Why use a fungicidal wash for roof tiles?

Why use a fungicidal wash to clean your roof?

A fungicidal wash for roof tiles kills micro-roots, algae and lichen, which can grow into the cracks and pores of a roof tile, which can cause damage. Used as part of a deep clean, it helps to prevent regrowth, when used in conjunction with a suitable, protective roof coating.

It’s always better to use a professional roof cleaning company to apply a fungicidal wash to your roof tiles. This will give you the opportunity to spot any remedial work and repairs before you treat your roof, including any tiles that need replacing or repointing work.

Our team use RENOTEC® anti-fungal treatment, which is the same brand as the protective coating we use. If your roof hasn’t been professionally cleaned, and the micro-roots and spores are not killed properly, then the protective RENOTEC® Roof Coating won’t work.

Preparing the roof

The roof needs to be cleaned thoroughly to remove any moss, lichen and algae. Some companies offer what they call a “soft wash”, which does not work as well. This usually involves cleaning the roof with a pressure washer or scraping off the moss with a blade. Although the roof might look okay on first glance, the effect won’t last long. These poorer methods do not offer anywhere near as much deep cleaning or protection for your roof.

Using the anti-fungicidal wash and a subsequent anti-fungicidal roof coating could leave your roof looking like new, even after 10 years. If you opt for a cheaper soft wash, your roof will return to how it was previously after only a couple of years or so.

Although it is possible to buy a cheap anti-fungal wash from a DIY retailer, we have found these products do not work as well. We use German brand RENOTEC® because their products are the best in the business, offering our clients long-term value. The final RENOTEC® Roof Coat also has a 10-year guarantee. But this only applies if the roof was cleaned properly with an anti-fungal wash in the first place.

Benefits of an anti-fungal treatment

Here are some key benefits of using a fungicidal wash on your roof:

• You won’t have to blast your roof so heavily when cleaning, reducing the risk of broken roof tiles. Our team do not use high pressure jets for this very reason.
• Your roof tiles could look as good as new, once any organic matter has been cleaned away, helping to maintain the aesthetic appeal of your roof for years to come.
• It’s ideal for deep cleaning more fragile roofing, such as clay roof tiles used on listed buildings. Moss, lichen and algae often grows in cracked clay roof tiles.

After applying the fungicidal wash

After cleaning the roof and applying the anti-fungal treatment, our team apply two coats of RENOTEC® Roof Coating. Backed by a 10-year guarantee, this highly effective roof coating protects the tiles for the future by helping to prevent the regrowth of organic matter.

If your old roof tiles appear discoloured and patchy once they’re cleaned, you can use RENOTEC® Roof Coating to re-colour the tiles. There are several shades to choose from, including Tile Red, Anthracite, Dark Brown, and many more. This roof coating has a water repellent surface to protect your roof tiles from water ingress and surface erosion.

Using a RENOTEC® fungicidal wash and roof coating will keep your roof looking its best for a decade or more. After that time, if you notice any dirt or discolouration, our team will perform maintenance activities, wiping the tiles down to restore their aesthetic appearance.