Mitcheldean sits in a damp wooded combe on the northern edge of the Forest of Dean. The name itself gives the game away — it comes from the Old English miceldenu, "big valley" — and the village fills the head of the Longhope brook valley, hemmed in by rising ground on almost every side. The land climbs out of the centre onto Plump Hill, the Stenders and Breakheart Hill, lifting from around 125 metres in the village to roughly 200 metres on the tops, and a good deal of that high ground is wooded. It is a setting most people would call pretty. For a roof, it's a problem.
The reason is simple. Moss, lichen and gloeocapsa algae live on cold, damp and shade, and a wooded valley supplies all three in quantity. The surrounding canopy and the north-facing slopes keep many Mitcheldean roofs out of direct sun for much of the day, the valley floor holds moisture that open, higher ground sheds, and the trees that ring the village drop a steady fall of leaves into the gutters and roof valleys every autumn. That leaf litter rots down into a damp organic mulch that feeds the moss and blocks the drainage — so the roof stays wetter, longer, and the growth races ahead. A house here will carry noticeably heavier moss than an identical one a few miles out on open, drier, sunnier ground.
You see it most clearly in the old core. The conservation heart of the village — the long, narrow, slightly crooked run of the High Street up to the Cross, Brook Street curling round by the churchyard, and the lanes off Silver Street and New Street — is packed with low, old buildings standing close together in local red sandstone, with hand-made clay, natural slate and stone on the roofs. They shade each other, the streets are tight, and the original coverings hold damp far longer than anything modern. By the time someone calls us, a north-facing pitch above the High Street is usually a thick green-black mat sitting in the tile, with rust weeping off old valley metal and the gutters packed solid.
Out on the edges it's a different roof but the same valley behind it. Mitcheldean grew hard in the mid-twentieth century around its big employer — the factory that ran first as British Acoustic Films, then Rank Bush Murphy, then Rank Xerox — and that growth threw up bands of estate housing on concrete interlocking tile. Those tiles are textured, which gives spores something to grip, so in this humid combe they mat up heavily. Whether it's a 17th-century stone cottage by the church or a 1960s semi built for a Rank worker, the cause is the same Forest-of-Dean damp, and so is the fix: lift the growth off properly, then treat it so it stays off.
One thing worth saying plainly is that we don't blast old, ageing tile. On the heritage roofs in the core, high pressure cracks brittle clay and stone and drives water under the laps. On the estate roofs, the concrete tile is already decades old and its surface coating has thinned, so hammering it with pressure takes years off the tile to buy you a single clean season. Lifting the moss by hand and treating with biocide is gentler and lasts far longer — which matters on a roof that, valley damp or not, still has plenty of life left in it.
Each one has its own approach. In a valley this damp, method matters more than equipment.
Common on the older buildings along the High Street, Brook Street and the lanes around the church. Often a century or more old and brittle when wet — these are scraped by hand, never pressured, working off a roof ladder hooked over the ridge. Extra care around the bedded ridges, hips and valleys where the tiles are oldest and most likely to crack.
Found on the historic, often listed properties through the market-town core and on older cottages out toward Abenhall and the Stenders. Durable but unforgiving — slate and stone get hand-clearing of the laps, a low-pressure rinse where appropriate and a neutral biocide. We keep everything off the lime mortar, the weathered red sandstone and the old leadwork.
The bulk of the mid-century housing that went up around the old Rank factory. Marley and Redland interlocking tiles, usually heavily mossed because the textured surface grips spores and the wooded valley keeps everything damp. We remove the moss by hand first, then biocide. Expect a noticeable colour shift as the treatment cures over a few weeks.
The newer infill and developments on the village edge — smoother concrete, the odd plain or pantile roof, 1990s onward. Younger but still greening in this shaded combe, with leaf-fall feeding the moss. These take the bulk-off-then-biocide treatment, and on the right surfaces a sealant to slow regrowth further.
From the conservation core up to the wooded slopes and out across the GL17 villages — same Forest-of-Dean valley damp, slightly different roof on each.
The long, narrow, slightly crooked main street running up to the old market cross — tall, shaded, listed and historic buildings in red sandstone on hand-made clay, slate and stone that gets hand-scrape only.
The lane curling round by St Michael's churchyard and the brook — old stone and clay-tile properties in the densest, most shaded part of the core, where north pitches and damp hold heavy moss.
The older streets off the centre toward the Wilderness and the Monmouth road — a mix of historic cottages and later houses on clay, slate and modern tile, all greening in the valley damp.
The roads climbing out of the village onto the wooded Forest edge — properties under heavy tree cover, where shade and leaf-fall mean fast moss and a careful, ladder-based clean.
The bands of mid-century housing built around the old British Acoustic Films, Rank Bush Murphy and Rank Xerox works — concrete interlocking tile that mats up heavily and takes the bulk-removal-then-biocide treatment well.
