More Than a Pressure Wash
Roof cleaning and painting is a two-stage process. The first stage is biological removal: scraping, soft-washing and chemically treating the tile surface to kill and lift moss, algae, lichen and general soiling. Done correctly, it leaves tiles clean down to the surface without disturbing ridge mortar or cracking tiles.
The second stage — roof painting — is optional but valuable when tiles are weathered, porous or have lost their colour. A breathable, elastomeric roof coating is applied by brush or spray, sealing the tile surface while still allowing moisture vapour to escape from the roof structure. It should never be confused with an ordinary exterior masonry paint, which can trap moisture and cause more damage than it prevents.
Both services work alongside our roof repairs in Cavan: we check ridge mortar, flashing and tiles as part of the job. If there are structural issues — cracked slates, slipped tiles, failed pointing — we identify them before painting over them. Where repairs are needed we can carry them out or advise you accordingly.
We cover Cavan, Meath, Navan and Ashbourne. Falcon Roofing and Building is fully insured and VAT registered.
What's Actually Happening on Your Roof
These are the issues we diagnose on arrival. Several often appear together, and each has a specific cause rather than just "the roof is old."
Moss Infestation
Moss establishes itself in the textured surface of concrete or clay tiles, particularly on north-facing or shaded slopes. Its root-like rhizoids penetrate the tile surface and hold moisture against it. On concrete tiles this accelerates surface erosion. On any tile type it can lift and dislodge ridge mortar over time.
Algae & Black Streaking
Dark streaks running down tiles are almost always Gloeocapsa magma — a cyanobacterium that feeds on limestone-based tile materials and calcium in concrete. It spreads quickly in our wet Irish climate. The streaks are not just unsightly; the organism holds moisture and accelerates surface breakdown. It is killed by biocide treatment, not washed off by rain.
Lichen Colonies
Lichen is harder to remove than moss or algae because it physically bonds to the tile surface. It appears as flat, crusty patches — pale grey, yellow-green or orange. Standard pressure washing rarely removes it completely. It requires a biocide dwell period, mechanical loosening and a second treatment. Left unchecked it eats into the tile glaze and surface.
Failed & Faded Tile Coating
Concrete tiles lose their surface sealant over 15–20 years, becoming porous and prone to absorbing water. This shows as widespread fading, a chalky surface or patches of spalling. In Cavan and Meath, where winters bring freeze-thaw cycles, water absorbed into a porous tile can fracture it from within. Cleaning followed by a breathable roof coating stabilises the surface.
Blocked & Overflowing Gutters
Heavy moss growth washes debris into gutters at every rain. Blocked gutters overflow against fascias, soffits and walls — causing rot, damp staining and structural damage that is expensive to repair. Roof cleaning should always be combined with clearing gutters. See our gutter repairs in Cavan if gutters are already damaged.
Crumbling Ridge Mortar
Ridge tiles sit on a mortar bed at the apex of the roof. Moss growth and freeze-thaw action break down this pointing over time. Loose or absent ridge mortar is a structural problem: ridge tiles can shift in wind, letting water in. We check ridge mortar during every clean and will flag any that needs repointing — or carry out the repair as part of the visit.
The Process, Step by Step
Every roof clean we carry out follows this sequence. Cutting corners at any stage shortens the result — particularly skipping the biocide dwell or painting before the surface is fully dry.
Inspection & Assessment
We walk the roof (or inspect from scaffolding / platform where needed) before starting. We check tile condition, ridge mortar, flashings, chimney pointing and fascia condition. Any structural issues are flagged before we clean. This prevents painting over a problem that will appear again within months.
Hand Scraping & Dry Brushing
Heavy moss growth is scraped and brushed off dry before any water is applied. Wetting dense moss first makes it harder to remove and pushes debris into gutters. Dry removal is slower but more thorough and less damaging to ridge mortar and tile laps.
Biocide Application & Dwell
A professional-grade biocide solution is applied across the whole roof surface. The product needs to dwell — typically 30–60 minutes — to kill algae, lichen and any remaining moss spores at root level. This step is what prevents rapid regrowth. Skipping it (as some operators do) means moss is back within 12–18 months.
Low-Pressure Washing
The treated surface is washed down using controlled low pressure. We use enough pressure to remove the loosened material and biocide residue without disturbing ridge mortar or cracking tiles. On older or fragile slates the pressure is reduced further and more hand work is used. Gutters are cleared at this stage.
Repairs & Pointing (Where Required)
With the roof clean, any cracked tiles, slipped slates or failed ridge mortar are clearly visible. Minor repairs — ridge repointing, tile replacement, flashing sealing — are addressed at this stage before any coating is applied. See our slate roof repairs and chimney repairs if more work is identified.
