Cleaning your roof does more than just keep up appearances. Regular roof cleaning helps prevent the buildup of grime and debris, extends the life span of your roof, and increases your home’s curb appeal. Roof cleaning can also eliminate unsightly streaks and stains, making your home look pristine. It is essential to recognize when your roof requires replacement or minor repairs.
The only major downside to roof cleaning is the price. Some roof materials are more expensive to clean than others, and certain cleaning techniques can even damage your roof. To help you determine your next roof cleaning cost, I’ll explain everything that can affect roof cleaning prices.
What Is the Cost of Roof Cleaning?
Depending on the cleaning method, a roof cleaning can cost between $0.15 to $0.70 per square foot. Most American roofs are about 1,700 square feet, so the national average cost to clean a roof is between $255 and $1,190.
The following table shows a more complete range of roof cleaning costs and assumes the roof is around 1,700 square feet:
| Low-end | National Average | High-end |
| $170–$250 | $255–$510 | $1,020–$1,190 |
What Is the Cost of Roof Cleaning by Cleaning Method?
The three most important factors in the cost of professional roof cleaning are the type of cleaning method, the roof size, and the roof materials. A quick workover with a leaf blower costs significantly less than a chemical or high-power wash. Below, I’ll explain how each roof cleaning method works, along with the associated costs of each.
| Cleaning Method | Price Per Square Foot | Cleaning Cost Total (for a 1,700-square-foot roof) |
| Leaf blowing | $0.05–$0.10 | $85–$170 |
| High-pressure wash | $0.20–$0.60 | $340–$1,020 |
| Low-pressure wash | $0.20–$0.70 | $340–$1,190 |
| Soft wash | $0.30–$0.75 | $510–$1,275 |
| Chemical wash | $0.20–$0.30 | $340–$510 |
Leaf Blowing
Leaf blowing isn’t typically a service done by itself. Instead, a roof cleaner sometimes needs to remove leaves from a roof before power washing it. When this happens, they’ll charge the homeowner an additional $0.05 to $0.10 per square foot.
High-Pressure Wash
This method uses pressurized water to remove grime, moss, dirt, and other debris. High-pressure washing is a medium-cost option that is free from chemicals and highly effective at removing most gunk from your rooftop.
Unfortunately, high-pressure washing can damage most common roofing materials by removing granules and knocking shingles loose. High-pressure washing is so aggressive that it can even void the warranty on new roofs. This is why ensuring that a trained professional knows exactly how to do it is essential. Plus, certain roofing materials tolerate high-pressure washing better than others. High-pressure washing typically costs between $340 to $1,020 for an average-size roof.
Low-Pressure Wash
Low-pressure washing uses a lower PSI, usually around 1,000, to clean debris from roofs. This method takes longer and is pricier than high-pressure cleaning, but it’s more gentle on roof shingles.
Low-pressure cleaning is strong enough to remove most debris, and roof cleaning companies can apply detergents or other cleaning solutions to remove stains or hard-set grime. Low-pressure cleaning can cost anywhere from $340 to $1,190.
Soft Wash
Soft wash roof cleaning is the most expensive and labor-intensive clean option, but it’s usable on all roof types. Soft washing combines extremely low-pressure sprays (around 100 PSI, the strength of a garden hose) with manual brushing and low-impact cleaning solutions (like bleach) to remove gunk and stains. The cost range for soft washing is $510 to $1,275, but most services charge around $700.
Chemical Wash
Chemical washes use anti-fungicidal and antibacterial cleaning products to slowly kill mold, mildew, algae, and fungi. Since chemical washing doesn’t use pressurized sprays, it doesn’t remove dirt, grime, or debris — it only targets living material like moss, mold, or algae. This method is suitable for most roofs and is relatively inexpensive, around $340 to $510.
What Does a Roof Cleaning Cost by Roof Size?
After the washing method, size is the next principal price determiner in your roof’s cleaning cost. Larger roofs require more labor hours, cleaning materials, and crew members. The below table breaks down the average cost to clean roofs based on size.
| Roof Size (In Square Feet) | Price Range | Average Cost |
| 1,000 | $150–$700 | $425 |
| 1,500 | $225–$1,050 | $638 |
| 2.000 | $300–$1,400 | $850 |
| 2,500 | $375–$1,750 | $1,063 |
| 3,000 | $450–$2,100 | $1,275 |
| 3,500 | $525–$2,450 | $1,488 |
| 4,000 | $600–$2,800 | $1,700 |
| 4,500 | $675–$3,150 | $1,913 |
| 5,000 | $750–$3,500 | $2,125 |
How Much Does a Roof Cleaning Cost by Roof Type?
Roof material is the final major factor in its cleaning costs, with cleaning some types of roof material, like spring cleaning a metal roof, costing hundreds of dollars more than other materials. Some roofs, like asphalt, wood shake, cement, or clay tile, are susceptible to damage from high-pressure sprays and require manual or chemical cleaning.
The summary below details out the best methods for cleaning each type of roof shingle and the total treatment price (explore our article to see our breakdown of roof shingles).
| Roof Type | Ideal Wash Method | Cost Per Square Foot | Average Cost Total |
| Asphalt shingle roof | Soft wash | $0.30–$0.75 | $893 |
| Architectural shingle roof | Soft wash | $0.30–$0.75 | $893 |
| Clay tile roof | Soft wash | $0.30–$0.75 | $893 |
| Wood shake roof | Low-pressure wash | $0.20–$0.70 | $765 |
| Metal roof | High-pressure wash | $0.20–$0.60 | $680 |
| Concrete tile roof | Chemical wash | $0.20–$0.30 | $425 |
| Slate tile roof | Low-pressure wash | $0.20–$0.70 | $765 |
| Rubber roof | Chemical wash | $0.20–$0.30 | $425 |
| Tar and gravel roof | Chemical wash | $0.20–$0.30 | $425 |
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Which Factors Impact How Much a Roof Cleaning Costs?
