Clay Tile Roof
Moss Removal and Cleaning
in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

More than three decades of moss and contamination had turned a warm terracotta roof dark brown. The tiles underneath were in good condition — the method had to be chosen around that.

The project at a glance

Every roof inspected
before it is cleaned

Despite the age of the roof and the exceptional amount of moss growing across it, the clay tiles themselves appeared to be in good overall condition. We identified a single slipped tile, but found no visible evidence of widespread deterioration or compromise to the roof covering.

That distinction determined what happened next. We were satisfied that this particular clay roof was suitable for carefully controlled low‑pressure cleaning.

This is central to the way Chiltern Surface Co approaches roof cleaning. We don’t classify every roof of a particular material as requiring exactly the same treatment. Two clay roofs can differ considerably according to their age, condition, exposure, contamination and previous maintenance.

Free Drone Roof Survey and Assessment

Every Chiltern Surface Co project starts with a free site visit. On this roof that included a drone survey, so the condition of the clay tiles could be read closely before anyone went near the pitch, and before a cleaning method was chosen.

Cherry‑picker access for the steep roof pitch

The steep pitch presented another consideration.

Rather than routinely walking across the clay tiles, we accessed the roof using a cherry picker. This allowed our technicians to work close to the surface from a stable position and gave us precise control over both the cleaning angle and working distance.

It also reduced unnecessary foot traffic across a roof that, although in good condition, had been in place for many years.

With the access strategy established, the clean could begin.

Removing the heavy moss growth

The first physical stage was the systematic removal of the extensive moss covering the roof.

After more than 30 years, this was not simply superficial seasonal growth. Mature moss had become established across large sections of the clay tiles, particularly around the overlaps and areas where moisture had been retained.

Removing the bulk growth first allowed us to expose the underlying tile surfaces and properly assess the contamination beneath. It also meant that the subsequent cleaning stage could concentrate on the surface of the clay itself rather than simply blasting through a heavy layer of vegetation.

Controlled low‑pressure clay tile cleaning

Once the heavy moss had been removed, we carried out a controlled low‑pressure clean across the roof.

This stage addressed the remaining organic deposits, surface contamination and environmental dirt that had accumulated on the clay over several decades.

As the contamination was removed, the dark and heavily weathered appearance began giving way to the warm red and terracotta tones of the original clay tiles.

The aim throughout was not to use the maximum pressure available. It was to use the minimum effective pressure appropriate to the condition of the tiles, maintaining control while achieving the level of clean the surface was capable of.

Gutter clearance and downpipe checks

Chiltern EverGuard™ for ongoing protection

Cleaning the whole annex, not just the roof

Roof moss removal is inherently messy work. Even with careful working practices, debris and dirty water can reach elevations, windows and areas immediately surrounding the building.

We don’t regard a roof‑cleaning project as complete if the roof looks excellent but the building beneath it has been left dirty.

Once Marcus’s roof had been cleaned and treated, our team carried out a comprehensive clean‑down of the annex. The timber facades were cleaned, the working areas cleared and the exterior glass was cleaned using our pure‑water window‑cleaning system.

The gutters were clear, the downpipes had been checked and the property was left clean and ready for handover.

The complete clean was carried out by two Chiltern Surface Co technicians in a single day.

Dark brown when we arrived,
warm terracotta when we left

A clay roof recovered,
not simply a roof without moss

Clay Tile Roof Cleaning in
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire