Professional moss removal and roof cleaning across Leicester and Leicestershire. Moss, lichen and algae cause tile degradation and block valleys and gutters. We soft-wash, treat and clear roofs safely without high-pressure washing that damages tiles.
Covering Leicester and all of Leicestershire.
Moss accumulation is a significant problem across Leicester's older housing stock, particularly on north and north-east facing slopes where shade and retained moisture create ideal growing conditions. Victorian clay plain tiles in Highfields and Belgrave are particularly susceptible — the surface texture of old clay tile holds moisture and moss spores far more effectively than modern smooth-surface tiles.
Unchecked moss growth causes three distinct problems: the mass retains moisture against the tile surface accelerating frost damage to the tile face; root penetration opens hairline cracks in tile surfaces; and moss accumulating in valleys and at eaves blocks drainage causing water to back up under tiles. We use a soft-wash approach — low-pressure biocide application that kills moss and lichen at the root without the high-pressure washing that fractures tile surfaces and voids manufacturers' guarantees.
Manual removal of heavy moss accumulation. Soft-wash biocide treatment applied to entire roof surface. Valley and gutter clearing. Ridge pointing inspection included. Treatment effective for 3–5 years before re-application required. We do not use high-pressure washing on any tile type.
Moss removal and biocide treatment on a standard 3-bed semi in Leicester costs £300–£600. Larger detached properties run £500–£1,000. Valley and gutter clearing can be combined for a package price
"North-facing slope on our Stoneygate detached had heavy moss that had been building for years. Soft-washed and biocide treated. Ridge pointing inspection found two failed sections - repaired same visit. Very thorough."
"Victorian clay tiles on our Highfields terrace rear slope were covered. They cleared manually then treated. Valleys were blocked too - cleared as part of the job. Roof looks completely different."
"Annual moss treatment on our Oadby bungalow. North-facing roof needs it every few years. These guys do it properly with the right chemicals rather than just pressure washing. Tiles are in great condition as a result."
Soft-wash moss removal and biocide treatment on a standard 3-bed semi in Leicester costs £300-£600. Larger properties run £500-£1,000. We include valley clearing and ridge inspection. Free written quotes for all properties.
Yes. Moss retains moisture against tile surfaces, accelerating frost spalling on clay tiles. Root penetration opens hairline cracks. In valleys and at eaves, moss blocks drainage and causes water to back up under tiles. Removing moss before it becomes heavy prevents tile damage and extends roof life significantly.
North and north-east facing slopes in Leicester receive less direct sunlight and remain damp longer after rain. This creates ideal conditions for moss and lichen growth. Properties in the Soar Valley and lower-lying Leicester suburbs see more moss accumulation than elevated areas due to the persistent low-level dampness.
No. High-pressure washing damages the surface of clay and concrete tiles, opens joints in ridge mortar, and strips biocide treatments. We only use soft-wash low-pressure application, which kills moss at the root without mechanical damage. Manufacturers' tile guarantees are voided by high-pressure washing.
Soft-wash biocide treatment on a standard 3-bed semi in Leicester takes 2-4 hours including manual pre-clearance of heavy accumulations and valley clearing. We work from tower scaffold or ladders depending on roof height. The property is fully usable throughout.
Yes, eventually. Biocide treatment kills existing moss at the root and inhibits regrowth for 3-5 years under typical Leicester conditions. North-facing slopes with heavy tree cover may need re-treatment every 3 years; more exposed or south-facing slopes may go 5+ years between treatments. We advise on a realistic maintenance schedule for your specific roof on the survey.
Our soft-wash approach does not damage tiles. High-pressure washing damages tile surfaces and is not something we use. The biocide products we apply are approved for use on clay and concrete roof tiles and do not affect the tile substrate. We never use acid-based cleaners on roof tiles.
Yes. We guarantee the biocide treatment will kill existing moss growth. Dead moss clears naturally over 4–8 weeks through rainfall. The residual biocide action inhibits regrowth for the treatment period specified in the quote — typically 3–5 years on standard Leicester residential roofs. We don't guarantee against regrowth if the underlying conditions (heavy tree cover, persistent shade) are extreme, but we do guarantee the treatment effectiveness for the agreed period.
Leicester's Soar Valley location creates persistent low-level humidity that favours moss growth on roof surfaces. This combines with the established residential tree canopy on streets in Stoneygate, Clarendon Park, Oadby and West Knighton to produce shaded, damp conditions on north-facing roof slopes that moss thrives in. The most affected roof surfaces are the north and north-east facing rear slopes of Victorian clay plain tile terraces under dense tree cover.
Moss causes damage through three mechanisms: in the short term, accumulation at valleys reduces drainage capacity, causing water to back up under tiles during heavy rain; in the medium term, moss root penetration opens hairline cracks in clay tile faces increasing tile porosity; and in the long term, sustained growth significantly increases the water retention capacity of the tile surface, accelerating frost spalling and shortening tile lifespan. The accumulated cost of the resulting repairs typically exceeds the cost of a biocide treatment programme several times over a 15-year period.
| Property | Cost |
|---|---|
| 2-bed terrace | £200–£400 |
| 3-bed semi | £300–£600 |
| 4-bed detached | £500–£1,000 |
Moss is a maintenance issue, not just an aesthetic one. On Leicester's Victorian clay plain tile stock, 15–20 years of uncontrolled moss growth causes: valley blockage leading to water back-up under tiles; frost spalling of clay tile faces where moss root penetration opens hairline cracks; and gutter blockage leading to wall saturation. The cumulative repair cost from these secondary problems typically exceeds the cost of a biocide treatment programme several times over a 15-year period.
| Property Type | Treatment Cost | Retreatment Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 2-bed terrace | £200–£400 | 3–5 years |
| 3-bed semi | £300–£600 | 3–5 years |
| 4-bed detached | £500–£1,000 | 4–6 years |
Annual cost of a biocide maintenance programme: approximately £80–£200 per year amortised. Annual cost of ignoring moss until repair problems emerge: significantly higher. We include a ridge and valley inspection with every moss treatment visit at no extra charge.
Our quoting process is straightforward and quick. Call 0116 319 1348 to book a free survey — we typically confirm a visit within 24–48 hours and can often attend within the same week for standard jobs. The survey takes 20–45 minutes depending on the scope of work, and we provide a written itemised quote within 48 hours of the visit.
The written quote specifies every element of the work: scope, materials by name, access method, guarantee period and payment terms. We never start work without written acceptance of the quote. We don't require payment in full before work starts — a reasonable deposit of 10–25% covers material ordering, with final payment on satisfactory completion. We accept bank transfer and card payment and provide a VAT invoice on all work.
Once you accept the written quote, we schedule the work and confirm a start date. For larger jobs involving scaffold, we confirm scaffold erection dates separately. We contact you the working day before the start date to confirm the team is attending. On the day, the lead roofer will introduce themselves and walk through the planned work before starting. Any unexpected findings — structural timber problems, additional lead work required — are communicated immediately with a written price before any additional work is carried out. We don't make decisions on site without your knowledge and approval.
No call-out fees. No obligation. Local Leicester roofers.
0116 319 1348 ✉ Email Us