Roof Painting & Sealing (Where Applicable)
Once the surface is fully clean and dry — this may require a return visit if the weather has been wet — a breathable elastomeric roof coating is applied. Two coats are standard. The coating fills hairline surface cracks, restores the tile colour and seals the surface against water ingress while allowing the tile and roof structure to breathe normally.
Materials & Equipment We Use
- Professional biocide formulations — not domestic algae killers
- Variable-pressure washing equipment (adjustable per tile type)
- Breathable elastomeric roof coatings — not standard masonry paint
- Airless spray equipment for even, consistent coating application
- Scaffold towers or platform access where required for safety
- Long-handled tools and brushes for ridge and valley detail work
Before & After
A properly cleaned and painted roof looks dramatically different — but more importantly, it performs differently. These shots show the surface quality difference a full clean and treatment delivers.
What Affects the Cost
We quote every job individually because no two roofs are the same. Here are the factors that genuinely move the price, and what our quote will always include.
Roof Size & Pitch
Larger roofs take longer to clean, treat and paint — straightforwardly more material and labour. Steeper pitches require more careful movement and sometimes additional access equipment, which adds time and cost. We measure properly rather than estimating by eye.
Severity of Growth
A roof with light algae staining takes a fraction of the time that a heavily mossy roof with lichen colonies requires. Dense growth means more hand scraping time, a longer biocide dwell and sometimes a second pass. This is the most variable cost factor from one house to the next.
Tile Type & Condition
Concrete tiles, clay tiles and natural slates each respond differently to cleaning products and pressure. Fragile or older slates need lower pressure and more hand work. Porous concrete tiles in poor condition may need a primer before the topcoat. Tile type and condition affect both method and materials cost.
Access Requirements
A two-storey house on a tight site where a scaffold tower cannot be easily set up takes longer to work safely than a bungalow with open ground around it. Dormer windows, roof lights and complex roof shapes all add complexity. We assess access on the quote visit.
Number of Coats & Product Grade
Standard roof painting is two coats. If tiles are very porous, a consolidating primer coat is recommended first. Some clients request a premium long-life coating over a standard product. The number of coats and product specification directly affect materials cost and drying time between visits.
Repairs Identified on the Day
If ridge repointing, cracked tile replacement or flashing repairs are needed, these are quoted separately and clearly before any work begins. We never carry out additional work without your agreement. Minor repairs done at the same visit save a second call-out fee and protect the coating investment.
Honest Reasons to Choose Us
We are not going to make up numbers or invent testimonials. Here is what we can honestly tell you about how we work.
Fully Insured & VAT Registered
Public liability insurance is in place for every job. We are VAT registered, which means proper invoices and a contractor you can verify. Ask for documentation at any point — we provide it without hesitation.
We Inspect Before We Quote
We assess the roof in person before giving a price. That means the quote you receive is accurate — not a low figure to get the job followed by extras on the day. If we find problems beyond cleaning, we tell you clearly before starting.
Correct Method for Your Tile Type
We do not apply the same pressure to a 1970s slate that we would to a modern concrete tile. The cleaning method is matched to the roof in front of us — not to whatever is fastest. Using the wrong pressure or product causes damage that is expensive to fix.
Clear, Itemised Pricing
Cleaning, biocide treatment, painting and any repairs are quoted and invoiced as separate line items. You choose what you want done and nothing is added without your agreement. No surprises when the invoice arrives.
Local to Cavan & Meath
We are based in Cavan and cover Meath, Navan and Ashbourne regularly. We understand local property types — from older bungalows with concrete interlocking tiles to newer estates with profiled clay tiles — and the weather conditions that drive moss growth in this part of Ireland.
Full Roof Service in One Visit
Cleaning, treatment, minor repairs, gutter clearing and painting can all be addressed in a coordinated visit. That is less disruption for you and a more efficient job. Where painting needs a return visit for drying time, we schedule it clearly upfront.
Areas We Cover
We carry out roof cleaning and painting across Cavan and into Meath. If your town is not listed below, call us — we may still be able to help depending on the job.
Our roofing team in Navan and our roofing service in Ashbourne cover the full range of roof cleaning, treatment and painting for both domestic and small commercial properties. If you are in Cavan town or the surrounding villages, we are your local team.
We also carry out flat roof repairs in Cavan and the wider area — if your property has a flat roof extension alongside a tiled main roof, we can assess both in a single visit.
Common Questions About Roof Cleaning & Painting in Cavan
Straight answers to what homeowners in Cavan and Meath actually ask us before booking.
How often should a roof in Cavan be cleaned?
Will pressure washing damage my roof tiles?
What is the difference between roof cleaning and roof painting?
How long does roof paint last in Irish conditions?
Does roof cleaning or painting affect my home insurance?
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