This Guide Is For You IF?  

Clay and barrel tile roofs are durable and beautiful—but they also attract algae, mildew, and lichen over time. This guide will walk you through how to clean your clay tile roof yourself, safely and effectively, with tools you can find at home.    

  • You notice dark streaks/algae or lighter growth—but no thick moss 

  • You're okay climbing a ladder, working early morning, and being cautious 

Good candidates: One-story homes, easy ladder access, light to moderate growth 
Not-so-good: Multi-story, heavy lichen, broken tiles, or no safe anchor spot 

Why Clean Clay Tile Roofs? 

  • Prevent long-term moisture damage 

  • Stop organic growth (algae, moss, lichen) 

  • Restore roof appearance and curb appeal 

  • Improve home value and HOA compliance 

  • Extend roof life by preventing material breakdown 

To clean your clay tile roof, you’ll need: 

  • A garden hose with spray nozzle or attachment 

  • A pump sprayer (2–4 gallons) 

  • Household bleach (6%) and dish soap 

  • A ladder with stabilizer 

  • Gloves, goggles, long sleeves 

How Mixing & Refilling Works?  

  • Mix a 1:4 bleach-to-water solution with soap. 

  • 1 Gal mix treats ~100–150 sq ft depending on coverage. 

  • If using a 3‑gal sprayer, you're treating ~300–450 sq ft per fill. 

  • A 2,000 sq ft roof takes ~5–7 fills—about 30–40 minutes of mixing and walking up/down. 

How to Clean Clay Tile Roofs Step-by-Step 

Prep 

  • Cover plants with tarps; wet everything 
  • Set stabilizer on ladder; dispatch helper 

Mix

  • In a bucket, mix bleach + water + a cap of dish soap
  • Pour into your sprayer 

Spray 

  • Start at the top ridge, spray a ~10’ x 15’ section (~150 sq ft) 
  • Saturate thoroughly—no sudden dry patches 

Dwell & Patch 

  • Let sit 10–15 minutes; re-spray if edges dry 

Rinse 

  • From ridge downward, rinse gently—don’t lift tiles 

Refill & Repeat 

  • Climb down, refill, and repeat until done 

Final Check 

  • Look for missed spots, stains—re-treat if needed 
  • Ensure soil and plants stay wet to prevent bleach harm 

What to Skip 

  • Don’t walk on tiles—they crack easily 

  • Avoid pressure washers—they damage tiles 

  • Don’t let bleach run into storm drains—more eco care 

  When to Call a Pro 

  • Stains are thick or dark (lichen, heavy moss) 

  • Roof is steep, multistory, or tricky to access 

  • Broken or loose tiles, or slippery roof 

  • No helper or safety setup available 

Search with: “soft wash clay tile roof near me” 

Time Estimates   

Roof Size (sq ft) 

Mixing & Loading Time 

Spraying Time 

Rinse Time 

Total Time 

2,000 

30 min 

20 min 

20 min 

~70 min 

3,000 

45 min 

30 min 

30 min 

~105 min 

4,000 

60 min 

40 min 

40 min 

~140 min 

This assumes one helper to handle refills and safety while you spritz. 

Quick Recap 

  • One-gallon mix covers ~150 sq ft 

  • 2,000 sq ft = ~70 minutes; 4,000 sq ft = ~140 minutes 

  • Ladder + helper = key for efficiency and safety 

  • Skip noisy, damaging pressure washers 

  • Safety gear + shaded early hours reduce risk