How Much Does Roof Cleaning Cost in 2025?

Roof Cleaning Cost Factors 

The cost to clean your roof depends on several factors, including the roof size, slope, height, what it’s made from, and the cleaning method. If your roof isn’t washed regularly or in top condition, this can push the price up too.

Home Size

Cleaning a roof costs $0.20 to $0.60 per square foot. Many contractors charge by the square foot of the roof or by the square—each square is 100 square feet. The average house roof is around 2,000 square feet.

Roof Condition

A roof with a thick layer of dirt, debris, and moss takes longer to clean and may require extra cleaning products. Your roof cleaning contractor will advise you when they carry out an inspection if they plan to charge extra fees.

Labor 

Labor accounts for the majority of roof cleaning costs. Your roofer may charge more for a complicated or challenging roof cleaning job, like widespread moss or algae growth, or for a roof that hasn’t been cleaned in several years. While most roofing pros charge by the square foot, others may charge by the hour, with standard costs ranging from $20 to $60 per hour.

Accessibility

Steep roofs and those with complex designs (such as mansards or Dutch gables) take longer to clean and may require the use of additional safety equipment. Typically, these elements add $0.10 to $0.15 per square foot. Multi-story houses also make access and cleaning more of a challenge, so this can also increase the price. 

Additional Services 

Often, roof cleaning contractors provide additional roof maintenance services. By bundling roof cleaning and other services, you may be able to save time and money compared to hiring separate contractors for each job. Some other maintenance tasks include:

• Moss prevention treatment: A buildup of moss on your roof can block gutters, absorb heat (increasing cooling costs), and keep shingles wet—wearing them out prematurely. Most roof cleaners remove moss as part of their service. They may also suggest applying a treatment to prevent moss from returning so quickly, like zinc oxide strips. Expect to pay $0.05 to $0.15 per square foot for this.

• Roof sealant: Licensed roofing contractors can seal your roof. This helps repel water, reflect sunlight, make it flame and corrosion-retardant, and increase its longevity. The typical cost to seal a roof is $0.65 to $5 per square foot.

• Cleaning or repairing gutters and downspouts: Blocked or broken gutters can lead to expensive roof repairs. It makes sense to have these cleaned while someone is already up on the roof. The average cost to repair gutters is $370, and typically, gutter cleaning costs an average of $160.

Cost by Roof Type

Different roof types may require different cleaning techniques, which can influence your total cost. 

Tar and Gravel

Cleaning a tar and gravel roof usually requires water and a solution that eliminates mold and mildew. Pros may use bleach, but it requires care to avoid damaging plants nearby. Cleaning a tar and gravel roof averages $0.20 to $0.30 per square foot.

Rubber

If you want to clean a rubber membrane flat roof, you’ll need liquid detergent, water, and a scrub brush. Significant dirt buildup may require a special product for rubber. This gentle cleaning technique costs $0.20 to $0.30 per square foot.

Metal 

Metal roofing won’t chip or crack like tiles, but the panels can scratch or dent. Plain water with a mild liquid detergent usually works well.

The average cost for metal roof cleaning is between $0.20 and $0.60 per square foot. They are very strong and resistant, so they can withstand the high-powered blast of a high-pressure wash. This removes dirt and debris and rids the surface of most moss and lichens. Metal is capable of handling hot water pressure washing. This will be better suited to removing debris, moss, and other items from the roof’s surface.

Slate Shingles 

As with metal, cleaning slate involves water and a small amount of liquid detergent. The tiles are heavy but can crack if someone steps carelessly. Expect to pay $0.30 to $0.70 per square foot.

Clay 

Clay tile is a lot like ceramic, so the cleaning methods are similar. Clay is more porous, so it can’t take pressure-washing. Instead, you can use a garden sprayer with a product like Roof Wash. Pros usually charge $0.30 to $0.75 per square foot to clean clay roof tile.

Wood

The average cost to clean wood roofs ranges from $0.30 to $0.70 per square foot. One of the issues with this material is that it does not always stand up well to high-pressure blasts of water. The best option is a low-pressure wash that protects the material but still provides a thorough cleaning. Professionals use specially selected chemical solutions that are gentle on the wood and tough on moss. This can be used to remove lichen, moss, and other debris.

Concrete 

Concrete tiles are popular in temperate climates with wet weather. Moss buildup is typically the biggest problem for this material, with cleaning costs ranging from $0.30 to $0.75 per square foot.

Cost by Cleaning Method

Your roof material influences the type of cleaning method professionals will use. The two main types of cleaning include pressure washing and soft washing.

Pressure Wash 

Pressure washing might seem like an affordable way to thoroughly clean your roof, but contractors don’t often recommend this technique. With 1,300 to 2,800 pounds per square inch (psi) pressure, the strong force of the water can chip, dent, or crack the roofing material. Cleaning using this method on an asphalt, shake, slate, or tile roof can sometimes void warranties.

Pressure washing is sometimes used on durable metal roofs but with a machine with a lower psi. Power wash roof cleaning costs between $0.20 and $0.60 per square foot.

Soft Wash

Soft washing is a common, gentle roof cleaning method. It’s often more expensive than pressure washing because it involves more labor-intensive techniques. Pros use low-pressure hoses (under 1,000 psi), scrub brushes, and cleaning solutions to kill algae and moss. Expect to pay between $0.30 and $0.60 per square foot for soft washing.

Chemical Wash

Chemical washes cost between $0.20 and $0.30 per square foot and kill living organisms like moss, lichen, and algae. This type of cleaning doesn't use pressurized water but rather relies on the cleaning solution to remove growth on your roof.

Low-Pressure Wash

Low-pressure washing costs between $0.30 and $0.70 per square foot. This style of washing falls somewhere between a high-pressure wash and a chemical wash. It's not as intense as a typical power washing, so it's good for shingle roofs. But there is just enough pressure to remove dirt and debris. You can also add a cleaning solution to tackle moss and algae.

Budgeting for Roof Cleaning

Roof cleaning typically requires professional tools and expertise, but there are several steps you can take to ensure your project stays budget-friendly:

• Stick to a regular cleaning schedule: Most pros recommend roof cleaning every two to five years. This can help reduce buildup, saving you on repairs as well as labor for each cleaning. Some professionals also offer discounts when you sign up for a consistent schedule.

• Keep gutters clean: Clean gutters help protect your roof and reduce the buildup of organic material. If you live in a single-story home and are comfortable with the project, you may be able to tackle this step yourself.

• Consider treatments and sealants: Depending on your climate and roof type, it may be worthwhile to look into treatments to reduce the growth of moss and algae on your roof.

• Compare quotes: Contact multiple roof cleaners in your area to compare prices. Some pros also offer seasonal specials, which can help you save money if you book in advance.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.