Water repellent or paint: which to choose?
By the Toiture Wash team · Updated on 20 October 2026 · 4 min read
Short answer. On a healthy roof whose colour you like, you do not need paint: the treatment included in every moss removal is enough. At Toiture Wash, depending on your roof, that is either a colourless water repellent, which waterproofs it without changing its look, or an algicide, fungicide and bactericide product, which slows down moss regrowth. Paint makes sense when the colour has faded or you want a uniform or new colour, on a roof covering that suits it, usually concrete tiles. Water repellent and paint are only applied after a moss removal, and neither repairs a damaged roof.
What each treatment does
| Colourless water repellent | Roof paint | |
|---|---|---|
| Principle | penetrates the material and makes water bead | forms a coloured, protective layer |
| Appearance | unchanged | uniform colour |
| Against water | yes | yes |
| When | at the end of the moss removal | always on a different day from the moss removal |
| Price per m², excl. VAT | included in the moss removal (€10) when it is the treatment chosen for your roof | €15, on top of the moss removal |
Our water repellent is always colourless: we do not apply a coloured water repellent. To refresh or change a colour, use paint: it has its own line on the quote and is always done on a different day from the moss removal.
Water repellent is not the only possible treatment after a moss removal. Every Toiture Wash moss removal ends with a treatment included in the price, which is, depending on your roof, this colourless water repellent or an algicide, fungicide and bactericide product, which slows down moss regrowth. The two products are not combined: the team chooses one or the other, and on a hard-wearing roof it is usually the algicide.
Choosing according to the condition of your roof
- Your roof is healthy and you like its colour: the treatment included in the moss removal is enough, colourless water repellent or algicide product depending on your roof. This is the most common case.
- Your roof is healthy but faded, with some tiles paler than others: paint, on a roof covering that suits it. A colourless water repellent does not bring a colour back.
- You want to change colour, or match the roof to the window frames and the facade: paint, on a roof covering that suits it.
- Tiles are cracked, frost-damaged or slipped: neither, until the repairs are done. A treatment does not fix a defect; at best it masks it for a while.
- Your roof may contain asbestos: nothing before the analysis. Does my roof contain asbestos?
The drawbacks, on both sides
Water repellent
- its protection wears off with sun and rain and will need to be redone;
- colourless, it hides nothing: a stained or discoloured tile stays that way;
- it needs a clean, dry roof, and dry weather after application.
Paint
- it costs more and needs several dry days;
- it needs upkeep: paint that flakes in places must be touched up;
- on a roof covering that does not suit it, it does not adhere well;
- a visible colour change may mean checking with the municipality's planning department, especially in a protected area.
And a moss removal without treatment?
At Toiture Wash, the question does not arise: a treatment, colourless water repellent or algicide product depending on your roof, ends every moss removal and is included in the price per m². A roof covering that is cleaned and then left untreated turns green again faster. Before comparing two quotes, check whether they include the treatment, and at what price.
VAT, often forgotten in the comparison
On our quotes, a single VAT rate applies to the whole quote, moss removal and painting, depending on your home. From one quote to another, at the same price excl. VAT, a difference in rate changes the final price: always compare prices incl. VAT.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a coloured water repellent?
There are some on the market. Toiture Wash does not apply any: our water-repellent treatment is always colourless. To refresh a colour or give the roof a new one, we offer roof painting.
Is it a good idea to paint a roof?
Yes, on a healthy roof covering that suits it, for a uniform colour and protection. No, if you hope a coat of paint will replace a repair.
Water repellent or waterproofing agent: what is the difference?
A water repellent makes water bead without blocking the pores of the material, which can still dry out; "waterproofing agent" is also used for products that form a film. On a roof, the aim is to repel rain without stopping the material from breathing.