Accredited
Site Safety Plus
Dulux Academy

Frequently asked · Southampton

What clients in Southampton usually ask first.

Do you work around live retail at WestQuay and in town?
Yes. Retail work is phased around trading, with overnight cuts where the landlord or centre requires them.
Can you handle coastal weathering on frames and facades?
Yes. Salt-laden exposure is hard on coatings; we restore powder-coated frames and recoat facades to suit the exposure, not a generic spec.
Do you cover the port and industrial estates?
Yes. Warehouse and industrial coatings around the docks and the Nursling and Totton estates are a regular part of the Hampshire programme.
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.

Also in Southampton

Other services we deliver in Southampton and Hampshire.

Cross-link

See the full Roof cleaning and soft washing service →All services in Southampton →

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