We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and enter in affiliate programme . Learn More ›
Although a moss - covered cap conjures up images of song and dance cottages , the presence of moss actually tells a real - world story of damage and neglect , not enchantment . Moss cling to a roof using small hairlike structures call rhizoids , and pretty much all it needs to thrive is spectre and moisture . Like a sponge , moss hold wet on the roof and also entrap grease and debris . All of this moisture and constituent textile can top to passing water , especially on compromised roof .
“ When you have moss [ on the roof ] and it ’s keep on that moisture , if there ’s any kind of crevice or yap in the shingle , especially in the wintertime , it will shrink and boom , ” which can potentially damage the shingle , explains Andrew Prchal ofGunner , a Connecticut - ground firm that specialise in roofing , siding , and window .
Photo: depositphotos.com
As moss grows , “ it can stimulate the bottom of the shingle to countermand , which can also head to leaking , ” adds Niki O’Brien , cognitive process managing director atCustom Exteriors , establish in Berthoud , Colorado . For these reason , roofs with unchecked organic ontogeny may receive ashorter lifespan .
If you ’re not so keen on the pouf garden face for your abode , learn how to take away moss from roofs and keep it from add up back .
Where does moss form?
Moss can grow on any cap that ’s exposed to moisture and shade , but it ’s most common on porous roofing materials , such as mineral pitch and wood shingles . While moss can grow on any type of roof , “ the least probable ceiling to regain moss on is ametal roof . Its satiny surface typically sheds pee fairly rapidly , ” O’Brien notes .
Because moss need moisture to develop , it run to show up on persistently moist surfaces , such as sections of a cap that are north - facing or shaded by trees . In addition , flat or low - pitched ceiling , which shed water more slow than steeper roofs , are more likely to accumulate wet and , as a result , moss . Not surprisingly , moss is peculiarly common in the notoriously rainy Pacific Northwest , where ceiling moss removal can seem like a regional obsession .
How to Identify Roof Moss
Moss is jolly easy to blemish . Just seem for fuzzy green clumps on your roof shingle . You may first notice it in cracks and crevice between shingles where moisture collect , providing a perfect home for spore to settle and produce . Once you ’ve spotted it , get busy take away moss from ceiling areas . It ’s bad for both your ceiling ’s integrity and your home ’s kerb appeal .
Tools & Materials
Bobvila.com may earn a commission from purchases made through these links .
Project Overview
Working Time : 1.5 hours , depending on extent of mossTotal Time : 2.5 hoursSkill grade : IntermediateEstimated price : $ 40 to $ 450 , depending on supplies on hand
Before You Begin
It ’s recommend to spray a ceiling from the crown down so water ca n’t work its fashion under the shingles . If you ca n’t do this efficaciously from a ravel , you will require to work on the roof . Call in a professional if you ’re not comfortable with summit , or with the idea ofcleaning the roofyourself .
Safety
When working on the roof , be certain to use protective gear and a safety forget me drug or harness . Always be the education for safety equipment , and expend a firmly attachedroof keystone bracketthat ’s appropriate for your ceiling case .
Wear shoes with adhesive friction , and be careful not to damage the roof as you take the air around . ( This is of particular fear with metallic element roofs ; even humble pebbles or other scratchy materials catch in your horseshoe tread can scratch metal Earth’s surface . ) Finally , grab a friend so you have someone to hold the ladder , reach up supplies , and get help in case of emergency brake .
Cleaning Solutions
Decide which type of cleansing solution is best for your cap , and debar case that are too scratchy . “ If you ’re using the wrong materials or the haywire cleanup solutions , ” Prchal cautions , you may do harm .
DIY Moss Removers : you could coalesce up your own moss remover , although when you ’re wrestling with how to get disembarrass of moss on roof areas , it may be good to stick with products formulated specifically for use on roofs . Go - to cleaners like dish Georgia home boy and laundry soap may work , but might not be as respectable for your roof materials or nearby plantings . Some popular DIY moss killers include :
commercial-grade Moss Removers : There are premixed and mixable roof clean solutions uncommitted , which makes the process a little quicker . Some popularroof cleanersinclude :
Photo: istockphoto.com
Roof Moss Removal in 3 Steps
Some sources suggest that the near metre of the yr to polish off moss from roofs is early spring , when seasonal rainfall provide the moisture that the plant life needs . But you may remove moss from the roof at any time of yr . While you should apply moss - killing treatments in spring and fall when the flora is actively grow , it may be easier to sweep and hose moss off the ceiling when it go dormant in summertime and becomes brickly .
No matter when you do it , pick a cloudy day so the cleansing solution wo n’t evaporate too quickly , but also check that there ’s no rainfall in the prognosis .
Step 1: Remove loose moss from the roof.
After order on base hit appurtenance , start by working from top of the roof or from a ladder . Hose off the moss-grown area with water , spraying at a downward slant . Then , clear aside slack moss with a long - handled easy - bristle scrubbing brushing . Work from the top down to avoid lifting shingles , and brush softly to stave off damaging them . Work on one section at a sentence .
Pro tip : Never use a pressure automatic washer on a roof , especially not on asphalt shingles . The force of the water can strip aside the protective granules , loosen the shingle , and labor piddle between and beneath them .
Step 2: Apply a moss remover.
A light scrub in all likelihood wo n’t hit all of the moss , and even if it does , you may be left with unsightly stain . This is where chemical — either commercial or DIY solutions — total in . Cleaners can damage works and color other control surface , so unfold plastic sheeting below your employment area , or at least hose off nearby plantings and surfaces before and after you apply the solution .
Step 3: Take steps to prevent future moss growth.
depend on the approach you choose , it can take weeks or month for the moss to die off . throw roof moss removal even trickier , moss can lie dormant in ironic weather only to spring back when rain returns . Here are a few things you may do to verify moss stick around away :
When to Call a Professional for Roof Moss Removal
If you ’re not comfortable walk around on your roof , if you ’ve treated your cap and the moss just keeps hail back , or if there are parts of your cap that you ca n’t safely reach , call in the professional . They ’ll have the ripe equipment as well as access to commercial-grade - mark moss - control products that canclean your roofeffectively .
require to pay anywhere from $ 450 to $ 750 to have your roof professionally cleaned , depending on the extent of your moss problem , the size of your roof , and the types of cleaning products the job want .
This Is the Year for a Kitchen Renovation
Photo: istockphoto.com
Whether you ’re sell or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . Learn why we consider this refurbishment the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stay on budget .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
