Moss growth primarily affects shingles, and failure to remove it can cause significant problems to the entire roof. It starts with the small layers, which grow into large clumps quickly. The moss acts as a sponge to hold moisture, which causes shingle damage.
Homeowners should remove any moss on the shingles as soon as they spot signs of growth. Waiting for it to grow into larger clumps leads to more damage to the roof, which is expensive to repair. Removing the moss also increases the home’s curb appeal.
Before removing the moss, let’s first look at the consequences of not cleaning the roof.
Effects Of Moss On The Roof
The most significant sign of moss growth on a roof is green patches on the shingles. Although the small patches are not problematic, they develop further and cause more harm to the roof. Some of the problems moss growth causes are;
1. Holding moisture
Moss spreads to the other parts of the roof, covering the shingles. When it rains, the shingles don’t dry because there is no direct exposure to sunlight. Wooden shingles absorb all the moisture and rot. You will notice the rotting after removing the moss.
The moisture travels beneath the roof materials and destroys the underlayment. This causes essential elements of the roof, like insulation, to wear off. Less insulation leads to increased energy bills and could also mean more costly replacements.
2. Blocking the drainage system
Untreated moss causes a blockage to the drainage system. The loose particles get swept away down the roof and fall into the gutters when it rains—they mix with debris and leaves to clog gutters.
Clogged gutters could lead to moisture problems in the roof. Besides, it reduces the system’s lifespan, and you could require a costly replacement. The moss also obstructs water flow on a pitched roof, causing more moisture absorption to the shingles.
3. Reduce aesthetics
Moss grows into uneven green patches on the roof, reducing the aesthetics. These patches are also attractive to birds and insects, and when they play on them, the pieces become loose and fly into the air. In addition, moss particles cause allergic reactions and lead to more asthma attacks.
When To Remove Moss On The Roof
Remove all moss from the roof as soon as you spot the green patches. Leaving it to grow increases the chances of water damage on your shingles. Besides, moss reduces the home’s aesthetics and can cause health issues.
Sometimes moss appears dead, especially after a long dry period. However, some of it revive as soon as it rains. Besides, the dry moss has loose particles, which cause clogging on the gutter systems.
If you need to inspect your roof shingles for moss growth, you need to contact a professional roofer, like Roof Master & Construction, for help. You can learn more here.
Clean The Moss From Your Roof
Cleaning the moss from the roof is a step-by-step process, and you should ensure you have the right equipment to climb up the roof. These include a sturdy ladder, a roofing harness for safety, and climbing shoes.
Ensure you also use a hose garden at low pressure. High pressure can sweep the shingles away or cause spaces between shingles. You can also use a brush with soft bristles to scrub the shingles. Alternatively, hire a professional cleaner if you are unsure about your experience.
What To Avoid During Moss Removal
If you are dealing with moss for the first time, you might get the wrong advice about the removal process. Most DIY homeowners end up destroying the shingles or following steps that don’t help with moss removal. You must avoid;
1. Scrubbing
Once you climb up the roof and see how the particles are firmly attached to the granules, you might want to scrub. Although scrubbing removes the moss, it will damage the shingles by causing the granules to fall off.
Fewer granules on the shingles reduce the effectiveness of the roof. To avoid this, use a soft-bristled brush to remove the particles.
2. Apply A Lot Of Pressure
Use hose pipes with less intense pressure because a lot of pressure can break the shingles or lift them. The force also removes the shingle’s granules, reducing their performance and aesthetics. Besides, the pressure can result in leaks.
3. Choice Of Chemicals
Research on the best chemicals for cleaning moss on shingles. Some substances have a high concentration, and their bleach causes discoloring of the shingles reducing the aesthetics. Other chemicals cause corrosion of the caulking leading to leaks.
Ways To Prevent Moss Growth On The Shingles
Moss on the shingles can cause stress to homeowners because of the thought of spending money to hire professional roof cleaners or replace damaged shingles. Use these tips to protect your roof from moss and avoid such stress.
1. Remove Sources Of Shade
A wet environment makes a good breeding area for moss. To ensure the roof is entirely exposed to the sunlight, remove any shade surrounding it. This includes pruning trees over the roof so that they do not give shade. When it rains, the roof will dry within a short time.
2. Clean The Roof Regularly
Regular clean-ups and inspections ensure even the smallest moss stains get removed. Doing so will sweep away all the moss particles before breeding and spreading.
Cleaning the moss at the early stages of development also ensures other areas like underlayment and the gutters are not affected. Besides, you can DIY on a small moss spread and save on labor costs.
3. Get A Metal Strip
Homeowners with a metal strip on their roofs suffer less moss infestation. The strips are made from copper, zinc, or galvanized metal. Once you install it on the roof ridge, the strip oxidizes after some time, creating an environment that moss cannot survive.
Final Words
A moss-infested roof can lead to huge losses, like hiring a professional cleaner and replacing the entire roof. Although frequent check-ups of the roof can prevent moss growth, it is advisable to clean the roof as soon as you notice signs of moss.