The surrounding GL17 villages out across the same damp wooded microclimate — stone and clay cottages alongside modern housing, the same heritage-and-current mix we cover right across the Mitcheldean area.
Mitcheldean's medieval market-town core is a conservation area, and the village is densely listed for its size. At the heart of it stands the Grade I church of St Michael and All Angels, with its tall south-west tower and spire — a landmark whose spire fell in 1733 and was rebuilt with royal aid by Nathaniel Wilkinson of Worcester, and which still holds one of the country's rare surviving medieval Doom paintings inside. Around it run the old buildings of the core: the Town Hall, completed in 1710 over the market, and the close-packed runs of red-sandstone and timber properties along the High Street and Brook Street. A great many of those roofs are original hand-made clay, natural slate or stone on old structures, and they need a completely different hand to a modern tile, because force cracks old covering and drives water into a building that has stayed watertight for centuries precisely because nobody blasted it.
For listed buildings, cleaning sits in a careful zone. Straightforward removal of biological growth normally doesn't need listed-building consent, because you're not altering the fabric of the building. Anything that touches the lime mortar, the lead, the weathered red sandstone or the original tile-fixings usually does — and we'll tell you upfront if a job crosses that line so you can speak to Forest of Dean District Council's conservation team before booking. We keep biocide off lime mortar and old stone by sheeting and rinsing the edges, and where old lead flashings have weathered to a soft grey patina we'll usually recommend leaving them rather than scrubbing them back to bright metal — exactly the kind of thing heritage officers, reasonably, don't want to see.
It's worth remembering why Mitcheldean looks the way it does. It grew up as a medieval market town on the edge of the Forest, thriving on the iron ore worked out of the Dean, on cloth and leather, and later on the local red sandstone quarried from the Wilderness and nearby. Thomas Wintle built his Forest Brewery in Brook Street in 1868 from that same sandstone, and at its height it owned scores of pubs across the area; when brewing ended, the site became the factory that drove the town's twentieth-century growth. The result is a village where buildings of very different ages stand close together, roofs run at odd angles into shared valleys, and a single terrace can carry several tile types. None of that is a problem to clean — but it's exactly why we survey each property properly rather than quoting a roof we haven't seen.
At quote stage we check whether your property looks listed and glance at the Historic England map before the survey. It costs us five minutes and can save you a planning headache — and on old clay, stone or natural slate, getting the method right the first time is the difference between a clean that lasts and a repair bill in materials that have to be matched.
We come out, look at the roof, the access, and the gutters, and tell you exactly what's needed and what it costs. No hard sell, no pressure to book on the spot — and on the older conservation-core properties we flag anything that touches listed-building rules first.
Heavy moss is removed by hand from a ladder or tower, gutters cleared of moss and Forest-of-Dean leaf litter at the same time. On Mitcheldean's damp, thickly mossed concrete tile and on fragile old clay and stone alike, the bulk growth has to be lifted off before the biocide can reach the spores beneath.
An approved biocide is applied at the correct dilution. It kills algae, lichen and remaining moss spores at the root, without high-pressure water touching the tiles — which matters even more in this shaded, high-humidity valley where regrowth comes back fast.
The biocide keeps working after we've left, preventing regrowth for up to two years. Most customers don't need us back for a top-up before then.
A Mitcheldean roof clean keeps us on the ladders or tower most of the day regardless, so it makes sense to pull the gutters through while we're up there — and the biocide is what holds the result for two years, which counts for a lot in a valley this damp and shaded. You pay for neither; both come as standard.
The free gutter clear is more than a nicety here. In a village ringed by Forest-of-Dean woodland, the gutters fill with washed-down moss and rotting leaf litter, and a blocked gutter sends rain down the wall instead of away from the house — soaking into old red sandstone and finding its way to the eaves. We clear what comes off the roof and out of the trees as we go, so you're not left with a clean roof and blocked gutters. And because the biocide carries on working long after we've packed up, most Mitcheldean customers get two seasons or more before they'd even think about booking us back — in a microclimate this damp, that's the part that earns its keep.
Get my Mitcheldean quoteMitcheldean throws up everything from brittle hand-made clay and stone on listed buildings in the core to big concrete-tile estate roofs on the Rank-era streets, and the fragile ones take careful hand-scraping rather than fast pressure — which is part of why we won't quote a flat rate over the phone. Every roof's different. But to be straight with you, most roof cleans are £550–£950. A standard terrace or semi sits in that range; larger, steeper or more difficult roofs (heavy moss, awkward access, big detached houses) go up from there.
What moves the price:
Always included, never an add-on: a free gutter clear while we're up there, and the biocide that keeps moss off for up to two years.
