A roof in Henley often has more history than the rest of the house. Old handmade clay tiles, weathered to soft reds and browns, cover many of the cottages and townhouses here, and they need very different treatment from a modern concrete tile. Our roof cleaning in Henley-on-Thames removes moss by hand and by careful scraping, followed by low-pressure rinsing where it's safe. We never blast tiles with a high-pressure lance, because that strips the surface and lets water in. After cleaning, a biocide treatment slows the moss coming back. We replace slipped or broken tiles, check the ridge and roofline, and clear the gutters afterwards so the debris doesn't stay up there.
Why roof cleaning matters in Henley-on-Thames
Moss loves Henley. The river keeps the air damp, the Chiltern woods throw shade over gardens on the western side of town, and plenty of roofs face north or sit under trees for much of the day. Put those together with porous clay tiles and you get thick cushions of moss that hold water against the roof, lift tile edges and wash down into gutters. On older roofs around the town centre, Harpsden and Rotherfield Greys, the tiles themselves may be well over a century old, so the method matters as much as the result. Hand removal takes longer but leaves the tile surface intact. If your property is listed or in the Henley conservation area, we'd suggest checking with South Oxfordshire District Council before any repair that changes materials. For a straightforward clean, biocide treatment and a few replacement tiles to match, we'll explain what we've found before we start.
What our roof cleaning service in Henley-on-Thames includes
- Careful moss removal by hand
- Low-pressure roof washing
- Biocide treatment to slow regrowth
- Slipped and broken tiles replaced
- Ridge and roofline checks
- Gutters cleared after every roof clean
Roof cleaning across Henley-on-Thames
Our roof cleaning service covers Henley-on-Thames and the RG9 postcode, including Northfield End, Badgemore, Harpsden, Shiplake, Lower Shiplake, Rotherfield Greys, Bix and Remenham. For a free, no-obligation quote call 01344 578902 or send us a few details.
Roof Cleaning & Repairs in Henley-on-Thames — FAQs
Is pressure washing safe for old clay tile roofs in Henley?
High-pressure washing isn't, which is why we don't do it. It can erode the face of older clay tiles and push water under them. We remove moss by hand and scraping, use low pressure only where it's suitable, and finish with a biocide treatment to slow regrowth.
Can you replace broken tiles on a period house in Henley?
Yes, we replace slipped and broken tiles as part of our roof work and try to match the existing tiles as closely as possible. If the house is listed, it's sensible to check consent requirements with the council first, particularly if matching tiles have to be sourced.
How long does it last?
With a biocide treatment, most roofs stay clear for several years.
Do you do roof repairs?
We replace slipped or broken tiles and fix minor roofline issues while we are on the roof.
