Blog, Roof Cleaning

How to Remove Moss from Roofs (Without Ruining Them!)

Let’s talk about moss. That green, fuzzy menace that’s made a cosy home on your roof tiles. It might look harmless, even charming in a rustic-cottage-core sort of way, but make no mistake, moss is bad news. Left to its own devices, moss traps moisture, loosens tiles, and can even lead to leaks. Worse still? Your roof ends up looking more like “Shrek’s swamp” than “dream home in the Irish countryside”.

So if you’ve been Googling how to remove moss from roof, you’re in the right place.

This guide is for you if:

You’re sick of your roof looking like it belongs in a fairytale forest.
You’re wondering if you can tackle it yourself.
You’re open to a bit of advice from the pros (hi, that’s us 👋).

We’ll tell you how to remove moss from your roof safely, but we’ll also explain why professional help from UEH Ireland is hands-down the best (and actually the most cost-effective) option in the long run.

Why Moss on Your Roof is a Problem

Before we dive into removal methods, it’s worth understanding why roof moss is more than just an eyesore. Moss is porous, which means it soaks up water like a sponge. This extra moisture can:

Lift and crack tiles
Accelerate wear and tear
Lead to water ingress and damp
Attract more debris and growth (and don’t get us started on red algae…)

In short: moss is a nightmare for your roof. And considering the good old Irish weather isn’t exactly dry and sunny all year round, roof moss removal should be high on your home maintenance to-do list.

Can You Remove Moss Yourself?

You can remove moss yourself. Should you? Well, we’ll get to that. But for those stubborn DIYers out there (and we salute your bravery), here’s how to remove moss from roof tiles safely:

The “I’m Going To Do It Myself” Guide

1. Safety First

Please, please, don’t just grab a ladder and a wire brush and start climbing. Falls from roofs are one of the leading causes of DIY injuries. If you’re even slightly unsure, leave it to professionals.

Wear:

A harness if working on the roof (ideally avoid walking on it altogether)
Safety goggles and gloves
Non-slip shoes

2. Gentle Removal Only

No pressure washers. Seriously. It might feel like the quickest way, but it can dislodge tiles, force water into your loft and strip protective coatings. Use a soft-bristle brush and work from the top down.

3. Biocide Treatment

After brushing off the moss, apply a specialist biocide like Benz Softwash (approved in Ireland, and what we use ourselves). This kills spores, prevents regrowth and is much kinder to your roof than bleach or vinegar concoctions.

Follow all safety and environmental guidelines, and be prepared for results to take a few weeks to show. Good things take time!

4. Stay Off the Roof

If you can, do it all from a scaffold tower or stable ladder platform. Clambering across tiles will cause more damage than the moss ever could.

Or… You Could Just Call UEH Ireland

Here’s the thing: roof moss removal isn’t just about getting rid of what you can see. It’s about removing spores, preventing regrowth, and protecting your roof long-term. At UEH Ireland, we:

Use government-approved Benz Softwash for safe, effective moss and algae treatment
Apply a protective biocide post-cleaning to keep moss away
Offer ProPERLA roof coatings that are self-cleaning, breathable, and super hydrophobic, which means rainwater just slides off, taking dirt and spores with it

Oh, and did we mention we’re the only ProPERLA Platinum Approved Applicator in Ireland? That’s not just a fancy title; it’s your guarantee that the coating will be applied properly by trained professionals.

Why It’s Cheaper (and Smarter) to Leave It to the Pros

DIY might seem cheaper, but when you factor in:

The cost of renting scaffolding
Buying proper biocide and safety gear
The risk of damaging your tiles (or yourself!)
The chance you’ll have to do it all over again in 6 months…

You’re much better off calling a trusted team that knows exactly what they’re doing.

Our wall and roof cleaning experts don’t just remove moss. We restore roofs, protect tiles, and even apply ProPERLA coatings with warranties that last decades.

And for extra peace of mind, ProPERLA comes with a 10-year warranty for all colour coatings on roofs and walls, a 10-year warranty for clear coatings on roofs, and a 20-year warranty on clear coatings for walls.

Clean Roof, Happy Home

If you’ve made it this far, give yourself a pat on the back. You now know how to remove moss from roof surfaces safely and sensibly. But if you’d rather spend your weekend enjoying a cuppa than dangling from a ladder, give UEH Ireland a call.

We’re here to help with:

Roof moss removal
Roof and wall cleaning
Roof coatings (ProPERLA-approved!)
And even to remove red algae from house walls (another Irish favourite)

So go on, treat your home to a proper clean, and let’s keep that roof moss-free for good.