How we quote: a free no-obligation survey, a written price the same day, no deposit, pay only when it's done. See our full roof cleaning cost guide →
No — because we match the method to the roof. The old clay tile, natural slate and stone you find on the listed and historic buildings around the High Street, Brook Street and the Cross get hand-scrape and biocide only; pressure on those splits tiles and forces water under the laps. The concrete interlocking tile on the Rank-era and later estates on the village edge can take a more robust, controlled clean where that's the right tool. Either way it's the biocide that stops the moss coming back, not the force of the water.
Because of where the town sits. Mitcheldean — the name comes from the Old English for "big valley" — lies in a damp, wooded combe at the head of the Longhope brook valley on the northern edge of the Forest of Dean, with the ground climbing onto Plump Hill, the Stenders and Breakheart Hill around it. Woodland canopy and north-facing slopes keep a lot of roofs in shade, the valley holds moisture, and leaf-fall off the surrounding trees feeds the gutters and the moss. Cold, damp and shade are exactly what moss, lichen and algae live on, so a Mitcheldean roof carries heavier growth than a house on open, drier, sunnier ground — which is why the free biocide treatment earns its keep here.
Yes, when applied properly. We use approved biocides at manufacturer-specified dilutions, applied in dry conditions so the active ingredient bonds to the roof rather than running off. Pets are kept indoors during application and for an hour after; planted borders are sheeted and watered down before and after. On a village edge that runs straight into Forest of Dean woodland, ancient meadows and grazing land we're careful about run-off, and we've never had an issue with ponds, wildlife or stock in years of doing this.
Yes, and this is the work we take most care over. Mitcheldean's market-town core is a conservation area, and the village is densely listed — from the Grade I medieval church of St Michael and All Angels with its tall spire down through the Town Hall and runs of old red-sandstone and timber properties along the High Street and Brook Street. On those roofs we hand-scrape only — never pressure — and we keep biocide off lime mortar, old leadwork and weathered stone by sheeting and rinsing the edges. Straightforward removal of moss and algae usually doesn't need listed-building consent because you're not altering the fabric; anything touching mortar, lead or the original fixings does, and we'll flag it before we start so you can speak to Forest of Dean District Council's conservation team first.
It does, in two ways. First, the canopy keeps roofs shaded and the air damp, which is perfect for moss, lichen and algae. Second, every autumn the leaf-fall off the surrounding Forest of Dean woodland drops into the gutters and the roof valleys, where it rots down into a damp organic mulch that feeds the moss and blocks the drainage. A blocked gutter then holds water against the fascia and the lower courses of tile, keeping them wet and speeding the growth up further. That's exactly why the free gutter clear matters so much here — we clear what's washed and blown down while we're up there, so the roof can actually drain and dry between showers.
For most jobs, no. We work from a ladder or scaffold tower with a long-reach lance, which means no concentrated weight on the tiles and no boot scuffs on the ridges. On the steeper or older roofs — including the tall, narrow buildings in the conservation core and the brittle old clay and stone common there — we use a roof ladder hooked over the ridge to spread the load safely. We'll tell you in advance which method we're using on your property and why.
Three reasons that matter, in order. Tile and slate life — moss holds moisture against the surface, accelerating freeze-thaw damage and shortening the life of the roof, which on hand-made clay, natural slate or stone in the conservation area is a serious replacement cost. Gutters and downpipes — in a wooded valley the gutters clog with moss and leaf litter, pushing water down the wall instead of away from the house and into the fabric of an old stone building. Value and kerb appeal — a green, streaked roof drags a property down, and a clean one is a quiet but real factor when you come to sell. Cleaning costs a fraction of replacing tiles or repointing ridges.
A real one, and it changes how we work. The conservation core — the High Street, Brook Street, the Cross and the lanes around the church — is old hand-made clay, natural slate and stone on listed and historic buildings, and those get hand-scrape and biocide only. The bands of mid-century housing that went up to house workers at the old Rank Bush Murphy and Rank Xerox factory are mostly concrete interlocking tile, which is textured, grips spores and mats up heavily in this damp valley; those we lift the moss off by hand first, then biocide, and can clean more robustly where the tile allows. Same valley damp behind both — different roof, different hand.
Depends on the roof. The concrete interlocking tile on the Mitcheldean estates can take a controlled low-pressure wash where it's the right tool; the old clay, natural slate and stone on the conservation-core and listed properties should never be pressure-washed — it strips the surface, cracks tiles and forces water underneath, and a cracked stone slate or hand-made tile is a costly thing to match. On those we hand-scrape and treat with biocide. We always tell you the method first.
Spring (March–May) and early autumn are ideal — dry enough for the biocide to bond, and it sets the roof up before the damp months when moss grows fastest, which in a shaded Forest of Dean valley is a long season. Early autumn also gets ahead of the leaf-fall that clogs the gutters and feeds the moss. We clean year-round, though; the biocide works whenever it's applied in dry conditions, and we plan jobs around weather windows rather than rushing them in the wet.
