Clay Tile Roof Cleaning and Painting - Northampton (March 2024)

One of our 2024 exterior projects was a full cleaning and painting of the clay tile roof. The job took place in March 2024 and was for a residential property in Northampton. We had to remove moss, pressure-wash the tile surfaces, prepare the surfaces, and paint the roof tiles. The goal was to give the roof a refreshed, even finish. Throughout the job, we’ve used a MEWP (cherry picker) for access.

The project, at a glance

• Location: Northampton
• When: March 2024
• Roof type: Clay tiles
• Scope: Cleaning + painting
• Access: MEWP / cherry picker

The Challenge

Over several years, heavy moss and organic buildup had collected on the clay tile roof. Moisture is retained most on north-facing slopes and in the valleys, so we weren’t surprised to find moss growth more concentrated in those areas. Along with cleaning, the tiles needed painting to restore a refreshed, uniform appearance. Across the roof, the original tile colour had faded unevenly. Accessing from ladders was neither safe nor practical for the job. Height and roof geometry were the main reasons. Therefore, we had to use a MEWP (cherry picker) to access all areas of the roof safely. This way, we were also able to work consistently across sections.

What was our strategy?

We positioned the cherry picker to ensure safe, systematic access across all roof sections. This way, we obtained a stable, elevated position for cleaning and painting. Before any pressure washing, we manually scraped thick moss and cleared it from the tile surfaces. This way, large debris didn’t block gutters and downpipes while we rinsed the surfaces. Once we removed the bulk of the moss, we used pressure washing to strip remaining organic growth, deeply set dirt, and surface contamination from the clay tiles. We controlled the pressure to clean the tiles without damaging them. With the tiles cleaned and dried, we were able to prepare them for painting. Before we applied the paint, we removed any loose material and ensured the surface was level. Our team applied the roof paint to the cleaned tiles, achieving an even, refreshed finish. The painting covered the patchy, faded colours caused by years of weathering. Across the entire roof, the colour was consistent, looking like new.

Results

The roof was no longer heavily mossy and faded. We left it clean, uniform, and freshly painted. The transformation was impressive and improved the property’s kerb appeal. Plus, the painted finish will provide an extra layer of weather protection for the clay tiles for years to come.

Related Services

• Roof Cleaning