Accredited & certified
Independently audited and certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards for quality, environmental and occupational health & safety management.
Altitude Roofing provides specialist roof moss and lichen removal across Edinburgh and the Lothians. Soft wash, DOFF steam, biowash and post-clean sealing, matched to your roof type and the severity of growth. Get in touch through our contact form for a free, no-obligation survey and written quote
We've been maintaining and cleaning roofs across Edinburgh, Musselburgh, Dalkeith, Livingston and the wider Lothians since 2014. Edinburgh's climate is a particular problem for moss: around 700mm of annual rainfall combined with persistent dampness, frequent light rain and high humidity means surfaces rarely dry out, and mild winters let moss grow almost year-round. Most Edinburgh roofs need professional moss removal every two to three years.
We assess each roof individually, matching the cleaning method to the tile material and the severity of growth. DOFF steam cleaning for natural slate and heritage properties, soft wash with biocide for modern concrete and clay tiles, biowash for fragile or aged tiles where even soft washing could cause harm. Optional post-clean sealing treatment slows regrowth by up to four years under typical conditions.
Independently audited and certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards for quality, environmental and occupational health & safety management.
The biggest risk with moss removal isn't the moss, it's the wrong cleaning method on the wrong roof. Pressure washing natural slate causes delamination. Heavy chemical biocides on aged tiles cause surface damage. We assess each roof individually and match the method to the material: DOFF steam for slate and heritage properties, soft wash with biocide for modern concrete and clay tiles, biowash for the most fragile aged tiles.
Every job is carried out by our own employed roofers to ISO 9001 quality standards. If any issue arises within 12 months, we return and put it right at no charge.
We assess each roof individually and match the cleaning method to the tile material and the severity of growth. The table below shows when each method is the right call.
| Method | How it works | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOFF steam | High-temperature steam system | Natural slate, heritage roofs | Widely used on sensitive heritage surfaces per HES guidance |
| Soft wash | Low-pressure biocide treatment | Modern concrete and clay tiles | Kills organic growth at the root without tile damage |
| Biowash | Non-pressure chemical treatment | Fragile or aged tiles | Left in place to work over several weeks, no rinsing |
| Post-clean sealing | Clear sealer applied after cleaning | Slowing future regrowth | Up to 4 years regrowth delay under typical conditions |
Every moss removal job follows the same six-step process. Edinburgh's climate keeps moss growing year-round, so the methodical approach is what produces a long-lasting clean rather than a quick surface result.
We visit your property, assess your roof, its material, condition and how we'll reach it.
We confirm the price in writing. Most roofs are scheduled within 1–2 weeks of accepting the quote, and most jobs are cleared in a single day.
As covered above. No galvanised nails. Galvanised corrodes within 15–20 years on a natural slate roof — copper or stainless lasts for the full life of the slate. Adds 30+ years to roof life.
Method matched to your roof: DOFF steam for slate and heritage, soft wash for modern concrete and clay, biowash for fragile aged tiles.
We clear debris from the roof and gutters, and photograph the finished result for your records.
We advise on how frequently your specific roof should be retreated and what preventative measures are available, including optional post-clean sealing.
Roof moss removal costs vary by roof size, material, severity of growth and access complexity. Smaller flat sections sit at the lower end, large detached properties and heavily mossed heritage roofs run higher.
What's included in every job:
We assess the roof, confirm method, give you a fixed price before any work starts.
Emailed to you, with debris bagged and removed from site.
DOFF, soft wash or biowash, chosen to match your tiles.
We clear loosened debris from gutters as standard, no extra charge.
Altitude Roofing covers Edinburgh city-wide, including Craigleith, Morningside, Leith, Corstorphine, Marchmont, Bruntsfield and Stockbridge. Our service area extends across East Lothian including Musselburgh and Dalkeith, plus Livingston and the wider West Lothian. Many Edinburgh properties we treat have natural slate, which is why DOFF steam is one of our most common recommendations, but we also handle concrete tile, clay pantile and flat-roof felt.
Edinburgh's climate keeps moss growing year-round. In our experience, north-facing roofs can see visible regrowth within 12–18 months, while south-facing open roofs may last 3+ years between treatments. We work in Edinburgh's narrow tenement lanes, conservation areas and restricted-parking streets every week, handling council permits for road access where needed and bringing compact equipment for properties a full-size cherry picker cannot reach.
A few of the questions we get most often from Edinburgh homeowners about moss and lichen removal.
Tell us your postcode and roof type, and we'll call you back with a date for your free survey. Or call 0131 203 3027 to speak to us directly.
Free survey, fixed-price quote, no pressure. We'll visit anywhere in Edinburgh or the Lothians within 24 hours.