The moment we stepped onto the site in Castle Donington, it was obvious this roof had crossed the line from ‘dirty’ to ‘problematic.’ Moss hadn’t just appeared — it had taken over. Thick, spongy layers covered entire sections of the metal roof, storing water like a sponge and placing constant pressure on the building below. This wasn’t maintenance; this was a rescue mission.

We deployed three of our Sudell technicians and applied our specialist commercial moss-removal techniques: we assessed the roof type carefully (because not all roof surfaces respond the same), then used a combination of scraping and low-pressure cleaning from the roof edge — avoiding walking on the roof entirely — before applying a professional-grade biocide to suppress regrowth. Moss on metal roofs can hold moisture, cause drainage blockages and accelerate structural wear. Here’s how we tackled it, and why roofs like this so often become a hidden breeding ground for moss.

How We Tackled the Roof

After the initial inspection, the lads got straight to work. Scrapers out, scaffolding in place — and moss coming off in sheets. You don’t realise how much weight moss adds to a roof until you see it being pulled off in chunks like wet carpet.

Metal roofs are especially tricky because moss gets rooted into every rib and seam, so the goal here wasn’t just to “make it look better.” It was to stop the long-term damage: blocked drainage, trapped moisture, and corrosion that slowly eats from the inside out.

Once the heavy growth was removed, we treated the entire surface with a biocide wash to kill off the spores you can’t see. That’s what gives the roof a fighting chance of staying clean rather than going straight back to a moss farm six months later. If you’re curious about how roof cleaning works, what to expect, or how long results typically last, our Roof Cleaning FAQ gives clear answers to the questions we’re asked most often.

Why Moss Thrives on Commercial Metal Roofs

• Moss can hold several times its weight in water, which means even small patches can keep roof surfaces damp for long periods.
• Metal roof profiles can retain moisture in the ribs and seams, especially on shaded or slow-drying areas, giving moss spores places to settle and grow.
• Large commercial roofs naturally take longer to dry, particularly on north-facing or sheltered sides where sunlight and airflow are limited.
• Wind, birds, and nearby vegetation continuously introduce new moss spores, which is why untreated surfaces often see regrowth.
• As moss thickens, it traps even more moisture, which can speed up the deterioration of protective coatings and increase the risk of corrosion on older roofs.
• Scraping alone removes the visible moss, but biocide treatment is needed to target the remaining spores and slow future regrowth.

Moss isn’t just unsightly — removing it protects the building.
Keeping large industrial roofs clear is one of the most cost-effective preventative maintenance steps a business can take.

The Shocking Amount of Moss We Removed

Even we were taken aback by the final pile of waste. This wasn’t a quick tidy-up — it was the result of years of compacted, water-logged moss silently adding weight and strain to the entire roof structure.

In total, we removed dozens of heavy bags of moss, each one soaked through like wet carpet. Because moss can hold several times its own weight in water, every bag we filled represents weight that had been sitting on the roof — putting pressure on fixings, blocking drainage routes, and contributing to hidden moisture issues that accelerate corrosion on commercial metal roofs. Blocked drainage is also one of the biggest issues we see on commercial sites, which is why we offer a full Commercial Gutter Cleaning & Repair Service.

The image shows the sheer volume of moss we removed from this commercial roof. It’s a powerful reminder of why regular roof maintenance is essential — preventing excess moss build-up, reducing structural strain, and avoiding costly repairs in the long run.

📍 This commercial roof moss-removal project was completed in Castle Donington, Derbyshire.

Whether it’s industrial units, warehouses, sports complexes or large commercial roof structures — Sudell have specialist teams trained, equipped and experienced in controlled moss removal at height.

We cover Castle Donington, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and the wider Midlands region — helping businesses protect their buildings, extend roof lifespan and avoid unnecessary repair bills.

Need commercial roof moss removal done properly?

Book a free on-site survey with Sudell and protect your building before small issues turn into costly problems.

Learn more about our Roof Cleaning Services here.