Service
Roof cleaning in Wellington
Soft-wash roof treatment for concrete tile, Decramastic, Coloursteel and terracotta. Moss and lichen lifted without damaging the coating.
What's included
- Have a look at the roof first, type, age, valleys, problem areas, access
- Gutters cleared first (debris off the roof falls into the gutters)
- Soft-wash chemistry on at low pressure (200–500 PSI)
- Dwell time for moss and lichen lift, about 15–30 minutes
- Controlled rinse from the ridge down, never high pressure on the coating
- Valley and downpipe check
- Optional residual moss treatment for slower regrowth
- Before-and-after photos including pole-mounted or aerial angles where possible
Why this matters in Wellington
Wellington's combination of 1,200mm annual rainfall, prevailing southerlies and shaded south-facing slopes makes roof moss the most common roofing problem James sees across the region. Leave it untreated and the moss holds moisture against the roof coating, speeds up the degradation, and within 5–10 years shortens the useful life of a concrete tile or Decramastic roof significantly. Regular soft-wash cleaning is the cheapest form of roof life-extension going, far cheaper than replacing a roof early.
Roof cleaning in Wellington is one of the most under-booked maintenance jobs in the city. Most homeowners only think about the roof when there’s a visible green strip on the ridge or a leak shows up, by which point the moss has been holding moisture against the coating for years, and the useful life of the roof has already been shortened.
The right method is soft wash, never high pressure. Biodegradable moss-and-lichen treatment on at low pressure (200–500 PSI), given 15–30 minutes to dwell, then rinsed at controlled flow. High pressure damages the coating, forces water under the laps, and can crack older tiles, none of that happens with soft-wash chemistry.
Typical Wellington roof cleans run $280–750 depending on roof area, pitch and access. Most customers bundle the roof with a gutter clean (because debris washes into the gutters anyway) for a package discount, see Roof & Gutter Cleaning for the combo.
Recent jobs
Roof Cleaning, before and after.
during 
FAQ
Roof Cleaning, common questions
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Should I water-blast my roof or treat it?
Treat it. High-pressure water blasting damages roof coating, concrete tiles get pitted, Decramastic loses its chip layer, Coloursteel paint can blister, terracotta tiles can crack. It also forces water under the laps and into the roof cavity. Soft-wash chemistry lifts moss and lichen without any of that risk.
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How long does roof treatment take to show results?
Most moss and lichen visibly dies within 2–4 weeks of the soft-wash treatment, and rain rinses the dead stuff off over the following 4–12 weeks. The roof looks progressively cleaner over 1–3 months as nature finishes the job.
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Will moss and lichen come back?
Yes, that's normal in Wellington's wet climate. A proper soft-wash treatment typically keeps a roof clean for 12–18 months. South-facing roofs in suburbs like Newlands and Brooklyn closer to 12; north-facing properties closer to 18. A residual moss-treatment add-on stretches the clean by another 3–6 months.
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How much does roof cleaning cost in Wellington?
Typical residential roof cleans run $280–750 depending on roof area, pitch and access. Two-storey properties and trickier roof shapes (lots of valleys, dormers, etc.) sit at the higher end. Quoted off photos for simple roofs, on site for the trickier jobs.
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Can you clean roof and gutters together?
Yes, James'd recommend it. Roof debris washes into the gutters anyway, so cleaning both at once is more efficient and cheaper. See [Roof & Gutter](/services/roof-and-gutter-cleaning/) for the bundled service.
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What if my roof is asbestos?
James doesn't work on asbestos roofs, disturbing asbestos needs specialised licensing and gear. He'd refer you to an asbestos-licensed contractor.
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How often should a Wellington roof be cleaned?
Most concrete-tile and Decramastic roofs benefit from soft-wash treatment every 12–18 months. South-facing roofs (more moss-prone) on the 12-month end; north-facing or recently-treated roofs on the 18-month end.
Ready for a cleaner property?
Most quotes are back within a few hours, sometimes the same afternoon. Fill in the form, James will take a look at your address, and you'll get a straight price with no obligation.