7 Tips for Cleaning a Clay Roof

Can you clean a clay roof?

Clay roofing tiles are a great roofing material. They’re strong, weather resistant, and they last for decades, even hundreds of years. Whether your clay roof is new or old, the cleaning process requires care and attention. Clay tiles can easily be broken if you accidentally step on them. So, any attempts should ideally be through a professional roof cleaning company like ours. We share seven tips for those looking to clean and repair a clay roof.

Firstly, there are many roof companies that would prefer to replace rather than clean a clay roof. But a whole roof replacement could cost you thousands. If you have a clay roof, then use a specialist roof cleaning company with experience in clay roof tiles. This will save you money and give you peace of mind that your roof tiles will be restored to a high standard.

How to clean a clay roof

Below are seven tips for cleaning a clay roof:

1. Carry out a roof inspection

   In case you have any damaged or missing tiles, it’s important to carry out a full roof inspection. Using specialist equipment such as CAT ladders, we won’t step onto any aspect of the roof. Our team are fully trained on all health and safety protocols.

2. Clear outside areas and garden

   Make sure there are no garden ornaments or plant pots in the way of cleaning equipment in case of breakages. Our team will carefully move any items out of the way. We will also lay down protective tarpaulins to keep your property tidy.

3. Remove any debris from the roof

   There are lots of different types of debris that can become stuck in between roof and ridge tiles, as well as guttering and downpipes. When preparing to clean your roof, our team will remove twigs, leaves, old bird nests, and any other items we find.

4. Source and replace clay tiles

   If you have any damaged or missing clay tiles, we can source and replace these for you. Unless you have a specialist network of suppliers like we do, it can be hard to find exact tile matches. We’re experts at refurbing clay tiles for listed buildings.

5. Remove micro roots and clean the roof

   Micro roots must be removed, or they can cause your tiles to crack over time. A fungicidal wash needs to be applied to kill any organic matter, such as moss, algae and lichen. Our team clean each area carefully with water (no damaging power jets).

6. Repoint and recement the roof

   If you have missing roof tiles, you might also need to repair the mortar joints between bricks or tiles to prevent leaks from water penetration. Known as ‘repointing’, our team can recement these areas, including your ridge tiles and chimneys.

7. Apply a protective roof treatment

   Clay roof tiles need to be treated with a protective coating to protect against weather conditions and UV rays. We use the RENOTEC® Roof Coating clear option, which has a 10-year guarantee and shows the natural aesthetic of the clay roof tiles.

Professional clay roof restoration

Clay tiles can easily be damaged, so always take care and never take any risks when it comes to cleaning your roof. As we specialise in clay roof refurbishment you can rest assured that your clay tiles will be carefully restored to their former glory. Whether your home is a modern or listed building, we can repair and clean clay roof tiles. Our aim is to help you preserve the aesthetic of your property and help protect it from the elements.