In addition to roof size, treatment method, and material, several other factors can also impact your roof cleaning cost. From your house’s number of stories to labor costs, roof condition, and add-ons, each element can contribute a surprising amount to your final bill.
Number of Stories
Multiple-storied homes are more expensive to clean for two reasons. First, homes with more tiers and stories have more square footage to clean. Second, homes with multiple stories are taller and more difficult to manage, increasing the risk factors associated with working on them. This is why multiple-storied houses require more labor hours, material costs, and higher service fees. On average, homes with more than one story pay $0.10 more per square foot.
Labor Costs
Labor comprises the vast majority of the cost of roof cleaning. The price of labor can vary wildly, as region, current inflation rates, and numerous other factors play a part. The national average labor cost for roof cleaners ranges from $17 to $35 per hour.
Additional Roofing and Cleaning Services
Many roof cleaning companies also offer other services. Standard add-on services may include things like moss and stain removal, and larger companies can provide gutter cleaning and roof repair.
Here are some of the most common additional services and what you can expect to pay for them.
| Service | Cost |
| Gutter cleaning | $115–$450 |
| Gutter repair/replacement | $1,000–$7,000 |
| Moss removal and prevention treatment | $135–$300 |
| Roof repair | $1,000–$4,500 |
| Sealing | $1–$4 per square foot |
| Stain removal and prevention | $50 to $200 |
| Solar panel washing services | $150 to $350 |
Roof Coating
Roof cleaning and repair companies typically offer coating services. Roof coatings are applied after the cleaning process and can carry numerous benefits. Some, like sealants, help prolong your roof’s life span by keeping water out, while others, like zinc strips or powder, are used to prevent specific problems, such as moss buildup.
The cost of the coatings varies depending on the specific one you choose, with some as cheap as $0.05 per square foot and others as high as $5 per square foot.
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What Are the Benefits of Investing in a Roof Cleaning?
Roof cleanings help prevent other, more expensive problems. Moss, lichen, and mildew can grow on poorly maintained rooftops, weakening seals and resulting in roof leaks. Over time, these roof leaks lead to water damage, further degrading surrounding structures. Additionally, the accumulation of dirt and debris can disrupt water flow, causing even more water damage.
By scheduling regular roof cleanings, you can prevent buildup that damages your roof, keeping it functioning at peak performance (and looking great, too). Furthermore, you’ll save money in the long run, as the damage caused by leaks and grime buildup is much more expensive to manage than the cost of a roof cleaning.
Professional Vs. DIY Roof Cleaning Cost
Roof cleaning is a job best reserved for professionals. Working on a roof is a challenging and dangerous job on its own, with roof cleaning carrying additional risks. The tools needed for cleaning roofs, like pressure washers, are expensive and difficult to use, especially on a ladder. Additionally, if not used properly, these tools can cause damage to your shingles and roof systems.
Because of the increased risks to personal safety and property, we always recommend hiring a professional for any serious roof cleaning project.
Cleaning a Roof Yourself
If you have the appropriate experience and skillset working on roofs and handling a pressure washer, you can attempt a DIY roof cleaning. While I don’t recommend this, you can save some money on labor costs if you decide to go the DIY route. However, you may not save as much money as you think unless you own a pressure washer and the appropriate safety equipment.
These are some of the costs associated with doing a DIY roof cleaning.
| Equipment | Price |
| Power washer rental | $39–$97 per day |
| Power washer purchase | $225–$1,000+ |
| Anti-algaecide roof cleaner and prevention spray | $39–$100 per container |
| Aluminum extension ladder | $150–$500 |
| Eye protection | $5–$20 |
| Work gloves | $5–$35 |
| Ladder stabilizer | $40–$100 |
| Power washer extension wand | $35–$200 |
| Power washer extension hose | $40–$80 |
| Roof brush and extension wand | $50 to $150 |
Hiring a Professional for Roof Cleaning
Hiring a roofing contractor or roof cleaner can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never worked with a home improvement company. However, finding a reliable roof cleaning service can be quick and easy if you follow these steps:
- Find local experts near you: Search for local, professional roof cleaners.
- Check companies’ history: Look into each company’s work history and customer reviews — websites like the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and Google My Business Pages.
- Get a quote from a few options: Once you have a few reliable choices, schedule a free quote with each.
- Consult them about their recommendations: During the initial consultation with each company, ask their representatives about the project, including potential problems and suggestions.
- Compare quotes and make a selection: Once you have all your quotes, compare them and choose the best option for the lowest cost.
So, Is Roof Cleaning Worth the Cost?
Roof cleaning is an unpleasant but necessary task that helps protect your roof systems from grime and water buildup. By scheduling regular roof cleanings, you’ll ensure that your roof is presentable and functioning at peak performance.
Roof cleanings also present additional benefits, like raising curb appeal and spotting other problems early on, such as missing shingles or damaged gutters. Ultimately, I find roof cleaning is a relatively inexpensive service that helps ensure your roof is in ideal condition and prevents costly repairs in the future.
FAQs About Roof Cleaning
Is it worth having your roof cleaned?
Yes, the relatively low cost of roof cleaning is well worth the benefits it brings to your home. Roof cleaning improves your home’s look and curb appeal, extends its life span, and helps prevent more expensive problems.
What time of year is best for roof cleaning?
The best time to clean your roof is early spring or summer.
How often should you clean your house’s roof?
Some companies claim you should clean your roof once yearly, but this isn’t usually necessary unless you live in dense foliage or have heavy leaf litter. For most homes, cleaning your roof once every two to three years is enough.