Forest of Dean mining town, shaded estate streets, heavy moss country — just down the road.
Roof cleaning CinderfordForest of Dean edge, tree-shaded clay-tile cottages, the same damp wooded microclimate.
Roof cleaning NewentVictorian terraces, the docks regeneration, post-war estates — the city out on the Severn plain.
Roof cleaning GloucesterThe Guys did a fantastic job on my roof and worked nonstop all day to get the job done and left everything clean and tidy after themselves, highly recommend and would look to use again 👍, made a massive difference to the house.
The Guys did a fantastic job on my roof and worked nonstop all day to get the job done and left everything clean and tidy after themselves, highly recommend and would look to use again 👍, made a massive difference to the house.
Would strongly recommend. Swift with good work quality and kept the surrounding areas tidy. Looks like a new roof! Would 100% recommend.
Would strongly recommend. Swift with good work quality and kept the surrounding areas tidy. Looks like a new roof! Would 100% recommend.
Blake and Daniel cleaned my patio and path at the front and did a great job. They were friendly and professional and explained well what they were going to do. I also had a bad dark patch which came up really well which others had failed to remove. I would definitely recommend them if like me you have a patio or driveway that badly needs a thorough clean
Blake and Daniel cleaned my patio and path at the front and did a great job. They were friendly and professional and explained well what they were going to do. I also had a bad dark patch which came up really well which others had failed to remove. I would definitely recommend them if like me you have a patio or driveway that badly needs a thorough clean
100% recommend this team . From start to finish was kept informed.On the morning a text to say what time they will be there and arrived on time . Worked from 9:30 till 7:30pm on the roof and jet washing all the area after. Very professional and had all the kit even a drone to show you the results of the whole area . The difference is amazing and looks like a new roof . Really happy with the results and so many comments from neighbours too saying how good it looks . You will not be disappointed .
100% recommend this team . From start to finish was kept informed.On the morning a text to say what time they will be there and arrived on time . Worked from 9:30 till 7:30pm on the roof and jet washing all the area after. Very professional and had all the kit even a drone to show you the results of the whole area . The difference is amazing and looks like a new roof . Really happy with the results and so many comments from neighbours too saying how good it looks . You will not be disappointed .
Had our drive re sealed and repaired amazing job by Blake and Dan thanks very much for your hard work it looks amazing highly recommended company
Had our drive re sealed and repaired amazing job by Blake and Dan thanks very much for your hard work it looks amazing highly recommended company
What can I say other than WOW !! Massive thank you to Blake and Dan for all of your hard work, so professional and such an amazing job! Left everything spotless so pleased, highly recommend to everyone. Extremely happy
What can I say other than WOW !! Massive thank you to Blake and Dan for all of your hard work, so professional and such an amazing job! Left everything spotless so pleased, highly recommend to everyone. Extremely happy
Blake and team did a great job of cleaning and resealing our roof. They worked hard and communicated well by proactively keeping us updated at every stage. We are happy with the end result and the transformation was epic!
Blake and team did a great job of cleaning and resealing our roof. They worked hard and communicated well by proactively keeping us updated at every stage. We are happy with the end result and the transformation was epic!
We had excellent service from start to finish. The guys were very professional, discussed everything over the phone initially then a visit with the drone to allow accurate quarter and expectation management. On the day they were considerate with the neighbours, did a wonderful job with the roof and gutters and cleared up so well that everything looked far better than when they started. Cannot recommend more highly.
We had excellent service from start to finish. The guys were very professional, discussed everything over the phone initially then a visit with the drone to allow accurate quarter and expectation management. On the day they were considerate with the neighbours, did a wonderful job with the roof and gutters and cleared up so well that everything looked far better than when they started. Cannot recommend more highly.
Great guys. Amazing job on the drive and always answers the phone. Recommend 100%
Great guys. Amazing job on the drive and always answers the phone. Recommend 100%
Really impressed with Aquapro Roof cleaning. Very professional guys that done such a good job, that it looks like I’ve had a new roof installed, (after 40yrs of dirt and moss). Blake talked me through everything in detail, and answered any questions I had. Showed me the end result with his drone footage and left house clean and tidy. Highly recommended.
Really impressed with Aquapro Roof cleaning. Very professional guys that done such a good job, that it looks like I’ve had a new roof installed, (after 40yrs of dirt and moss). Blake talked me through everything in detail, and answered any questions I had. Showed me the end result with his drone footage and left house clean and tidy. Highly recommended.
Great service, lovely & friendly team. So happy with the patio.
Great service, lovely & friendly team. So happy with the patio.
Free gutter clean and biocide treatment with every roof clean. Listed and conservation-area properties handled correctly. Fully insured, no-obligation quote, written the same day.
