How To remove Moss From Your Roof
Have you ever been walking around your neighbourhood and noticed a house with an unpleasant and unkempt green splotch on its roof? Yeah, me too—and I bet you’ve wondered what it is! Well, that unattractive discolouration you’re seeing is most likely moss. Moss becoming established in the shaded areas of your roof can be one of the quickest ways to reduce the lifespan of your roof and lead to costly repairs. The longer moss is allowed to form, the more harm is done by the time you realise you need to act.
So don’t wait any longer; let’s talk about removing moss from your roof before it’s too late!
Why is Moss Growing On My Roof?
Moss growing on your roof is a common problem for homeowners. It’s an unattractive discolouration that can lead to costly repairs and reduce the lifespan of your roof. But why is moss growing on your roof in the first place?
Moss thrives in cool and damp environments, so if moss grows on your roof, it may be because your house is shaded by trees or other structures that allow moisture to linger on your roof, which causes it to grow. Additionally, moss grows on the north side of a roof since it receives the least amount of sun or under overhanging trees that provide shade. Over time it can cause roofing to degrade.
Moss can damage your shingles in three significant ways. First, moss will strip away the protective oils on your shingles, making them susceptible to erosion and sun damage. Second, moss absorbs water, so when it rains, it will soak up water and retain it, creating consistently wet conditions on your roof. The resulting constant exposure to water can degrade shingles. Third, moss growth will also interfere with the proper drainage of water off the roof as water needs to trickle through or around the moss instead of running straight down to the gutters.
Removing the moss from your roof is easy and only takes a few simple steps. You can physically remove moss from your roof with a long-handled scrub brush if you’re careful not to overdo it. Additionally, you can use a moss removal agent or a 50/50 mixture of water and bleach to kill the moss, making the physical removal less labour-intensive and less likely to cause damage. However, do not use a pressure washer to remove moss from your rooftop as this will cause more damage than good!
Now that you know why moss grows on roofs and how to remove it safely, you can take action and prevent further damage!
What Damage Does Moss Cause On A Roof
Moss can cause severe damage to roofs if it is left unchecked. When moss grows on a roof, it can strip away the protective oils on the shingles, leaving them vulnerable to the elements. This can cause the shingles to warp and crack in the sun, significantly shortening their lifespan. Furthermore, moss absorbs water which can cause leaks in the roof and increase the risk of water damage to your home. The moss also causes blockages in gutters which can lead to costly repairs.
It is essential to take action and remove any moss from your roof as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
Several ways to do this include manually scraping the moss off with a stiff brush and trowel, using a soft bristle brush attached to a long extendable pole, using sodium hypochlorite or a store-bought moss remover.
You can also spray the area with a 50/50 mixture of water and bleach. Hosing off the area beforehand can also help loosen the moss and make it easier to remove. Manual scraping with a brush is generally considered the safest option as it prevents further unnecessary damage.
Removing moss from your roof is important in protecting your home from water damage and ensuring that your roof remains in good condition. If you take action quickly and use the appropriate methods, you can prevent further damage from occurring due to moss growth.
What Kills Moss On A Roof Naturally
Moss growth on roofs can be a nuisance and a hazard to the structural integrity of your home. Fortunately, there are several natural solutions that you can use to get rid of the moss and protect your roof.
The first step in removing moss is to manually scrape it off with a stiff long-handled brush and trowel. This will help loosen the moss and make it easier to remove. Make sure to do this on a calm, overcast day for the best results.
Vinegar and chlorine bleach are two commonly used solutions for killing moss on roofs. For the vinegar solution, mix 1 ½ to 3 ½ cups of distilled vinegar with 2 gallons of water in a large bucket.
Then pour the solution into a garden sprayer and climb the roof with a ladder to check every area affected by moss. Spray the solution in a light rain pattern across the roof and let it soak for 20-45 minutes. For the chlorine bleach solution, mix one-quart bleach with one gallon of water and ¼ cup of heavy-duty cleaner, like trisodium phosphate.
If you want something less harsh, consider using oxygen bleach. Mix 1 cup of oxygen bleach with 1 gallon of water in a bucket and pour it into a garden sprayer. Climb up to your roof and spray the solution over all areas affected by moss. Oxygen bleach is much safer than chlorine bleach and won’t harm any desirable plants or vegetation below your roof line.
You can also make an effective moss killer using a combination of dish soap, salt, vinegar, and water. Mix 8 ounces of Dawn Ultra dish soap, 1 pound of powdered salt, 1 ½ to 3 ½ cups of white distilled vinegar, and 2 gallons of water in a bucket. Pour the solution into a garden sprayer and spray it on your roof until all the moss is covered.
Following these steps, you can get rid of moss naturally and protect your roof from further damage. Make sure to trim any thin tree branches that shade the roof before beginning this process, as well as hosing off the area beforehand to loosen up the moss.
Conclusion
Removing moss from a roof is essential to keep your roof safe and in good condition. Moss can cause moisture-related damage to roofs by trapping water and allowing the growth of lichens and fungi over time. To prevent these problems, use natural solutions such as vinegar, essential oils, household bleach or even hot water to kill the moss.
The best approach is to regularly clean your roof with these solutions and practice preventive measures such as reducing humidity and keeping downspouts, gutters, eaves, and valleys free from debris. Taking care of your roof now will help you avoid much more costly repairs in the future!