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​TIP STORE: HOUSEHOLD: Roof Maintenance

​Cleaning a Terracotta Roof

Approximate $ Savings: $100s
To clean lichen from your terracotta roof I have used Nappysan and a scrubbing brush and it worked for us. If you have any trees shading the house they need to be cut down for sunlight. I have been told that the lichen won't hurt the tiles
​Contributed by Michelle, Ryde, 15th April 2007

​No Frills Lichen Removal

The cheapest No Frills bleach will remove any type of this residue (also moss) and will do a great job on paving and brick walls. We recently did a brick wall that has the same problem and it came out like brand new. Really clean with bleach, a good scrubber and high pressure water cleaner and if you can't afford the water pressure hire use a good old fashioned bucket of hot water with the bleach and really hard scrubbing brush. All the Best.
​Contributed by Nicole, Tweed Heads West, 24th April 2007

​Leaching Copper Cleans Lichen

In answer to a cheap remedy to clean lichens and moss from the roof. A roof tile cleaner told me to stretch a copper wire across the top hip of the roof. The leaching of the copper wire in the rain will kill the lichens.
​Contributed by Rosemarie, Sydney, 17th April 2007

​Use a Steeple Jack When Cleaning Roof

DO NOT hose the roof as the water will be blasted under the tiles. I had the same problem cost etc and I used a steeple jack. Much cheaper and a good job.
​Contributed by Lizard, Booragoon, 15th April 2007

​Copper Wire Will Kill Lichen

I worked for a roofing company for 10 years and how to clean roof tiles was a very common one. Pressure cleaning the tiles will get rid of the lichen for a period of time, however lichen grows from the terracotta itself therefore it will continue to grow back over time. You can place copper wire along the ridge capping and when it rains the copper washes down the roof and helps to break down the lichen. I hope this helps.
​Contributed by Julie, Yerrinbool, 15th April 2007

​Leave the Lichen

Why would you want to clean off the lichen growing on your terracotta roof tiles? That's the beauty of them - they age so well and look great. My cheap solution is leaving it there! Think how healthy your roof is if plants will grow on it - plants don't grow on other roof types - and if you use chemicals to clean it off so well that it won't grow back, what is that going to do to the water that runs off it? So I suggest leave the lichen there and admire it!
​Contributed by Sheree, Ballarat, 15th April 2007

​Good Healthy Air

​Lichen is a sign that there is good healthy air where you live. You could accept and celebrate that you are lucky enough to live somewhere that lichen grows and leave it to give that lovely rustic effect to your roof. This would not only save you money, but also add to the personality of your home. Contributed by Diana, South Townsville 15th April 2007

​Lichen is a Sign of Clean Air

Don't have it cleaned off! If lichen grows on your roof it means that you have clean air in your area. It is a sign of healthy living!!
​Contributed by Jill, Glen Iris, 15th April 2007

​High Pressure Clean

Rent your own high pressure cleaner for a few dollars a day and clean with mix of water and vinegar. Works wonders for me.
​Contributed by Clare, Morwell, 15th April 2007

​Oil of Cloves to Kill Lichen

Bit difficult being roof tiles ~ how easy is it to get on roof? However, to kill lichen put five drops of oil of cloves in a bucket half filled with water; wipe over lichen with sponge/cloth. It'll take a while to work but oil of cloves (bought at chemist) will keep working to kill lichen. Also sunlight kills lichen.
​Contributed by Julie, East Victoria Park, 15th April 2007